 FACT: The ship is seen firing salvos from its main batteries aimed  at approaching US aircraft on several occasions, while lots of the  crew are visible on deck, manning the light AA guns as well as  performing other duties. While the big guns were in fact used  fending off aircraft, at least during the last battle off Okinawa,  the shock wave from the blast of the nine 456 mm barrels (the  biggest ever on a warship) could kill or severely injure an  unprotected sailor, it was therefore forbidden to remain on deck on  such occasions.