The IJA pilots are just barely able to keep the Marines off the Mavises for long enough to prevent their total annihilation. The Japanese pilots are surprised to see the Cactus air force joined by P-38 Lightnings of the USAF, having just arrived in from the New Hebrides, warding off the Nells with precise bursts of their machine guns and 20mm cannon. (Nell requires Ronson Roll) (AirDiv3 arrived in J22 at exactly 13:00)
The IJN and IJA flight crews were happy to see their squadrons successfully meet up on time. The new American heavy fighters were a terrible surprise. The H6K's jettisoned their bombs and dove for the sea as their IJA escorts mixed it up with the Marines. The IJN land-based bombers, driving in unsupported against an undefended target, found themselves in a desperate struggle for survival.
Afterwards the Japanese air crews would count their survivors and pray thanks that more weren't lost.