Torpedo bombers affect a fleet much as defensive fighters disrupt an incoming air raid. Ships must turn onto divergent evasive courses as torpedo aircraft approach from different bearings. Those maneuvers reduce mutual support and break the geometry of the formation. Dive-bombers and fighters can then attack ships that have been separated or forced onto predictable headings.
Notable Point · 3:52:33-3:53:09
Torpedo bombers as formation-breaking weapons
Even before scoring a hit, torpedo bombers force ships to maneuver and can open a formation to follow-on dive-bomber and fighter attacks.