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Hammer Blow by David Pritchard.
Six signature edition - Notes on John Freeborn

John Connell Freeborn – 70854 FO Pilot British 74 Squadron

Freeborn was born in Middleton, Yorkshire on December 1 1919. He was commissioned in the RAFO in March 1938, went to 8 FTS, Montrose on April 9 and with his training completed, he joined 74 Squadron at Hornchurch on October 29. He relinquished his RAFO commission on being granted a short service one in the RAF in January 1939.

Three days after the outbreak of war, the squadron was scrambled. Freeborn and Flying Officer V G Byrne dived to attack what they thought were Bf 109s but were in fact Hurricanes of 56 Squadron. They shot down two, killing one of the pilots. This incident became known as the ‘Battle of Barking Creek’. Freeborn and Byrne came up before a General Court Marital on October 7 1939 and were acquitted.

On May 21 1940 Freeborn claimed a probable Ju 88, on the 22nd he destroyed a Ju 88, on the 24th a probable Bf 109 and on the 27th a Bf 109 destroyed and another probably destroyed.

During the Battle of Britain, Freeborn claimed a Bf 109 destroyed on July 10, shared a probable Do 17 on the 24th, shot down a Bf 109 on the 28th, destroyed two Bf 110s, a Bf 109 and probably another on August 11, destroyed a do 17 on the 13th, destroyed another on September 11 and damaged a He 111 on the 14th. Freeborn was awarded the DFC (13.8.40) and made a Flight Commander on August 28.

He shared a Bf 109 on November 17, shot down two Bf 109s, shared another and damaged a fourth on December 5 and damaged Do 17s on February 5 and March 4 1941. Freeborn was awarded a Bar to the DFC (25.2.41) and posted away to 57 OUT on June 6 1941, as an instructor.

He returned to operations in December 1942, being then appointed to a Flight Commander with 602 Squadron at Skeabrae. On June 1 1943 Freeborn was given command of 118 Squadron at Coltishall, leading it until January 1944, when he was posted to Italy to be Wing Commander Flying of 286 Wing.

Freeborn was released from the RAF in 1946, as a Wing Commander.

Comments on this page should be emailed to Alan @ FDLC.co.uk
Last update 12^th June 2006

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