Royal Navy destroyers were expected to fight through enemy screens and open opportunities for torpedo attacks. At night, fires started by shell hits on enemy capital ships could provide aiming points for torpedoes. The 4.7-inch weapon's shell effect, handling, and rate of fire served that surface doctrine very well. Its separated ammunition also eased manual handling during sustained surface action. Its mountings generally lacked the elevation and powered features needed for effective air defense under interwar displacement limits. Even the Mark 11 installation on the L and M classes reached only 50 degrees of elevation.
Chapter · 38:30-41:38
The 4.7-inch gun and British destroyer tactics
Britain's 4.7-inch gun suited close destroyer actions, torpedo attacks, reconnaissance, and night fighting but was difficult to make fully dual purpose within treaty weights.