The Dakota was engaged in a mission to drop supplies near Arnhem, Netherlands. While flying at 1,500 feet the starboard wing of the aircraft was twice hit by anti-aircraft fire. The starboard engine was set on fire. The captain, Flight Lieutenant Lord, decided to continue to the dropping zone. The aircraft descended down to 900 feet, falling victim to concentrated fire of all the anti-aircraft guns. On reaching the dropping zone supplies were dropped but two containers remained. A second run was made to drop the remaining supplies. These manoeuvres took eight minutes in all, the aircraft being continuously under heavy anti-aircraft fire. The task completed, Flight Lieutenant Lord ordered his crew to abandon the Dakota, which was down to 500 feet. A few seconds later, the starboard wing collapsed and the aircraft fell in flames. There was only one survivor, who was flung out while assisting other members of the crew to put on their parachutes. By continuing his mission in a damaged and burning aircraft, descending to drop the supplies accurately, returning to the dropping zone a second time and, finally, remaining at the controls to give his crew a chance of escape, Flight Lieutenant Lord displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice and was awarded the Victoria Cross.