How does the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal change if South Dakota suffers no electrical failures?
Short answerA functioning South Dakota could engage alongside Washington, but the timing of detection and Kirishima's close-range fire remain dangers.
NotesSouth Dakota's electrical failures left her unable to use much of her armament effectively while the Japanese concentrated fire on her. The discussion counts twenty-seven hits and stresses that she survived even with those restrictions. If her power and sensors worked, she could engage alongside Washington and make Kirishima's position much worse. That outcome still depends on seeing and identifying the opponent in time. A participant cautions that Kirishima's 14-inch guns remain dangerous at close range, so the absence of an electrical failure does not remove every uncertainty from a night battle.