The 1939 organization shows how completely the battle force had changed since 1923. The Brooklyn class supplied modern light-cruiser screening strength and USS Honolulu served as cruiser flagship, while Omaha-class ships remained useful as screens and destroyer leaders. These cruisers protected the fleet's movement and gave its destroyer formations heavier gun support. The heavy concentration of six-inch guns on the Omahas makes more sense when viewed through that destroyer-leader mission, even if their arrangement remained awkward.
Chapter · 23:06-25:04
Brooklyn and Omaha cruisers in the 1939 battle force
By 1939 the battle force used the Brooklyn class for fleet screening while Omahas served in screening and destroyer-leader roles.