The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence account gives the destroyer clash only a small place within the operation. It devotes far more attention to the bombardment plan, its execution, and its results than to the brief surface action. The surface clash briefly interrupted an attack directed against Japanese airfield facilities. The larger mission reveals the routine operational system behind the famous tactical victory.
Chapter · 22:09-23:59
Blackett Strait was secondary to the bombardment mission
The famous night action interrupted a larger American bombardment mission against Munda and Vila Stanmore.