G3's forward battery limits its tactical freedom

Concentrating all three G3 main turrets forward saved weight and helped fit the design within contemporary limits, but it assumed considerable control over an engagement's geometry. Unlike a two-turret arrangement using quadruple mounts, G3 already paid the weight and internal-arrangement cost of a third turret without placing one aft. A retreating ship would have no main gun able to fire directly astern and would need to zigzag to bring the battery to bear. Every turn would reduce effective escape speed and allow a pursuer to close the range. A two-forward, one-aft arrangement would preserve the same broadside while giving the ship meaningful main-battery fire in either direction. Comparison with later British, American, German, Italian, and French layouts shows why all-forward batteries remained an exception rather than the dominant capital-ship pattern.