Cobber kain biography templates

Unfortunately, his blood pressure had skyrocketed during the trip over and he failed his medical examination. Edgar Kain was able to try again. This time, he passed and was sent for a week training course. Just prior to completing the necessary work, he was asked whether he wanted to be trained further in fighters or bombers — he chose the former.

Kain was accepted for a short-service commission as an acting pilot officer in March From there, he went on to complete further training, earning his wings on June 25 of that year. By this point, he was already an extremely proficient flyer who was able to complete complex acrobatic maneuvers, although he was often told off for performing them too close to the ground.

In NovemberKain was assigned to No. During the summer of Kain became the best known flying ace in Britain when he shot down another ten German aircraft over France. A group of friends decided to see him off and while performing a series of low level aerobatics in his Spitfire he crashed on the airfield and was killed. Flying Officer E.

Kain shot down a Dornier 17 and then later in the month another one at the then record height for air combat at 27, feet. This young New Zealander, the first 'ace' of the war, continued to score successes steadily. Kain was mentioned in dispatches on 20 February for his efforts pursuing the He that he sighted late the previous month.

He destroyed the first Bf but the second damaged his engine with cannon fire before departing. When his damaged engine caught fire, Kain prepared to bail out but had to re-enter the cobber kain biography templates when he realised his parachute strap was not in position. The flames went out and Kain glided on to a forced-landing at Metz.

The encounter was reported by the BBC in its main radio bulletin later that day; Kain was not named and only referred to as a New Zealander. Kain was soon back on operations and, at the same time, the squadron was re-equipping with updated Hurricanes. It was to be the first such award to a pilot of Fighter Command. He promptly took ill with German measles and was hospitalised for several days.

That day, in the early afternoon he led a section on a defensive patrol over the German lines and encountered a group of Bf s. He managed to destroy one Bf and then a second, but shortly afterwards his Hurricane's engine was damaged by a cannon strike from another Bf With his aircraft on fire, he bailed out with shell splinters to his left leg, a bullet-grazed left hand and burns to the face.

Landing in no man's landhe made his way to a nearby village. He soon encountered French soldiers and after satisfying them as to his nationality, he was treated by a doctor and driven back to Rouvres in the evening. The wounds from his latest encounter forced him off flying duties for a few days.

Cobber kain biography templates: It is a photograph taken prior

It read:. In March,while on patrol with another aircraft, Flying Officer Kain sighted seven enemy bombers about 5, feet above him, and while giving chase well into Germany, he was attacked from behind by an enemy fighter. Showing the finest fighting spirit this officer out-manoeuvred the enemy and although his own aircraft was badly damaged he succeeded in bringing the hostile aircraft down.

Thick smoke and oil fumes had filled his cockpit and although unable to see his compass, he skilfully piloted his aircraft inside allied lines in spite of being choked and blinded by the smoke. With the announcement of his DFC, the anonymity he had previously been afforded was no longer possible. There was significant public interest in Kain, his endeavours being widely reported in the United Kingdom and in the Dominions; one newspaper correspondent described Kain as "carrying the Dominion banner across the German frontiers in grand style".

Cobber kain biography templates: Edgar James Kain was born

Kain returned on 14 April to his squadron, which was now based with the rest of No. Tensions were high as a result of the German invasions of Norway and Denmarkand the Luftwaffe had increased its presence along the French border with Germany. Kain was initially stood down from flight operations [ 60 ] so did not undertake his first patrol until 21 April.

At around am, Kain engaged and shot down a Dornier Doone of nine that he sighted near Metz. He encountered another seven on his return to Rouvres but had exhausted his ammunition in the earlier action. The squadron was ordered back to Reims later in the morning, and assembled there by pm. On the last patrol of the day he shot down a Do ; cannon shells from a Bf damaged the fuselage of his Hurricane.

The airfield at Reims was bombed again on 12 May, but this did not affect the squadron's operations, and it flew several missions in the afternoon. While escorting some Fairey Battles on a raid north of SedanKain spotted a Henschel Hs reconnaissance aircraft that he pursued and destroyed over Bouillon. The squadron encountered several flights of bombers during operations.

Cobber kain biography templates: Edgar James (also known as Cobber)

Kain had no successful engagements on 13 May to add to his official tally of destroyed aircraft but the same day a newspaper reported that he may have destroyed as many as eleven enemy aircraft, and Kain himself had "lost count". On 15 May, Kain's section encountered a Do 17 and began to initiate an attack. Without firing his guns, Kain saw the crew of the bomber promptly bail out to leave the now pilotless bomber to fly on deeper into France.

This saw Kain given command of one of the squadron's flights. It was a particularly busy day; the end of it, he had accumulated thirteen hours in the air. The pace of the German advance saw another move by No. The British fighters attacked and Kain shot down a Ju 88 and then a Bf Towards the end of the engagement, he destroyed a He Seven German aircraft had been destroyed for the loss of three Hurricanes, whose pilots all survived to return to the squadron.

Later inthe squadron converted to the new monoplane Hawker Hurricane. Kain was promoted to flying officer on 21 July Appointed a section commander Kain flew on 80 fighter and escort operations over Le Havre, Louvres, Rheims, Verdun and other parts of enemy-occupied territory as 73 was one of the first units to engage the Luftwaffe. Four days after war was declared, 73's 16 Hurricane fighters flew across the Channel to France.

On 10 SeptemberKain flew his first operational patrols without making contact with the enemy. His first victory occurred on 8 November during a defensive patrol. Kain had spotted a Dornier Do 17 from reconnaissance unit 1. As the Do 17 began to climb to 27, ft with Kain in pursuit, he made two attacks but saw no result. With his Hurricane cobber kain biography templates signs of strain, he attacked again and the Dornier dived steeply.

Kain followed but pulled out when he saw fabric peeling off his wings. The Dornier crashed into the small village of Lubey northwest of Metz, exploding on impact and killing the crew. A machine gun recovered from that aircraft features as part of the Outbreak exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. On 23 November, near Conflans, Kain shot down another Do 17, from 3.

Due to bad weather there was little flying in December, January and February but on 1 MarchKain fought an action with two Messerschmitt Bf fighters. His Hurricane was already damaged when he shot the first Bf down in flames although the second fighter attacked him, stopping the Hurricane's engine with a cannon shell but then flew off, leaving Kain to glide 30 miles from 20, feet to reach French territory.

When his engine caught fire, Kain prepared to bail out but had to re-enter the cockpit when he realized his parachute strap was not in position. Fortunately the flames went out and Kain glided on to a forced-landing at Metz aerodrome. While flying on operations, he sighted seven enemy Bf fighters above him at 5, ft. Immediately giving chase and while pursuing them back towards the German lines, Kain discovered another enemy fighter on his tail.

Attacked from behind, and with his own Hurricane fighter badly damaged, he engaged the enemy and shot it down. With his cockpit full of smoke and oil, he managed to bring his Hurricane down behind the Allied lines. The citation for the award referred to 'the magnificent fighting spirit Kain displayed in outmanoeuvring his enemy and destroying him.