AIR ACE’S DEATH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1940, Page 6

AIR ACE’S DEATH

PRESS TRIBUTES TO “COBBER” KAIN ACHIEVEMENTS BRING GLORY TO DOMINION NEW RACE OF YOUNG MEN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, June 11. The Press all pay tribute to the New Zealand airman, “Cobber” Kain. Typical comment is that of the “Star,” which says: “One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name. 'Cobber' Kain had many hours of intense exhilarating activity. His end puts the seal on the war services of Britain’s first air ace. He belongs to a new race of young men. who think and act at speeds hitherto inconceivable. but who possess the old virtues of pluck, nerve and humanity. He has gone to his end after a short period in which he brought glory to his own Dominion and nobly and cheerfully served the cause of the Allies.” “MAD DEVIL” MANY VICTORIES IN SHORT TIME. NAME INSCRIBED AMONG GREAT AIR FIGHTERS. LONDON. June 11. __ The aviation writer of "The Times. ’ paying a tribute to “Cobber” Kain, says this tall big-boned New Zealander was known affectionately to his associates as the “mad devil. ’ It was undoubtedly this streak of recklessness, controlled by cool thinking which gave him so many victories in such a short time. The name of Kain was permanently inscribed among the great air fighters. HERO’S DEATH ON EVE OF PROCEEDING TO BRITAIN. TO ACT AS INSTRUCTOR.

(Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON. June 11. A member of the Australian Associated Press, who was recently in France writes today—twenty-four hours after the announcement of “Cobber" Kain’s death: “I received an autographed card from this ace written in the famous Maxims restaurant, Paris, where ‘Cobber’ Kain was entertainec? by Australians and New Zealanders before rejoining his squadron on the eve of the fatal crash. I first met ‘Cobber' when he limped into his squadron's mess behind the Maginot Line after an amazing parachute escape last March. His casual ‘Blow me down’ when he saw a gallery of correspondents waiting to interview him became a customary .greeting between all pilots and correspondents on the Western Front. He died on the very day that orders were received by him to go to Britain as an instructor. His comrades recovered Kain’s tiki mascot from the wreckage and hung it in the mess room overlooking his vacant chair and upturned ■ S glass.” 7 ' During ten months' continuous patrol, “Cobber” Kain shot down forty planes. He remarked a few weeks ago: “I really do not know how many now. I guess I lost count but it must be over thirty.” Kain was lionised wherever he went. He received a tumultuous greeting when he recently visited London on short leave. His squadron leader, after this visit, remarked: "He can stand a lot because he is a steady sort of chap but this publicity may upset him” and thereupon he deliberately “grounded” him for a fortnight on his return to France. Ho did not want Kain to get reckless trying to live up to his reputation. When Kain was thoroughly “grounded off” he was sent on patrol again. The circumstances of his death are sad but it was a hero’s death.

AIRMEN’S TRIBUTE WREATII DROPPED BY FELLOW FIGHTERS. (Received This Day. 10.55 a.m.) LONDON. June 11. After Kain's crash three fellow fighters flew over the spot and dropped a wreath. HOW KAIN DIED WING-TIP TOUCHED GROUND AT FRENCH AERODROME. LONDON, June 11. It is learned that Flying Officer “Cobber" Kain crashed and was killed instantly when a wing-tip of his Hurricane fighter touched the ground while flying over an aerodrome.