 In the evening of 19 January 1943 , Crombie was airborne over India with his navigator Warrant Officer Raymond Moss . At approximately 20 : 45 , the pair intercepted a formation of four Japanese bombers flying over Budge Budge . Crombie flew his aircraft towards the group but his initial attack drew fire from the bombers , setting the starboard engine ablaze . Despite the damage , he pushed ahead with the assault and shot down one of the bombers . Flames from the burning engine then began to sweep back , and Crombie ordered Moss to bail out . Alone , Crombie continued the assault , shooting down a second bomber , before turning his attention to a third . Due to his efforts , the penultimate aircraft was " so badly damaged ... that it could not have reached its base " . At this time , Crombie sought out the fourth and final machine . However , his petrol tank exploded , and he was forced " to bale out with his clothing alight " . He landed in " the most God awful swamp " , and walked for three or four hours before he reached an army unit in the area , which returned him to his squadron . 
