Pensacola - the cowardly cruiser!

[Knavey]

Legit game vs. AI (disclaimer for those in the know!)...just messing around trying to stop Tarawa invasion with the only thing close at the beginning of the war.

Tried it on 12/9 and got these results

Day Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 136,128, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Santos Maru
xAKL Toyotsu Maru
xAK Aratama Maru
xAKL Katsura Maru
xAKL Kaito Maru
xAKL Tenposan Maru

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards...
Allied TF attempts to evade combat... (UMMM-You are a CRUISER vs. a bunch of rusty troops transports!)
Range increases to 30,000 yards......
Range increases to 30,000 yards......
Both Task Forces evade combat...


So I sent her back the next night with these results!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 136,125, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CM Tokiwa
CM Okinoshima
DD Asanagi
DD Yunagi
PB Nagata Maru
xAK Tenyo Maru
xAK Kamikaze Maru

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola



Reduced sighting due to 57% moonlight...
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 57% moonlight: 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards......
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards...
Japanese ships attempt to get underway...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards...
Both TF attempt to withdraw!...(UMMMMM! YOU ARE A CRUISER VS. ANCHORED TROOP TRANSPORTS!!!!!)
Range increases to 12,000 yards......
Range increases to 12,000 yards......
Both Task Forces evade combat...

And then, the valor of the Allied fleets finally comes out even if it is thousands of miles away from the cowardly CA!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 82,82, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Busho Maru
PB Keiko Maru, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
xAK Kizan Maru
xAKL Kofuku Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Konan Maru
xAKL Nanko Maru
xAK Minryo Maru
xAK Shozan Maru
xAKL Turusima Maru
xAKL Tainichi Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Tofuku Maru
xAK Tosei Maru
xAKL Nichiryo Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Fukkai Maru
xAKL Totai Maru
xAKL Bichu Maru
xAKL Ryuto Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Horai Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru

Allied Ships
DD Thracian

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (6 destroyed, 4 disabled)



Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight...
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 28% moonlight: 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards......
Range closes to 8,000 yards......
Range closes to 6,000 yards......
Range closes to 4,000 yards......
Range closes to 2,000 yards......
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards...
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian launches Torpedoes at PB Keiko Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages PB Keiko Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAKL Nichiryo Maru at 2,000 yards...
Range increases to 3,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages PB Keiko Maru at 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages PB Keiko Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAP Rakuyo Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages PB Keiko Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages PB Keiko Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages PB Keiko Maru at 2,000 yards...
xAP Takatiho Maru , xAP Horai Maru , xAP Rakuyo Maru , ...
xAK Tosei Maru , xAK Tofuku Maru screened from combat...
- escorted by PB Keiko Maru...
DD Thracian engages xAKL Nichiryo Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAP Rakuyo Maru at 2,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages PB Keiko Maru at 2,000 yards...
Range increases to 3,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAKL Nichiryo Maru at 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
PB Keiko Maru sunk by DD Thracian at 2,000 yards...
Powers, A.L. orders Allied TF to disengage...
Range increases to 3,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAKL Tainichi Maru at 3,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAKL Kofuku Maru at 3,000 yards...
Range increases to 8,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAKL Tainichi Maru at 8,000 yards...
DD Thracian engages xAKL Tainichi Maru at 8,000 yards...
Task forces break off......

[TOMLABEL]

Same EXACT thing happened to me!!!![:@][:@][:@][;)] (pretending I'm not in 'the know').

[loricas]

check commander

[wild_Willie2]

And Pensacola's ammo...

[goodboyladdie]

I have noticed similar instances since I last patched. Each time I have found an Ensign in command!

[Cribtop]

I had the same thing happen with an IJN VADM in command.

Were there multiple task forces present at Tarawa? That seems to cause this behavior. I would send the devs a save on this.

[SuluSea]

The Portland's CO will get some however. [;)] 

[Knavey]

Seems to be a decent commander...good stats from what I can see. Full ammo loadout.

Just ran the turn again with some changes in the way I had the Pensacolas orders setup. Made her homeport Tarawa with a react of 6. Same results.

[Knavey]

It does look like multiple TFs for the IJN since there are different ships on the combat results from the different days.

[goodboyladdie]

If the leader is good, I do not understand why she avoided battle. A bit worrying, as I can't remember seeing this behaviour before they "fixed" PTs. Perhaps there is some fall-out in the surface combat code?

[Knavey]

Got the save if anyone wants to play with it.

[Yakface]

Your problem was that you were asking the Pensacola to engage multiple transports.   I can't get whole TF's of BB's and CA's to engage single transports:
 
 
Japanese Ships
      BB Kongo
      BB Haruna
      CA Takao
      CA Atago
      CL Jintsu
      DD Asashio
      DD Oshio
      DD Michishio
      DD Arashio
      DD Akatsuki
 
Allied Ships
      xAKL Corregidor
 
 
 
Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

[SuluSea]

I have the same event but mine was in 57% moonlight-

I mentioned Portland off memory because it was a few turns ago but now see it was the Louisville's skipper [:)].

Heres the AAR for both vessels on the same turn at

Makin----> Louisville

Tarawa---->Pensacola

Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 136,125, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
     CM Tokiwa, Shell hits 4,  on fire
     CM Okinoshima, Shell hits 2,  on fire
     DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1,  heavy fires
     DD Yunagi, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
     PB Nagata Maru, Shell hits 1
     xAK Tenyo Maru, Shell hits 3
     xAK Kamikaze Maru, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
     CA Louisville, Shell hits ---(some)[;)]

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!...
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway...
Reduced sighting due to 57% moonlight...
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 57% moonlight: 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards......
Range closes to 8,000 yards......
Range closes to 6,000 yards......
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards...
DD Yunagi engages CA Louisville at 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages DD Yunagi at 4,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Tokiwa at 4,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages xAK Tenyo Maru at 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
DD Yunagi sunk by CA Louisville at 2,000 yards...
Range increases to 3,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Tokiwa at 3,000 yards...
DD Asanagi engages CA Louisville at 3,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Okinoshima at 3,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages xAK Kamikaze Maru at 3,000 yards...
Range increases to 4,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Okinoshima at 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages DD Asanagi at 3,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Tokiwa at 3,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Okinoshima at 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Okinoshima at 2,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Tokiwa at 2,000 yards...
Range increases to 3,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages DD Asanagi at 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages DD Asanagi at 2,000 yards...
Range increases to 3,000 yards...
Range increases to 4,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages DD Asanagi at 4,000 yards...
Range increases to 6,000 yards...
CM Okinoshima  screened from combat...
CA Louisville engages DD Asanagi at 6,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages CM Tokiwa at 6,000 yards...
CM Okinoshima  screened from combat...
CA Louisville engages xAK Tenyo Maru at 6,000 yards...
CM Okinoshima ,  CM Tokiwa  screened from combat...
- escorted by DD Asanagi...
CA Louisville engages PB Nagata Maru at 6,000 yards...
Range increases to 8,000 yards...
CM Okinoshima ,  CM Tokiwa  screened from combat...
- escorted by DD Asanagi...
CA Louisville engages PB Nagata Maru at 8,000 yards...
CA Louisville engages xAK Kamikaze Maru at 8,000 yards...
Range increases to 9,000 yards...
CM Okinoshima ,  CM Tokiwa ,  xAK Kamikaze Maru  screened from combat...
- escorted by DD Asanagi...
CA Louisville engages xAK Tenyo Maru at 9,000 yards...
Rice P. orders Allied TF to disengage...
Rice P. orders Allied TF to disengage...
Task forces break off......

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 136,128, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
     PB Santos Maru
     xAKL Toyotsu Maru
     xAK Aratama Maru
     xAKL Katsura Maru
     xAKL Kaito Maru
     xAKL Tenposan Maru

Allied Ships
     CA Pensacola



Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!...
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway...
Reduced sighting due to 57% moonlight...
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 57% moonlight: 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards......
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards...
Both TF attempt to withdraw!...
Range increases to 12,000 yards......
Range increases to 12,000 yards......
Both Task Forces evade combat...

I hope the crew of the Pensacola doesn't start singing "Ol' yellowstain." [:D]

[JVSFugitive]

Could it be that, given the spotting ranges are very long and at or near the maximum visibility given the conditions, that the lookouts failed to identify the Japanese ships as merchants and assumed they were more potent vessels? I noticed that the spotting range from the first engagement was 30,000 yards (max visibility 30,000 yards). The second engagement was at night with spotting occurring at 10,000 yards (max visibility 12,000 yards). The third engagement at which combat does occur is at 2,000 yards, no mistaking ship types.

[RevRick]

Hmmm. Makes me glad to have this guy in command.....



Night Time Surface Combat, near Talaud Island at 84,96, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 3
DD Mutsuki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Case



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight...
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards......
Range closes to 1,000 yards......
Bedilion, R. crosses the 'T'...
DD Mutsuki sunk by DD Case at 1,000 yards...
Range increases to 2,000 yards...
DD Case engages CA Suzuya at 2,000 yards...
Bedilion, R. orders Allied TF to disengage...
Range increases to 6,000 yards...
CA Suzuya engages DD Case at 6,000 yards...
Range increases to 8,000 yards...
DD Case engages CA Suzuya at 8,000 yards...
CA Chokai engages DD Case at 8,000 yards...
DD Mikazuki engages DD Case at 8,000 yards...
Task forces break off......


Sounds like it's time to promote this guy, and get him in line for at least a cruiser!!!

[Richard III]

Send her in with " Bombardment " orders and see what happens ?

[John Lansford]

I've got Pensacola working with some Aussie and RN ships out of Darwin and in a TF she's doing just fine.  I didn't have her intercept the Tarawa landings but did send Louisville to visit the Makin invasion.  Portland and two DD's also raided the Wake invasion and found herself in a messy fight with about 30 different ships.  Even merchant ships get a hit or two if there's enough of them...

[JWE]

Don't ya'll dare to be messin with my USS Pensacola. I'm an old Gulf Coast boy and since we couldn't have a USS Tampa, I adopted the Pensacola as the next best thing. I even put a pixel dot of me on the icon.

Ya'll be dissin my baby and I might get upset. I might get upset enuf to turn her into a super Boise with Halsey as the skipper. And speakin of Boise, what the heck? Boise??? Boise is in frikkin Idaho!!! Oh yeah, right!! A ship named for potatoes is gonna do the deed, while Pensacola shows the yellow stain?? Not in my lifetime.

[Knavey]

That was a yellow flag if I ever saw one in a set of combat reports!

[SuluSea]

ORIGINAL: JWE

Don't ya'll dare to be messin with my USS Pensacola. I'm an old Gulf Coast boy and since we couldn't have a USS Tampa, I adopted the Pensacola as the next best thing. I even put a pixel dot of me on the icon.

Ya'll be dissin my baby and I might get upset. I might get upset enuf to turn her into a super Boise with Halsey as the skipper. And speakin of Boise, what the heck? Boise??? Boise is in frikkin Idaho!!! Oh yeah, right!! A ship named for potatoes is gonna do the deed, while Pensacola shows the yellow stain?? Not in my lifetime.

[:D][:'(] [;)] Sorry John.