Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 47:23-48:08

Armor must survive the first hit, not every hit

A useful rule of thumb for battleship protection is that armor should resist an initial hit from comparable guns, while repeated impacts change the problem.

BattlecruisersBattleshipsNaval ArmourNaval Gunnery
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Question

How much immunity from a ship's own guns separates a battleship from a battlecruiser?

Short answer

The protection should survive the first comparable hit; repeated hits can progressively damage an armor area and eventually penetrate it.

Notes

A ship cannot be made invulnerable to repeated strikes on the same spot. The first impact may loosen fittings, damage armor plate, and reduce protection in that area. A second or third hit can then penetrate where an initial shell could not. Rate and volume of fire therefore matter alongside nominal penetration figures.