"COBBER" KAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23708, 15 July 1940, Page 8

"COBBER" KAIN

NEWS OF HIS DEATH REGRET IN BRITAIN ADVENTURES AND HEROISM POPULAR "MAD DEVIL" [from our own correspondent] LONDON, June 13 " 'Cobber' Kain Killed," said the impromptu posters of newspaper sellers on the day that Italy declared war. Chalked blackboards and pencilled scraps of paper—for there are no regular posters now that paper is so scarce —told Londoners the sad news. On the pavements, in the buses, and in the underground railways the remark. "They've killed 'Cobber' Kain," was heard all day long. There was deep sadness and regret. "Cobber" Kain was tlio first fighter ace of the war and he captured the imagination of people generally at a time when war news was comparatively scarce, and when shallow minds were still heard declaring it to be a "phoney war." Later in the day, when the news o£ Italy's declaration was announced, the death of "Cobber" still hung heavily in the minds of many people. "Bad news," was one comment to a newspaper seller on the Italian entry. "Yes, it's bad," was the reply. "But this is worse. They've killed 'Cobber. That's terrible."

Many Tributes Paid Every newspaper recalled Kain's adventures and heroism. The majority published photographs as well. The deepest sympathy was expressed by people everywhere for his mother, who was expected shortly for her son s wedding, and for his young fiancee. Many tributes were paid to Kain. They were epitomised by the limes. It said: "Among the great air fighters the name of Flying-Officer Kain will be permanently inscribed. He disregarded all matters of personal safety when combat was joined, and some of his most brilliant successes were won through his terrific drive which sent him through any odds to achieve his immediate purpose." There was a charming "memorial" in the South Wales Echo and Express. It was drawn by J. C. Walker, and it shows Kain standing waist high above a bank of clouds. Aircraft form the letters "R.A.F." round him, and Kain waves them on with the message "Carry on, Cobbers." ■ The news of Kain's death was actually published first in New Zealand, and it was not known publicly in England until his fiancee received a cablegram from Mrs. Kain. While he gripped the interest ot the public, Kain was immensely popular with his fellow-pilots. Members of his squadron sprfke of him affectionately as a "mad devil," and he was universally admired.

Missed Mr. Fraser Kain first came into prominence when Mr. Peter Fraser, the Prune Minister, was visiting Britain last year. He shot down his tirst Nazi in the highest air battle fought up to that time. He just missed meeting Mr. Fraser. By January he was a "name in the R.A.F., although his identity was not known in Britain as it was an New Zealand. During a visit to France at that time, the name of Kain as a "coming pilot" was heard everywhere. A party of Empire journalists met him in an officers' mess in a small village near the squadron's aerodrome. Kain entered unobtrusively and chatted diffidently about his experiences. He seemed more interested in news of New Zealand and said that he was very eager to receive The Weekly !News. For months afterward it was sent regularly to him. In one letter of thanks he said: "The Weekly News is very much appreciated, especially by the New Zeala riders" —meaning himself and FlyingOfficer Garry Kain, of Christchurch. At that period the pilots were frankly bored by the war. Flying was impossible and the deep snow covered the aerodrome. They re-read all their old newspapers and wliiled away the time playing darts and listening to the wireless. Kain' had a different story to tell when lie visited London on leave in April. By then the war had "warmed up" and the pilots had been kept flying all day long. He had lost weight considerably. and arduous patrol work had meant irregular meals. He admitted that he had been "off his feed" and was ready for leave. Charming Personality With his merry blue eyes and black curling hair, and his broad, expressive, humorous month, Kain was a charming personality. His modesty was particularly attractive. He knew that he was a good pilot and he knew also of the high praise that had been showered on liini. Yet his chief reaction was one of amusement.

Talking to him, he gave the impression that he was a great deal surprised at all the "fuss" that was being made. In his own eyes, he was only doing "the job," the same job that thousands of other pilots were doing, and that he got "browned off" occasionally with the "newspaper talk." His modesty was typified after he had received the D.F.C. A few days after the announcement, his squadron was visited hv Air-Marshal Barratt. When speaking to Kain he noticed that the New Zealandcr had not "put his ribbon up." "Why aren't you wearing your decoration?" Air-Marshal Barratt asked him. ~ _ "I didn't think 1 had to until I received it. sir." Kain replied. "You will put it up at once," AirMarshal Barratt replied. "Decorations are to be worn as soon as they are announced."

" Scared Stiff M .Kain was always rather amused about his leap by parachute from his flaming Hurricane and of imagining himself to be "in Heaven" when he recovered consciousness to find himself in a bank of thick clouds. He was equally frank about his reactions. "I didn't, want to jump," he said of the incident. "I had never jumped before in my life. I was scared stiff. Rut it was getting too hot to sit there and there was nothing for it but to get out." It is difficult, to imagine Kain, with his ice-cool, quick-thinking brain, being "scared stiff." Rut it was his own description to belittle his adventure. Now "Cobhcr" lies under French soil. In his short life as a fighting pilot he won the admiration of the Empire, and a name that will live. The Star said: "One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name. 'Cobber' Kain has had many glorious hours of intense and exhilarating activity, and his end. 'killed in action.' puts the seal on the war service of Britain's first air ace. He belongs to a new race of young men who can think and act at speeds which were recently inconceivable. With all their new technique and training they have shown, what war alone could enable them to show, that they have also the old virtues of pluck and nervo and humanitv." One London newspaper announced his death in French. Dutch and German, as well as English.

It was later announced that FlyingOfficer Kain was not killed in action, but lost his life while "stunting." He was to have left France the Bam© day for duty in England.