TNA ADM 199 792

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H.M.S. "KEITH" - FINAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS 30th MAY - 227
1st JUNE, 1940, WITH HER EVENTUAL DESTRUCTION.
(Captain Berthon's No.31 of 1st July to Vice-Admiral,1 Dover)
22.
Six enemy Messerschmidt aircraft were observed at
1730 attacking three British Hudson reconnaissance aircraft.
The attack dispersed after "Keith" opened fire with 3" H.A.
gun.
23.
At 1815 "Keith" arrived off La Panne to find that
the anchorage was under shell fire from a gun or guns situated
near Nieuport. The location of the battery could not be
established but an enemy observation balloon observed to the
eastward was immediately hauled down by the enemy on the
approach of our fighter aircraft.
24. "Keith" resumed course to the westward at 1835 until
at 1845, when between La Panne and Braye, signalling was
observed from the beach informing us that the Army G.H.Q.Staff
was there awaiting embarkation. The motor boat and starboard
whaler were lowered and proceeded inshore.
25. At 1908 the first boat load of the staff was onboard.
Lord Gort, the Commander-in-Chief, went to H.M.S. "Hebe" in a
yacht. Our boats returned inshore for other officers.
26. At 1910 about 80 enemy bombing 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 carried on to Dunkirk.
31/5
27.
A large number of enemy aircraft again appeared
overhead at 1927 on their way back to enemy territory. At
31/5
1937 an enemy high level bomber attacked "Keith", dropping
four bombs without result. This aircraft was engaged by
3" H.A. and pom-pom, the ship again circling.
28. "Keith's" boats returned from the beach at 1942
with their second load of staff officers and were sent back
for the remaining men.
29. At 2005 a further large number of enemy bombing
aircraft were sighted overhead and the ship engaged them
with the H.A. armament. On this occasion a few bombs were
dropped near the ship and one aircraft attacked the boats
inshore narrowly missing them.
30. At 2016 the boats returned to the ship with the
last load of the Army staff and were hoisted. "Keith" then
proceeded towards Dunkirk. The dunes and beaches near La
Panne were at this time under steady shell fire.
31. "Keith" was off Dunkirk at 2120 passing orders to
boats, tugs and yachts as to their duties. At 2125 she
continued to the eastwards and at 2140 was off Braye where
she remained for some time marshalling boats and small craft.
32. At 2310 "Keith" proceeded to La Panne where she
anchored at 0015 after lying off for a short period. Between
2200 and midnight several enemy aircraft passed overhead and,
as was reported later dropped magnetic mines to the west of
La Panne and off Braye.
reduced 33. to 2 rounds of 3" H.A. ammunition and 150 rounds of
After the air attacks of the day the ship was now
X
pom-pom per gun. This shortage was represented to the
Admiral in view of the certainty of further attacks on the
following day.
...34.
La Panne anchorage