An overpenetrating heavy shell can exit a light cruiser without leaving the ship unharmed. A projectile of this size can tear through the structure on its way out, leaving a vessel unlikely to recover. The shell may fail to detonate within the armour scheme and still inflict catastrophic structural damage through kinetic energy alone. The passage distinguishes the technical term overpenetration from the mistaken assumption that it is harmless.
Notable Point · 2:40:05-2:40:20
Why overpenetration can still destroy a light cruiser
A 16.5-inch shell passing through a lightly protected cruiser is still likely to inflict catastrophic damage, even without detonating inside.