The historical transit places the likely clash about three hours before dawn. That timing lets the American battle line exploit radar and position much as Oldendorf did at Surigao Strait, with destroyers keeping Japanese ships away from the battleships. A daylight action would give Japanese destroyers and Long Lance torpedoes more room, but would also let nearby American carrier aircraft assemble larger strikes against Center Force. Kongo and Haruna would probably be lost, while Nagato or even Yamato might also be sunk. The exact result remains uncertain.
Notable Point · 1:05:24-1:08:03
A night ambush could destroy Center Force
A 3 a.m. encounter favors Lee's radar-directed battleships, while a daylight action would give Japanese torpedoes more room and invite massed American air attack.