Japanese twin-engined aircraft achieved some success at night, including against USS Chicago, but those aircraft were not flying from carriers. The distinction matters because carrier launch and recovery added another set of demands. The Fleet Air Arm began the war with comprehensive night-flying capability and tried to maintain it. That skill declined as the war continued because night flying exposed scarce aircrew to additional danger and attrition.
Notable Point · 2:01:05-2:02:07
Land-based night attacks and carrier night operations required different skills
Japanese land-based night attacks and British carrier night operations required different skills, while the Fleet Air Arm paid an attrition cost to retain the latter.