Sentaro Omori had commanded destroyers, developed torpedo expertise, and led the destroyer screen of the Pearl Harbor strike force before taking cruiser command. He was later relieved for withdrawing at Empress Augusta Bay from what was judged an inferior opponent. The balance of forces challenges that judgment. Four radar-directed American light cruisers and eight destroyers were at least an even opponent, and in this assessment a superior one, to the Japanese heavy and light cruisers with six destroyers. Preserving his force by withdrawing is therefore defended as a sensible response to the actual combat balance.
Notable Point · 40:00-42:11
Omori's retreat reflected the balance of force at night
Although Omori was later relieved for withdrawing, radar-equipped American cruisers and destroyers made his opponent more formidable than a simple ship count suggests.