Messina - Catanzaro

[lav72]

Looking for some answers since I could not find the information elsewhere in the forum(s).

I just completed the Messina scenario in the Grand Campaign '42-'43 West. To my horror, my auxiliary units did not make it to Catanzaro even though I got a DV in Messina.

I assumed from previous messages that auxiliary units would carry over from one scenario to the next. (even though I've gone back to look at the scenario message for Messina and it does not mention that auxiliary units would carry over to the next scenario - so that may very well be my answer)

I guess my question is whether I did something wrong or not ...

It would not be as upsetting had I not upgraded my Italian tanks to better ones, thus leaving me short of prestige for Catanzaro.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

Aux units will only carry over if they 'escaped' through the Iron-Cross-Arrow hexes commonly found at map edges. Otherwise you will lose them. If a scenario has no escape hexes then you cannot save your auxillaries, so don't bother trying.

Also, why would you upgrade aux units anyway? Wouldn't it be better to upgrade your core forces to Tigers anyway?

- BNC

[lav72]

Thanks for the reply.

I did upgrade my core units but had extra prestige so thinking the Italian forces were in for the long haul ...

I should have paid more attention ... d'Oh!

lav

[proline]

Thanks for the reply.

I did upgrade my core units but had extra prestige so thinking the Italian forces were in for the long haul ...

I should have paid more attention ... d'Oh!

lav

Just to be clear, escaping units from previous missions will not help you in Catanzaro... because they turn on you! It does help with Etna line and Messina. Typically at the start of Messina I sell off all Italian units over and above what I need to get the DV and the reward air units (Ta-152 and some bomber). I'm not sure if the Italians that attack in Catanzaro are your exact units or generic AI ones, but just to be sure you should probably sell of the tanks, good infantry, air, and other stuff that could hurt you.

[lav72]

Oh ... thanks for the help and the heads up on Catanzaro.

[proline]

Oh ... thanks for the help and the heads up on Catanzaro.

I just tried that scenario and it looks like the Italians you need to kill off are the same generic ones every play through, and not the Italians that are left in your core. The latter seem to simply disappear without a word.

[Scholomancer]

Hmm, maybe I did not get the right patch, but I was able to carry my Italian auxiliaries up until the end. I deployed enough to get the DV at Messina, but I still had a bunch of units in my deployment screen. Much like V2s I could deploy them but they would then not carry over to the next scenario if I did. I waited until Berlin to deploy them, and then got Italian Panthers and Brumbars rolling in the streets of Berlin, lol!

[proline]

Hmm, maybe I did not get the right patch, but I was able to carry my Italian auxiliaries up until the end. I deployed enough to get the DV at Messina, but I still had a bunch of units in my deployment screen. Much like V2s I could deploy them but they would then not carry over to the next scenario if I did. I waited until Berlin to deploy them, and then got Italian Panthers and Brumbars rolling in the streets of Berlin, lol!

Old patch or PC != iPad I guess.

[hugh2711]

an alternative approach:
I rescue as many italian items from messina? as possible , then upgrade them for free (inexperienced). I then sell most of them for the prestige as the prestige is vital (particularly to buff up your air force) I keep a few of the artilliary and a mountain troop but the rest are pretty useless for a sceanrio (or two?). I also keep one italian recon for the scenario where you have to evacuate them across the strait as: although you already 'own' the hexes on the mainland you will find you get prestige for (re) taking them with and the italian recon is ideal being the cheapest unit with good movement. By that scanario I have already sold all the other italian units. It does however mean you cant get a DV in that scenario but I think the prestige you otherwise get from selling more than makes up for it.