First Ace

Nazi bombers raided Scapa Flow again last week and the British replied near Wilhelmshaven. Two dozen R. A. F. bombers got their tails burned (two fatally) just north of Sylt. This week more planes roared over Scapa Flow, and for the first time in the war dropped incendiary bombs on Britain. They started several small fires in the heather, did no damage to shipping.

Meantime, Flying Officer Edgar James ("Cobber") Kain, 22, was pronounced R. A. F.'s undisputed Ace No. 1 (see opposite page), officially credited with five Nazi kills (and a possible sixth) for which he received the D. F. C. last fortnight. His arrival in England on leave, to recuperate from 20 shrapnel wounds in left leg and hand, was made the occasion for a burst of unwonted official publicity. The fact that Officer Kain was born in New Zealand, where "Cobber" means "Pal," is a big help to recruiting officers.

Cobber Kain's bag includes two Dorniers, three Messerschmitts. His talisman: A piece of Maori jade attached to his identification disc. His best girl: Joyce Phillips, repertory actress, last week playing at Peterborough in The Importance of Being Earnest. Said she: "I don't believe in getting married until the war is over."

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