TNA ADM 199 792

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About from seaward this time saw a Belgian fishing boat 200
tigate. down the Zuidcoote Pass. BASILISK appear on inves- scene
Was first of a dozen such boats which to
tion. appeared; on their way to Dunkerque to assist in shortly evacua-
As mists and clouds dispersed many aircraft appeared
scene, and fighters constantly came low over us. Often on
they were Spitfires, but our ships were not taking any
chances and opened fire indiscriminately on them.
Hoisted signal "Cease Fire" and blew syren to attract
attention, but our own machine gun aft in KEITH continued
firing - once firing started they could not hear the
"cease fire" gong.
KEITH now had only about 30 rounds of H.A. ammunition left,
SO decided would shortly transfer flag to BASILISK and send
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KEITH into Dunkerque to fill up and return to Dover.
Before I could do this a very heavy bombing attack develop-
ed, first of all in and around Dunkerque itself. IVANHOE
was hit and entirely enveloped in smoke just off entrance;
2 hours later saw her being towed back to Dover. HAVANT
was sunk near the entrance.
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Not long afterwards a compact formation of 30-40 JU 87's
appeared from the S.W. Everyone opened fire on them and
enemy spread out. Fire seemed effective and thought it
was driving them away, so left bridge for a moment.
KEITH attacked by 3 D/Bs: one bomb burst 10 yards astern
and helm jammed when hard over; two others near misses.
Ship soon under control in hand steering: 1 man hurt.
1900
Attacked by 3 more D/Bs: one bomb down after funnel and
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exploded below; several casualties.
Owing to danger of fire, foremost torpedo tubes were fired As
to get rid of torpedoes. Holes in side from bomb.
ship could not steam let go anchor, and shortly after
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MTB 102 came alongside. Could do no good in KEITH, so
transferred to the MTB with my staff and 1 wounded man.
Sent two nearby tugs to assist KEITH and then made for
Dunkerque. KEITH again attakked and hit under bridge:
heavy list to port, but H.A. gun still firing. She was
twice more and her men were taken off by a tug, which the
hit picked up men from BASILISK and SKIPJACK: both sunk:
latter also sunk at this time. Tug also was bombed down and and
about 30 of KEITH'S men lost, and planes came
machined gunned men in water.
MTB to see General Alexander (now in command Tennant.
bombed most of the way in, but managed to dodge after them.
0915
Landed Gort's departure), but he was away and so was
Learnt that plan was to continue evacuation during the next
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night withdraw from their new positions at dawn and for several
from western beaches and Dunkerque; rear guard retire were to
Dunkerque. to This meant continuing embarkation
hours spaces round local H.Q. full of ambulances and ounded
of daylight: feared heavy losses.
Open doctors doing what they could.
with ships still afloat had left Dunkerque, MTB so returned and, in to
make spite of more bombing and machine gunning, Dover
All contact with VA, Dover. Left in the reached
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in safety at 1130.
Embarkation Plan to take place between 2100 and of 0330 Dunkerque. and was to
for the night:-
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be from this a large number of ships and small also being were being sent
the 1½ miles of beach to the east craft
For and sent over. Personnel ships RAF to
assembled Dunkerque itself to go alongside pier. were the
into their efforts between 1900 and and 0700 from over
period concentrate when ships would be on passage to
Dunkerque. cross-channel type used for normal ferrying
Personnel across ships to = France. Manned by and their loading alongside crews
troops been going into the harbour so were very
and had could carry 3,000 men, used
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valuable; the pier. but Some they were large targets and were reluctance with