Slitherine

Playing GC 42-43 West, I chose the Catanzaro-Taranto Campaign path because I sold too many Italian units for prestige after Syracuse and thus had not enough units to score a decisive victory at Messina. Out of curiosity, I also began Salerno Landing (without deploying any units) just to learn more about the scenarios I would miss. So after my calculated defeat at Salerno Landing, I expected to see Salerno Counter Attack, because the Campaign Path says so - but I came out at Volturno. So I guess this means that you need a victory at Salerno Landing to get to the Counter Attack? If so, the published Campaign Path is faulty in this respect.

I don't know if it is faulty, but to me it seems logical that you could perform a counterattack only if you won defensive mission. Counter attacking after a loss seems quite illogical.

I just finished Syracuse. I disbanded a few Italian units but only 3 out 20.

The mission where Italian ground units are needed the most is Messina. So don't disband too many of them. For Messina you should have at least 22-23 ground units. AT LEAST 3-4 to hold your ground while other 18 have are transported to Italian mainland. If you fail to do this and get a DV the rest of campaign may be really unpleasant and vice verse.

How many Italians do you need for this Messina mission anyway?

You have to evacuate 18 ground units (core and / or support, German and / or Italian) to the mainland for a decisive victory. As most of your German units are needed to hold the front, you should get as close to 18 Italian units as you possibly can.

As I am apparantly unable to get to Salerno Counter Attack without winning Salerno Landing (which is nearly impossible with my current points and units), could someone please tell me the start date and the victory conditions of Salerno Counter Attack, just for the record?