HMAS Australia firing 8-inch guns at aircraft

Did HMAS Australia use proximity-fuzed 8-inch shells against aircraft in the Philippines?

Probably not; she likely used timed high-explosive shells, taking advantage of main guns that could elevate to about seventy degrees.

HMAS Australia's main battery could elevate to about seventy degrees, making barrage fire against aircraft physically possible. The ship was probably using timed high-explosive ammunition rather than proximity-fuzed 8-inch shells. The aim was to place large bursts in the path of a formation rather than track one aircraft like a light automatic weapon. American observers found the practice surprising, but the mount's elevation and available ammunition made it a usable expedient.