American carrier support makes a night air strike attractive because a surface action would expose the Allied fleet to powerful Japanese torpedoes. British experience with the torpedoes built for Nelson and Rodney informs the concern about Japanese torpedo range and effectiveness. Renown and Prince of Wales have radar and gunnery capabilities suited to night action, while Repulse has received less extensive modernization. One possible sequence sends aircraft in first, then surface ships while the Japanese are dealing with the attack and its damage. If reconnaissance establishes only the enemy's general approach, separate British and American task forces could instead face an initial Japanese strike followed by a counterattack from the other Allied group.
Chapter · 1:09:39-1:11:58
Choosing a night air strike or a radar-assisted surface action
British commanders could attack with aircraft at night, exploit radar in a surface battle, or combine the two.