Admiral turner was furious when he learned admiral fletcher's plan to withdraw from the war. Turner called it "nothing less than desertion" Historian cragel simons: The japanese are wonderful night fighters. They've put a lot of effort an training, and they have a lot of pride. And surprise attacks by their navi's been a source of pride for them since at least the turn of the century. A torpedo blows off the bow of the chicago before they even figure out what's going on.