Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:32:36-1:33:01

Proximity fuzes and the ammunition a cruiser actually carried

Late-war British cruisers may have had proximity-fuzed 4-inch ammunition, though supply often determined what shells were actually aboard.

Anti Aircraft ArtilleryNaval LogisticsProximity FuzesRoyal Navy
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Question

Did British cruiser 4-inch anti-aircraft guns use proximity fuzes late in the Second World War?

Short answer

Probably, but not every ship necessarily received the latest ammunition when supplies were limited.

Notes

British 4-inch anti-aircraft guns probably gained access to proximity-fuzed ammunition late in the Second World War. Availability on paper did not guarantee that every cruiser carried the newest shells. Supply problems could leave a ship with older ammunition even after an improved type entered service. The answer remains tentative on the exact distribution and draws a useful distinction between authorized equipment and stocks aboard an individual ship.