The Heinkel, piloted by "Oberleutnant" Günther von Seidlitz, crashed onto No. 10-12 Padwell Road, Southampton at 02:00. Seidlitz and "Feldwebel" Franz Hümmer were killed in action and "Unteroffizier" Horst Rosenberg and Herbert Sauer were taken prisoner of war. In April, having downed at least 10 enemy aircraft in night-fighting operations, Cunningham was decorated with his first Distinguished Service Order (DSO). On 3 May Cunningham accounted for another Heinkel. Four nights later on 7 May 1941 Cunningham achieved a victory—his 12th—in front of King George VI. Sholto Douglas accompanied the King when he appeared at Danebury Hill, not far from Middle Wallop. The King met Cunningham and Rawnsley, congratulated the airmen on their success and asked Cunningham to get another on that night. The King then was driven to the GCI station Sopley outside Bournemouth to tour the facility. Eager to impress the King, Cunningham drove to dispersal and prepared to go on patrol. The Luftwaffe began operations at 22:00 that night, attacking Liverpool which took their flight path over 604's patrol area. Cunningham took off and intercepted a He 111 north of Bournemouth. The controller asked the King to go outside as they may have the opportunity of witnessing the battle. Although they did not see it, the King heard the results; the roar of engines and rattle of cannon fire. The Heinkel, from 7./KG 27, "Werknummer" 1639 code IG+DR, eventually crashed near Andersea Farm south of RAF Weston Zoyland at 23:30. Pilot "Oberfeldwebel" Heinz Laschinski and "Oberfeldwebel" Otto Willrich survived though the pilot was badly burned. Flight Engineer "Feldwebel" Fritz Klemm and "Feldwebel" Heinz Schier were killed by gunfire. On the night of the 31 May/1 June 1941 he accounted for another He 111 as the Luftwaffe completed its last major raid of the Blitz. It was one of 24 German bombers lost on that night. The following morning Cunningham was promoted to temporary squadron leader. In early 1941 the British press, with permission from the Air Ministry, was allowed to approach Cunningham and write about his experiences. One of the motivating reasons for the lack of censorship was morale.