A heavy 150 mm battery could leave the S113 boats vulnerable despite the damage of each shell. The exposed crew and fittings of a small destroyer could be suppressed by the enemy's greater volume of fire before the German guns answered effectively. A hypothetical twin-88 mm fit performed better in the cited simulations because it doubled the number of barrels and suited the short engagement range. At close quarters, rapid shell output matters more than the long-range precision advantages of a heavier weapon. A single-shot rifle facing a submachine gun at 15 yards illustrates the problem: both shooters ride moving carousels, so the slower weapon requires exceptional accuracy every time. Naval firepower here depends on firing opportunity and hit volume as much as caliber.
Notable Point · 39:22-42:49
Why close-range destroyer combat favors rapid fire
The S113 armament critique becomes a general destroyer-gunnery lesson: in a close, chaotic screen action, many quickly fired shells can matter more than a few heavy hits.