Ammunition flow limits practical warship armament

What important unknown emerged during doctoral research?

Ammunition supply can make apparently usable gun positions ineffective in sustained action.

During doctoral research, Alex Clarke was surprised by how strongly ammunition movement limited warship armament. Light guns in exposed positions could not necessarily be resupplied in action. Once their ready-use ammunition ran out, crews could remain exposed with guns they could no longer use. This concern informs his preference for heavier 40 mm close-in weapons and his warning that modern ships could repeat the Second World War practice of adding light mounts without adequate ammunition provision. Sustained fire depends on supply routes and ready-use stowage as well as the number of guns.