The Cape Matapan example shows illumination serving a psychological as well as a visual purpose. At extremely close range, the searchlight exposed the target's bridge and superstructure immediately before British gunfire. Its glare could blind and shock the enemy at the moment the heavier ships opened fire. The effect formed part of a night attack designed to overwhelm resistance before the target could react coherently.
Notable Point · 1:13:43-1:14:56
Searchlight shock at Cape Matapan
At Cape Matapan, a searchlight did more than reveal the target: its sudden glare helped shock and disorient an enemy about to be hit at point-blank range.