Why twelve six-inch guns could beat eight eight-inch guns

Should a Town-class cruiser have carried eight-inch guns instead of twelve six-inch guns?

No. At the close engagement ranges anticipated when the class was designed, the much greater volume of six-inch fire could outweigh the hitting power of fewer eight-inch guns.

The Royal Navy selected twelve six-inch guns after assessing likely pre-radar engagement ranges, where both calibers could hit but the lighter battery could put far more shells onto the target. A six-inch cruiser was not automatically cheap because guns were only part of the cost, while engines and the power needed for speed were major drivers. Removing armor to gain speed does not necessarily save money because speed itself is expensive. The design must be evaluated as a whole rather than by shell diameter alone.