Japanese night-fighting reputation alone cannot solve the central problem of finding Birmingham. British night-fighting ability may be as good or better in early 1939. Before mature radar, reconnaissance must locate the cruiser and guide an attacking force onto a moving target. Search and tracking therefore matter as much as tactical skill or weapon performance.
Notable Point · 50:42-51:15
Night fighting and the problem of finding Birmingham
A damaged Birmingham remains difficult to locate and attack in the pre-radar conditions of 1939.