In the simulated battleship action, the Japanese force remains at long range in an attempt to limit damage. That choice leaves it unable to answer the British 18-inch guns. The British ships divide their fire between two targets before combining against the remaining vessel. A damaged survivor eventually charges and reaches 9.2-inch-gun range, but by then it faces four undamaged opponents. An early coordinated approach by all three Japanese ships is judged preferable, while they were still undamaged. The tactical problem is reaching a distance at which their own weapons can influence the fight.
Notable Point · 2:43:47-2:50:42
Why an outranged battleship force may need to close early
A simulated range mismatch shows how staying at maximum distance can preserve neither safety nor combat power when only one side can reply.