"Keyes" WO 373/19 folio 227

Colonel Keyes, appreciating that speed was now of the utmost importance, posted Sgt Terry at the foot of the stairs to prevent interference from the floor above – a task which he accomplished satisfactorily by firing a burst from his Tommy-gun at anyone who attempted to reach the landing.

Although the lights in the passages were burning, those inside the ground floor rooms were extinguished by the occupants.

If the raiding party was to achieve any measure of success these rooms had to be entered. This could be done by stealth which would however have taken time and, had the enemy been bold enough to come out into the passage they would have immediately appreciated that they were attacked by three individuals only whom they could easily have overpowered.

The only alternative was to attempt to bluff the occupants by dashing into each room in turn with a minimum of delay. This latter course Colonel Keyes unflinchingly adopted although he undoubtedly realized that it was almost certain death for the man who first showed himself silhouetted by the passage lights against a darkened doorway.

Colonel Keyes, who instinctively took the lead, emptied his revolver with great