Thomas Irving May

21/22 January 1942 Hampden AD754 408 Sqn. Took off from RAF Balderton part of 54 aircraft raid to bomb Bremen.The enemy coast was reached without incident but at 15000ft in the vicinity of Hasselunne the aircraft was suddenly caught in a cluster of around 30 searchlights. After weaving violently it was decided to jettison the bombs and get away but the power bolt was frozen solid. The pilot pumped the doors open and the bombs jettisoned at 7500ft, after lightening the aircraft it was possible to escape the lights and set course for home.

The wireless operator noticed that the aircraft was leaving a vapor trail and the pilot climbed, at 9500ft, two Bf110's flew over the tail and a few seconds later they attacked, the pilot turned to port and the attacking aircraft and the Hampdens gunners opened fire, The W/Op claimed to have shot down 1 Bf110 but the Hampden had been hit by 5 bursts of cannon fire. Managing to evade the enemy at 5000ft with the starboard engine coughing the pilot called for the rest of the crew to bail out but got no reply.

Descending to 1500ft and finding the aircraft handled better he decided to try and make it home. After arriving over England the T.R.Q was found to be useless so the pilot circled flashing SOS on the downward identification light, this was spotted by the searchlight pointer organization which directed him to West Malling.

On arriving over the airfield the undercarriage failed to work and the aircraft crash landed. All the crew were found on board though wounded. Pilot, Sgt Farrow was wounded in the
ankle by shrapnel, a nut from the aircraft blown into him by cannon fire. Sgt Millward had a cannon shell wound to his leg but it was hoped it would not have to be amputated. Sgts May and Baker were badly wounded and succumbed to their injuries within 48 hours.

In recognition for his courage and resolution the immediate award of the DFM was awarded to Sergeant Farrow RNZAF.

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