[SAMWolf]

I believe he was up North chasing down some empty carriers.

One of the few times the Japanese over-complication of planning worked (in part)

[colorado tanker]

I believe he was up North chasing down some empty carriers.

That was my recollection too. One of the few times Halsey screwed up.

[colorado tanker]

One of the few times the Japanese over-complication of planning worked (in part)

True. Fortunately, the Japanese commander was not daring or aggressive, unlike the American destroyer commander, or they would have done a lot more damage to the carriers and the rest of the invasion fleet.