Considering the damage to the ship, the near-annihilation of Nishimura’s force, and the deteriorating visibility at sea level, Mori argued that it would be suicidal to keep advancing. A trap had been laid for them: “Admiral,” he said, “up ahead the enemy must be waiting for us with open arms.”27 Shima, convinced, decided to call it a night. He radioed Toyoda: “This force has concluded its attack and is retiring from the battle area in order to plan subsequent action.”28 Samuel Eliot Morison called Shima’s decision “the most intelligent act of any Japanese commander in the entire battle.”
