The Bofors 40 millimeter anti-aircraft guns  were arguably the best light anti-aircraft weapon of World War II, employed on almost every major warship in the U.S. and UK fleets during World War II, circa 1943 to 1945. They were most effective on ships as large as destroyer escorts or larger when coupled with electric-hydraulic drives for greater speed and the Mark 51 Director for improved accuracy. The Bofors 40 millimeter gun became a fearsome adversary, accounting for roughly half of all Japanese aircraft shot down between October 1, 1944, and 1 February 1, 1945. The gun bases are present, the barrel breaches were removed while in reserve status.

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