In prewar exercises, air groups could plan to attack carriers or capital ships. Under wartime fire, an attacking formation could break up before it reached those ships. Aircrews then attacked a visible target they thought they could hit, including picket cruisers or destroyers. A formation that remained intact had a better chance of reaching the carrier or capital ship.
Notable Point · 2:58:54-3:00:13
Why wartime aircrews often attacked the target they could reach
Prewar plans emphasized carriers and capital ships, but antiaircraft fire and broken formations often forced attackers to strike whatever ship presented the best opportunity.