A second illumination arrangement emerged after the planned floatplane support failed to appear. Cole understood that the leading destroyers could fire star shells to light the Japanese ships, then increase speed and clear the cruisers' field of fire. That substitution added another task to vessels already responsible for finding the enemy and launching the opening torpedo attack. An apparently simple battle plan had accumulated dependencies and improvised steps before the main gun action began.
Notable Point · 1:02:17-1:02:56
Destroyer star shells become an improvised substitute
With the floatplanes absent, Cole's destroyers were expected to illuminate targets themselves before accelerating away from the cruiser gun line.