Low-angle weapons could engage level and torpedo bombers approaching high-value ships, while dive bombers created the strongest need for high-angle fire. As with convoy ASW, the defensive purpose was to spoil the attack; an aircraft kill was valuable but not the only measure of success. Gun arrangements reflected the attack profiles planners expected aircraft to use against capital ships rather than destroyers. A bomber forced off its approach or made inaccurate had already been operationally defeated.
Chapter · 40:52-43:45
Why naval anti-aircraft fire did not need a kill
Gun layouts reflected expected attack geometry, and disrupting an attack could matter more than shooting the aircraft down.