Tanaka's force mixed very new Yūgumo-class ships with Kagerō- and Shiratsuyu-class destroyers, giving Destroyer Squadron 2 a capable modern force. Its escort and transport divisions had different immediate tasks within the supply operation. The heavy aft gun arrangement supported a tactical sequence of torpedo attack, retirement under smoke and gunfire, and rearming for another strike. This helps make sense of why destroyers, rather than cruisers, were central to the Japanese operation.
Chapter · 34:18-38:54
Japanese destroyers built for torpedo attack
The Japanese force combined newer destroyers with an armament layout designed to launch torpedoes, withdraw behind smoke, and return to attack.