A planned fighter escort for the six Blenheims did not materialise and the force was attacked by Bf 110s, which quickly shot down five of the RAF aircraft. Davis was the only survivor of his crew. He sustained a head injury and burns, but later said that Squadron Leader Wells had “practically kicked me through the escape hatch”.
Davis evaded capture, linked up with Dutch troops and sailed to Harwich on HMS Hereward when it carried members of the Dutch Royal Family and Government away from their country. He went on to fly 13 sorties with 600 in the Battle of Britain and was commissioned from Warrant Officer in 1943.
