1 Pdr Mk 6 Pom Pom in Naval service

[PT Dockyard]

In looking at this weapon in US Navy service, it looks like it could have been a formidable threat to smaller ships at close range. Performance and operational history seems a little light tough and I have a few questions.

-It shows a rate of fire as up to 300RPM. Is this true? This gun could put out 5lb of projectiles in a second? granted effect ROF is much less but still, a shower of 1lb shells could cause a problem on a small ship or a surfaced sub.

-It seems to be regulated to auxiliary craft and backwaters locations. The exception seems to be the ones mounted on US destroyers for AA work. Did the British use this weapon at all or did they go to the 2pdr Pom Pom?

-Speaking of the latter, the 1pdr is 37mm and a 40mm is a 2pdr? Was there that much difference in the power of the shells?



Thanks,
Dave G