Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Notable Point · 39:25-41:44

Why shell volume mattered with long flight times

With a 6-inch shell taking roughly 21 seconds to reach a target at 18 kilometres, more rounds improved the chance of hitting a maneuvering cruiser.

4.7-inch Guns5.25-inch Guns6-inch GunsBattle Of Cape BonBattle Of Cape SpartiventoBattle Of The River PlateFire ControlFirst Battle Of SirteNaval GunnerySecond Battle Of SirteTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)World War II
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Notes

At 18 kilometres, the stated flight time for a 6-inch shell was about 21 seconds. The Tribal comparison at 15 kilometres was about 19 seconds, while the Dido example reached about 23 seconds. Visual fire control had to predict where a maneuvering target would be many seconds after a salvo left the guns, and radar could not remove the shell's travel time. More shells around the predicted position improved the chance of a hit and could damage a target through close explosions. Combat at River Plate, Cape Spartivento, Cape Bon, and the First and Second Battles of Sirte is cited as experience supporting rate and volume of fire. The unbuilt Super Town extends the same design logic and clarifies why the twelve-gun Town was already effective.