TNA ADM 199 792

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OPERATION "DYNAMO" - PRELIMINAT REPORT OF PROCENDINGS FOR
PERIOD 30TH MAY - 1ST JUNE, 1940.
(Commanding Officer, I.M.S. "Keith's" No.4/32 of 15th June 1940)
29. At 1703 the ship was attached by enemy dive bombing 31/5
X
aircraft, which were engaged by the 3" П.А. and pom poms. One
aircraft was shot down by the port pom pom and two other enemy
machines were seen to crash, probably due to our fighters.
30. At 1716 a bomb dropped close on the port quarter and
the aircraft was engaged by H.A. armament.
31. At 1730 six enemy Messerschmitt aircraft were observed
attacking three friendly Hudson reconnaissance aircraft. The
attack dispersed after "Keith" opened fire with 3" H.A. sun.
32. At 1815 "Keith" arrived off La Panne to find that the
anchorage was under fire from a gun or guns situated near
Nieuport. Its location could not be seen but an enemy
observation balloon was observed.
33. At 1835 "Keith" proceeded Westwards again until at
1845, when between La Panne and Braye, signalling was seen from
the beach informing us that the General Headquartero were there
awaiting embarkation. The motor boat and starboard whaler were
lowered and proceeded inshore. At 1908 the first boat load
were aboard. Lord Gort, the Commander-in-Chief, went to H.M.S.
31
"Hebe" in a yacht. Our boats returned inshore for other officer
34. At 1910 about 80 enemy aircraft were sighted coming
over and "Keith" circled in the constricted space at high speed
engaging the enemy with 3" H.A. The enemy however proceeded in
the direction of Dunkirk. At 1927 large numbers of enemy
aircraft again appeared overhead on their way back to enemy
territory.
35. At 1937 an enemy high level bomber attacked "Keith"
dropping four bombs without result. This aireraft was engaged
by 3" H.A. and pom pom: the ship was again circling.
36. At 1942 the boats returned from the beach with their
second load of Staff officers and was sent back for the remain-
ing men.
37. At 2005 a further large number of enemy bombers and
fighters were seen overhead and the ship engaged them with H.A.
armament. On this occasion, a few bombs were dropped near the
ship and one aircraft attacked the boats inshore, narrowly
missing them. At 2016 the boats returned to the ships and were
hoisted. At 2018 "Keith" proceeded towards Dunkirk. The dunes
and beaches near La Panne were at this time under steady
artillery fire.
May
38. At 2120 "Keith" was off Dunkirk passing orders to boats
tugs and yachts as to their duties.
39. At 2125 she proceeded Bastwards again and at 2140 was
off Braye where she remained for some time marshalling small
craft.
40. At 2310 "Keith" proceeded to La Panne where at 0015/1
after laying off, she anchored.