Germany misjudged which gun characteristics would matter most in a destroyer action. A large manually loaded weapon offered long-range punch, but a destroyer manoeuvring at close range had limited stability and little time to exploit it. Rate of fire and the ability to place shells across an opponent's probable path could outweigh the effect of one larger shell. Faster-firing lighter guns could keep firing through the violent turns of a close engagement. The comparison with distant missile-age combat shows how poorly the heavy-gun choice matched the actual fighting conditions.
Notable Point · 5:03-7:21
Why bigger guns could handicap a destroyer
A 150 mm armament promised range and punch, but unstable close-range destroyer actions rewarded faster-firing lighter guns.