Mikawa exploits Japanese night-fighting doctrine

Mikawa brought his column down the Slot and used the island geography to approach the Allied screens in favorable conditions. A night action exploited Imperial Japanese Navy training in visual coordination, long-range torpedo attack, and concentrated gunnery. His flagship Chokai led into the battle, drove farthest south, and remained at the front as the formation withdrew. Mikawa's force followed doctrine by closing aggressively, launching many torpedoes, firing hard, and then breaking contact before the situation changed. His personal position first into the fight and last out also illustrates the forward command style expected of him.