TNA ADM 199 792

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Page 21.
Operation "DYNAMO" Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. KEITH - Captain Edward Lyon Berthon, D.S.C., R.N.
After completing a short refit at Chatham the KEITH
sailed for Dunkirk at 1732/30/5 when she took off about
1400 troops, these being disembarked at Dover. At
0305/31/5 she again sailed for Dunkirk where she acted as
-
flagship of the Rear-Admiral, Dover, in charge of all sea
forces on the coast.
From the time of her arrival until she finally sank
at about 0940/1/6 she was patrolling along the French and
Belgian coasts during which time she was almost continually
opening fire on enemy aircraft, two of which were shot down..J
It is to be noted that the 3" H.A. gun was found to be most
effective in warding off the attackers and that all 3"
ammunition was expended before the arrival of the final
attacks which sank the ship.
It is evident that few if any ships had to face more
severe bombing attacks and that during the whole time the
conduct of the ships company was exemplary.
On the afternoon of 31st May, the ship survived both
dive and high level bombing attacks and early the next day
was subjected to machine gun attack followed by an intensive
dive bombing attack. A second powerful dive bombing
attack followed as a result of which the ship was lost.
Further bombing and machine gun attacks took place while
the ship was being abandoned. Many survivors went to the
Tug St. Abbs, which after escaping one dive bombing attack,
was sunk in a further attack; many of "Keith's" survivors
being lost in her.
Apart from the names given below, there were many
incidents of gallant conduct by men who were lost either in
"Keith" or after they had left the ship. 3 officers and
33 men in all were lost.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
OFFICERS:
Captain Edward Lyon Berthon, D.S.C., R.N.
The Rear-Admiral reports: "Under shell fire and
bomb attacks Captain Berthon handled his ship with great
coolness and judgment, and met all the calls put upon
him and his ship".
Recommended for decoration.
Lieutenant Charles Paynder Adams, R.N.
By his personal example in action maintained a hig
state of discipline and fighting spirit in the ship when
subjected to heavy bombing attacks. Later organised the
return passage of survivors to England in Yard Craft 63.
Recommended for decoration