Why a carrier’s six-inch guns were the wrong answer

The opening argument challenges the idea that a carrier could rely on six-inch guns when bad weather prevented flight operations. A sea state severe enough to stop aircraft operations would also make low casemate guns poor weapons, while cruiser and destroyer escorts would remain the carrier’s practical defence. The Royal Navy’s all-weather and night-flying training makes the proposed weather loophole especially narrow. Glorious had only two destroyers when lost despite policy expecting stronger carrier screens, while Courageous operated with most of a destroyer flotilla and aircraft up when sunk. Their losses show that carrier vulnerability depends on the screen, mission, readiness, and operating circumstances. These examples also make isolated-carrier duels and the short engagement distances of naval games poor guides to real carrier warfare.