Irregular Map Configurations

[triangular_cube]

I cant seem to get Vassal to load irregular map configurations correctly. I'm not sure if this is a design limitation or if I am doing something wrong. Is there a way to load up, for example, Battle of the Bulge # 19 where maps are configured;

XMM
MMX 

where M= a map and X=no map?

Entering that in seems to always result in vassal dropping the first column, presumably because the first row, first column is empty. 

There are all kinds of other odd configurations in BotB, but that more or less was dropped from later modules. 

I guess if all else fails and i can load maps in the unused slots and then mark them as out of play on the board.