Chasing the fall of shot was a recurring Royal Navy practice rather than an isolated improvisation. A ship watched where an enemy salvo landed and manoeuvred in relation to that pattern before the next corrected salvo arrived. The Battle of the River Plate and other running engagements show the doctrine in use, while the idea was discussed from the early battlecruiser era. A battle line removed this protection mechanism by preventing independent course changes.
Notable Point · 1:16:57-1:17:19
Chasing the fall of shot in Royal Navy manoeuvre doctrine
Royal Navy ships could manoeuvre toward the observed fall of an enemy salvo, changing course before the opponent's correction arrived.