Fletchers supplied the numbers around which a destroyer screen could be formed. Sumners added more fighting power to that existing force. An opponent capable of pushing aside a Fletcher-only screen would face a harder problem when Sumners joined it. A modest increase in individual-ship strength could reinforce a force whose numbers still depended on Fletchers.
Notable Point · 32:41-33:22
Sumner firepower reinforced a screen built around Fletcher numbers
A mixed destroyer screen combines Fletcher availability with the additional firepower of Sumners.