I le 23:43, Aoba's lookouts sighted Scott's force almost completely by surprise, but Gotō assumed that they were Jojima's ships. Two minutes later, Aoba's lookouts identified the ships as American, but Gotō remained skeptical and directed his ships to flash identification signals. As Aoba's crew executed Gotō's order, the first American salvo smashed into Aoba's superstructure. Passage: Gotō's force was taken almost completely by surprise. I le 23:43, Aoba's lookouts sighted Scott's force, but Gotō assumed that they were Jojima's ships. Lua minute mulimuli ane, Aoba's lookouts identified the ships as American, but Gotō remained skeptical and directed his ships to flash identification signals. A o le auvaa a Aoba na faatinoina le poloaiga a Gotō, o le muamua Amerika salvo na taia ai le fausaga o Aoba.
Aoba