An explicitly uncertain World War II anecdote shows why early destroyers wanted to stay clear of capital-ship gunfire. HMS Nelson reportedly used 16-inch shells as anti-aircraft fire, after which other aircrews said two aircraft seemed to collapse. Whether the shells scored the hits remains uncertain, and any success is treated as luck rather than a workable anti-aircraft method. The image still conveys what main-battery fire could do to a 300- to 600-ton destroyer caught in a battleship engagement.
Notable Point · 10:59-11:55
The uncertain HMS Nelson anti-aircraft anecdote
A qualified story about HMS Nelson's 16-inch guns conveys what capital-ship fire could do to a small destroyer while leaving the reported anti-aircraft success unproven.