Guadalcanal exposed Atlanta's role mismatch

Dido's 5.25-inch gun gave it a clearer surface-fire advantage over destroyers than Atlanta's 5-inch/38. Atlanta performed well at Midway, but at Guadalcanal her cruiser silhouette and assignment brought her into a surface action for which her armament offered too little reach and weight. Juneau accumulated battle and torpedo damage, while Reno survived a torpedo hit through very good damage control. The criticism concerns the combat expectations attached to a cruiser carrying a weapon otherwise highly valued for destroyer and anti-aircraft work. The surviving Atlantas entered reserve after the war and were never reactivated.