The closing source excerpt describes dawn bombardment practice against area targets such as oil tanks, using rapid ranging and full-gun salvos to hit quickly. Destroyers were encouraged to use initiative and imagination, a striking instruction when Tribal-class ships carried eight 4.7-inch guns. The report also warned that high-explosive shells were ineffective against bridges and road surfaces. It leaves an unanswered tactical question about what other ammunition or methods crews may have tested against those targets.
Notable Point · 41:46-45:15
Royal Navy dawn bombardment methods in 1939
A 1939 exercise report reveals rapid-ranging methods, imaginative destroyer bombardment, and uncertainty about how best to attack bridges and roads.