British testing emphasized the number of shells delivered at decisive range and the probability of achieving useful hits. Many treaty cruisers lacked armor capable of stopping either caliber, reducing the practical advantage of an eight-inch hit. Against stronger protection, repeated nearby impacts could cumulatively weaken armor before a later shell penetrated. The Battle of North Cape illustrates the wider value: six-inch fire could damage exposed systems and leave Scharnhorst unable to sense an approaching Duke of York before heavier guns delivered the final blows.
Notable Point · 19:19-22:16
Six-inch volume of fire could blind heavier ships
More frequent six-inch hits could accumulate armor damage and disable exposed sensors even when they could not destroy a battleship outright.