Prewar exercises create an incentive problem. Pilots score more prestige or exercise value by attacking a capital ship, so destroyers appear safer than they may be in combat. A wartime pilot who faces real danger is more likely to choose the vulnerable target that offers the best chance of survival. German emphasis on dive bombers and torpedo bombers would expose that confirmation bias quickly. Britain could answer by fitting the Tribal class's after position with a twin 4-inch high-angle mounting earlier and by ordering a dedicated anti-aircraft destroyer batch before the wartime emergency.
Notable Point · 1:34:43-1:36:50
Exercises conceal the danger to destroyers
Pilots chase high-value capital ships in exercises, but in war they may attack the easier destroyer, strengthening the case for twin 4-inch high-angle weapons.