AIR HERO MISSING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20241, 8 May 1940, Page 11

AIR HERO MISSING

LED STAVANGER RAID FIERCE RUNNING FIGHTS BOMBERS AND FIGHTERS HAVOC ON AIRFIELD (Elec. T«l. Copyright—-United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2.50 p.m. RUGBY, May 6. It is now revealed that the engagement from which Acting-Squadron Leader K. C. Doran, the first airman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar in the present war failed to return, was the raid on Stavanger which was carried out in daylight and in the face of strong opposition from the ground batteries and enemy fighters. Unfavourable flying weather had given Stavanger several days’ respite from air attacks when in the afternoon of April 30 Acting-Squadron Leader Doran led a force of BristolBlenheim bombers across the North Sea on the first of a new series of raids which were to reduce the air base to temporary impotence. Bearing on the objective shortly after 6 p.m. the British raiders found a cloudless sky. On the order from the leader they broke formation and split up to make individual attacks on the target. It could be seen that much of the damage caused by previous raids had been repaired and the base was again being used by large numbers of aircraft which were dispersed round the sides and half concealed in the adjoining fields. Ground Fire Intense The fire from the ground was intense as one after another of the raiding aircraft attacked the base with high explosive and incendiary bombs, causing havoc on the aerodrome and among the stationary aircraft. Enemy fighters had taken off to engage the British aircraft. With no cloud in which to take cover the Royal Air Force bombers settled down to fight their separate ways out. In a series of running combats which ensued, one Bleinheim, simultaneously engaged by four Messerschmitts, was hit, but the pilot, by skilful manoeuvring, was able to get away. When another Blenheim was attacked by a Messerschmitt 109, the gunner opened fire and, after a short burst, saw his opponent fall off on one wing and with black smoke streaming from the engine spin headlong .into the sea. All but two of the British aircraft returned safely to their base and it was learned that the two missing aircraft were not seen again after the formation had broken up on approaching the target area to deliver separate attacks.