Good golly!
Were you there Milo? It's bloody well worth it.
And here is a missing point from the BB discussion. (Well, it's covered in Diablos link)
The importance of the fire control and as well, as who scores the first hits is vital.
Once a gun commander is registering hits, the target cannot remain steady for long if there is to be any sense in the business. It has to break.
The Prince of Wales was lobbing shells into the Bismarck, but the ship being brand new and still with carpenters on board, had troubles with the guns. I can't remember which one disengaged, but I think it was actually the Bismarck. She received some 3 (?) hits, - from memory.
The HMS Belfast was a better example though. Hitting the Scharnhorst with her little 6" guns, she forced Scharnhorst to break. Not the big teeth, but good fire control, elite crew (admiral vessel), and high ROF allowed her to track on target much faster. Likely, Scharnhorst could have slugged it mout by moving closer, but at very high cost, if not loss. (other ships).
