I believe most of Oldendorf's destroyers had used up their torpedoes at Surigao Strait The only destroyers left with torpedoes were the ones screening the battle line. The DDs without torpedoes can still screen the BBs and cruisers. Japanese torpedoes and the threat of them could still be a problem. The US battleships present a good target; the threat of approaching torpedoes could be enough to disrupt the US formations. IIRC, California and Tennessee had a near collision at Surigao Strait due to a torpedo sighting.
This hypothetical battle would be a day action? That should make the odds less in the 7th fleet's favor, I think.
By the way, Anthony Tully has written a book about Surigao Strait. https://ww2db.com/surigao/
This hypothetical battle would be a day action? That should make the odds less in the 7th fleet's favor, I think.
By the way, Anthony Tully has written a book about Surigao Strait. https://ww2db.com/surigao/