Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:57:58-1:58:36

Did capital-ship secondary batteries contribute in battle?

Secondary batteries could fight aircraft and smaller surface opponents while the main armament addressed another target.

Anti-Aircraft WarfareBattleshipsNaval GunnerySecondary Batteries
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Question

Were battleship and cruiser secondary armaments effective in battle?

Short answer

Yes, depending on the battle: they provided air defense and could engage cruisers or destroyers alongside the main battery.

Notes

Secondary batteries could make useful contributions to air defense. In surface actions, they could engage cruisers or destroyers while the capital ship fought other opponents. Battles involving Italian forces provide examples of that simultaneous work. Some engagements also saw the secondary battery fire at the main target, so its contribution depended on the action.