The objection to cruiser-caliber carrier guns concerns the decisions they encourage. Six- or 8-inch weapons may give a commander false confidence that the carrier can remain near a surface action instead of using speed and distance to preserve aviation power. The Royal Navy's wartime examples include losing one carrier in a surface engagement and another remaining in the firing line at Cape Matapan. In the Matapan account, the carrier fired its 4.5-inch guns while admirals urged it away from the fighting. The resulting design preference is to avoid armament that encourages a carrier commander to accept a cruiser-style gunfight.
Notable Point · 22:24-23:38
Heavy guns tempt carriers into the wrong fight
Giving a carrier cruiser-caliber guns can encourage commanders to accept surface action instead of using speed and distance to preserve aviation power.