On 3 February, the Japanese lost five G4M bombers from an abortive attack on Halsey's fleet, including one carrying Lieutenant Commander Genichi Mihara, commander of the 705th Air Group.
Den 3. februar mistede japanerne fem G4M bombefly under et fejlslagent angreb på Halseys flåde, herunder et med orlogskaptajn Genichi Mihara, chefen for 705. luftgruppe.