Operation C remains awkward to classify because it was neither a clear defeat nor a victory, but a missed opportunity. Somerville brought an outnumbered Eastern Fleet within roughly 100 miles of the Japanese force, close to the night strike envisioned by 1920s and 1930s doctrine. His decision not to renew the attempt after learning the enemy's full strength was understandable. It nevertheless frustrated a service culture that celebrated winning while outnumbered and wanted a decisive battle for its own generation. The ambiguous outcome also helps explain why the episode receives less teaching attention than either an instructive defeat or a celebrated victory.
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Operation C and the missed night strike
Somerville came close to the nighttime carrier attack for which interwar British doctrine had prepared, then declined to renew the attempt after learning the odds.