What Rodney's 16-inch fire could do to aircraft

Did Rodney's 16-inch fire against aircraft have value even if it scored almost no direct hits?

Yes; the barrage could disrupt and intimidate attacking aircrews, while a fragmenting load might enlarge its effective area.

Reports indicate that HMS Rodney fired her 16-inch guns at aircraft with radar assistance and may have hit one. The barrage could still impose a powerful psychological and tactical shock on attacking aircrews. A large burst or fragment cloud creates an area that pilots must respect even when direct-hit probability is low. The follow-up connects that historical firing episode to the speculative value of a purpose-designed shrapnel load.