Q&A · 1:35:27-1:37:37

How did British six-inch fire compare with the Brooklyn class?

The nominal rate per gun was similar; before radar, British ships appear to have found the target slightly sooner, with more live-fire practice offered as an explanation.

Question

How did the rate of fire of British six-inch cruisers compare with the Brooklyn class?

Short answer

Their nominal rates per gun were similar. Before radar, British ships appear to have reached effective hits slightly sooner, possibly because their crews received more live-fire practice.

Notes

British and Brooklyn-class 6-inch guns had broadly similar rates of fire on paper. The suggested British advantage lay in getting onto the target before radar, with training resources offered as a likely explanation. In some years, Royal Navy ships appear to have received roughly 25 to 30 percent more gunnery practice and live-fire drills. Funding, deployment and access to facilities all affected those opportunities. British exercises also served diplomatic and deterrent purposes, creating further occasions to practise.