British reconnaissance located the Japanese force, but one aircraft may have reported a reciprocal course or transmitted just before Nagumo reversed direction. The Eastern Fleet consequently searched away from its target and the two forces passed within roughly one hundred miles at night. Japanese carriers lacked an organized night-fighter defence, while British aircraft were trained and equipped to attack in darkness. A correct report would therefore have offered the smaller force the first strike despite its severe numerical disadvantage. What happened after that opening blow would still have depended on damage, renewed searches, and the arrival of daylight.
Chapter · 1:08:03-1:10:41
The missed night strike against Kido Butai
A stale or reciprocal course report sent the British search the wrong way when the two carrier forces were only about one hundred miles apart.