TNA ADM 199 792

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OPERATION "DYNAMO" - PRELIMINARY REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS FOR
Page 4.
PERIOD 30TH MAY - 1ST JUNE, 1940.
(Commandi ng Officer, H.M.S. "Keith's" No.4/32 of 15th June '40
41. During the hours between 2200 and midnight, several
enemy aircraft passed overhead and, as reported later, dropped
magnetic mines to the West of La Panne and off Braye.
La Panne anchorage was under shell fire from Nieuport of La
Caxide and this became more accurate as time passed.
"Vivacious" vas hit twice and proceeded to the Westward.
42. At 0030/1 June, "Kei th" weighed anchor and proceeded 1/6
at slow speed towards Braye, which the enemy artillery were
now reaching. At 0206, the ship was off Braye.
43. At 0510 ten enemy fighters fired on the shore
beaches and on "Keith" and other ships with bursts of machine
gun fire, which was inaccurate.
44. At 0520 shells from shore batteries again fell close
to the ship off Braye.
June
45. At 0555 onemy bomber aircraft were engaged with 4.7"
X
barrage and pom pom fire. Only two rounds of H.A. ammunition
now remained and about 100 rounds of pom pom.
46. At 0630 "Keith" was standing off between Braye and
La Panne superintending the departure of ships with men
collected from the beaches during the night.
47. At 0737, a very large number of enemy dive bombing,
heavy bombing and fighter aircraft were sighted approaching.
"Keith", circling rapidly round a wreck, was attacked by
Junker 87 dive bombers which carried out extremely vertical
dives and released five bombs each. The ship however was not
hit but a near miss, probably of a delayed action bomb,
jammed the steering gear.
The enemy were engaged with pom pom and lewis guns.
The ship manoeuvred by engines until shortly afterwards she
was under control in hand steering aft.
"Keith" continued to circle at speed as enemy aircraf
were continually in sight.
1/6, 0805
NOTE: Times from now forward cannot be vouched for.
48. At about 0805, further numerous dive bombing attacks
took place on "Keith", a salvo of which straddled the ship.
One bomb set No.2 boiler room on fire and caused severe
flooding there. Lieutenant (E) Kenward, Royal Navy, and the
boiler room's crew perished in this fire. The ship began to
list heavily to port until eventually her upper deck was touch:
ing the water.
The torpedoes were fired with no range on and depth
charges were set to safe and thrown or fired overboard due to
the danger from further aircraft attacks. The ship now had
no steam and had anchored.
49. An M.T.B. came alongside and took off Rear Admiral
Dover and his Staff.
undamaged
50. The Port whaler, the only/boat remaining, was lowered
and all carley floats secured to it. A considerable quantity
of timber was collected and thrown overboard.