<P> Although naval artillery had been designed to perform within the classical broadside tactics of the age of sail, World War I demonstrated the need for naval artillery mounts capable of greater elevation for defending against aircraft . High - velocity naval artillery intended to puncture side armor at close range was theoretically capable of hitting targets miles away with the aid of fire control directors; but the maximum elevation of guns mounted within restrictive armored casemates prevented reaching those ranges . Dual purpose guns were devised to protect ships against both torpedo boats and aircraft . </P> <P> The QF 4 inch Mk V naval gun was one of the first artillery pieces to be adapted as an anti-aircraft gun and mounted on ships for defence . It was first used in 1914 as a secondary armament on Arethusa class cruisers in a high - angle anti-aircraft role . </P> <P> Most naval artillery on ships built after World War I was capable of elevating to at least 45 °, and some guns as large as 8 inches (20 cm) were capable of elevating to 70 ° for potential use against aircraft . As destroyers began to assume ASW roles to include protection of the fleet from submarines, they were fitted with high - angle depth charge mortars (called Y - guns, K - guns or squid). </P> <P> Battleships were used in support of amphibious operations since the late 19th century in the form of naval bombardment . Under international law such bombardments are regulated by the general law of war and the "Bombardment by Naval Forces in Time of War (Hague Convention IX)"; 18 October 1907 . </P>

Who fires the guns on a navy ship