TRAGIC END

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1940, Page 10

TRAGIC END

DEATH OF "COBBER" KAIN

KILLED IN AIR ACCIDENT

ACE'S GREAT RECORD

The great fighting record of FlyingOfficer Edgar James kain,, DIF.C:-^ "Cobber" Kain to everyone in New Zealand and throughout the Royal Air Force—has been closed in a tragic way, by his death as a result of,an aircraft-accident. The sympathy of the Dominion goes out to his parents; Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Kain, Wadestown, and family. In nine months of war ..in France and over Germany Flying-: Officer Kain gained the. attention of the world by his extraordinary daring and valour, and though1 other war aces' will build their records before peace comes with victory his fame and endeavour are written imperishably and are an inspiration to his country. ..

Flying-Officer Kain was to have been married this month to Miss Joyce Phillips, an English repertory actress, and his mother and sister recently; leftfor England for the wedding... That New Zealand should have ; followed his exploits as reported almost from week to week was natural as a matter of pride in what a New Zealand pilot was doing, but Flying-Officer Kain's name was known throughout the Empire as an outstanding war.ace, ranking with the greatest pf the 'Allied air fighters, and earning splendidly his mention in dispatches and the award of the Distinguished Flying Cr.oss six weeks ago.'1 , . : ..LEW FIRST AT RONGOTAJ. FlyingAOfficer Kain was born at Hastings 22. years ago and went to .the Croydon School, Day's Bay, and then to Christ's College, Christchurch. Coming back to Wellington, he gained his first flying experience at Rongotai under Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman before going on to Wigram, Christchurch, where he obtained his . A licence in 1936. He left for England with his parents and entered the Royal Air Force on December 21 of that year at the training camp at Blackr burn. Success came quickly and after three months he was posted to tJxbridge, and when war broke out was section commander in a Hawker Hurricane squadron. % : FIRST FIGHT ON 21st BIRTHDAY. On November 8 "Cobber" Kain had his twenty-first birthday and his first air victory in a fight five miles above the German lines. There was for a time some doubt who the Flying-Offi-cer Kain credited with a notable victory over a heavy Dornier bomber was, for there were two flying-officers with the same surname; Edgar Kain and Garry Kain, both old boys of Christ's College, and close friends as the only New Zealanders in their squadron.' On November 23 "Cobber" Kain brought down a Dornier, again from a great height, 23,000 feet, .but three thousand' feet lower than his first air battle, which, it has been suggested, was fought at a record height. He flew one of the older Hut-? ricanes, not an all-metal machine, preferring it to the later all-metal' Hurricane as being to him. . more easily thrown about in life-and-death aerobatics. . - ....: /,...■- v '.- - ■.'■' .•, ~, Successes and bravery during. . the dreary winter months brought official recognition .on February 21, when he was mentioned in dispatches. '■.•.• AWARDED THE D:F.C. In March "Cobber." Kain was in world news again when, With three holes blown in his Hurricane by cannon Shells, his engine on fire, and himself trapped in the cockpit when his parachute harness slipped and held him from bailing out, he yet was able to glide over the lines to safety after an _ encounter with seven Heinkel bombers and six Messerschmitt fighters. ; . He was leading three Hurricanes on patrol. One of them developed1 engine trouble and fell back; - the other two carried on. At 24,000 feet the Messerschmitts attacked and shot the second Hurricane to a ■ forced landing. Kain was alone, with the bombers ahead and fighters on both sides.- A canhbn shell blew off a wing tip and another smashed his engine, but in that crippled machine , Kain . carried on long enough to get his • sights oh two of the German fighters: one crashed in flames and the other made off for safety. In the dive for the lines the engine burst into flames, but he landed, and collapsed when he climbed out, and woke in a French hospital.

On April 2 an official statement recorded his exploit and announced the award of the Distinguished. Flying Cross:— , .

"Showing the fighting spirit, FlyingOfficer Kain out-manoeuvred the enemy. Although his own aircraft was badly damaged he succeeded in bringing down' the hostile aircraft. Thick smoke and oil fumes had filled his cockpit. Although unable to see his compass he skilfully piloted his aircraft inside Allied lines, in spite of being choked and blinded by smoke."

His proved tally then was five. By May 23 it had grown to 25, and in the terrific air fighting which broke out over the major offensives in the Low Countries and Belgium, "Cobber" Kain added more victories for the Royal Air Force. His individual victories" are believed to have exceeded forty.