HMS Renown encountered Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during the Norwegian campaign, and the German ships withdrew rather than continue the engagement. Numerical odds alone understated Renown's threat. In the running battle, four 15-inch guns could answer six 11-inch guns, so the British battlecruiser was not at an obvious gunnery disadvantage.
Notable Point · 1:59:38-2:00:13
Why Renown could face Scharnhorst and Gneisenau
Renown's heavy guns help explain why two German battlecruisers broke off their Norwegian engagement.