Right, the idea is the same as the idea that a weedy highschooler can KO a pro boxer...as long as the boxer can’t block, dodge, or hit back. Certainly at that point, I don’t believe that the battleship, fully manned, maneuvering and fighting back could have been sunk by aircraft at that time...and any antiaircraft artillery at the time was small arms, a few 3” guns and whatever invective could be thrown.
True, certainly not the planes in 1920.
The new 5" 38 naval gun (early 1940s), when fitted on the the newer BBs was a formidable AA weapon. It featured 55 pound RP fused projectiles, so "close" was often good enough.
My battle station (1961-1964) was loader in #2 mount. Never fired a shot in anger though. My "war" was the Cuban missile Crisis. We evacuated military dependents and civvy contractors from GTMO.