British and Japanese reasons for night fighting

Royal Navy forces in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, or Pacific could be outnumbered until reinforcements arrived. Night and bad-weather fighting gave those local forces a way to act while avoiding an enemy's strongest daylight conditions. The approach extended across surface ships and aviation, with Somerville's intended night air attack during Operation C used as an example. Japan emphasized destroyer attacks and Long Lance torpedoes to reduce an approaching American battle fleet before a decisive engagement. Similar tactical skills therefore served different operational plans. British commanders sought ways for dispersed forces to fight until concentration, while Japanese doctrine sought to wear down the fleet coming towards them.