19.06.2011, 18:33
Here's a MKIa Spitfire of 74 SQD Piloted By the late John Freeborn, a very interesting history.
http://www.mediafire.com/?zadkf61feu4imur
![[Image: 2011-06-20_00004.jpg]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ApqcwGclN24/Tf6DvZra6bI/AAAAAAAAEWo/ca9MU4alb-8/s1600/2011-06-20_00004.jpg)
John Freeborn, an RAF ace who had the distinction of flying more operational hours than any other pilot during the Battle of Britain, died at age 90.
Freeborn shot down 11 German planes during World War II, had two more probable kills and damaged five other aircraft. He shot down seven planes during the Battle of Britain itself and would receive a pair of Distinguished Flying Crosses for his efforts during the war.
Freeborn’s squadron flew relentlessly during the Battle of Britain. In one eight-hour period, its pilots flew into combat four times, destroying 23 enemy aircraft – three by Freeborn – and damaging 14 more, according to the Yorkshire Post.
Freeborn also is credited with being the first airman to ever shoot down another plane while piloting a Spitfire. Unfortunately, it was in a friendly-fire incident called the Battle of Barking Creek that also marked the death of the first British pilot of the war.
Early on the morning of Sept. 6, 1939, just days after the outbreak of World War II, unidentified aircraft were reported approaching England from the east at high altitude. In response, six Hurricanes were ordered to be scrambled from a squadron based in Essex.
Not only was the entire unit sent up, but unbeknown to the rest of the pilots, two other pilots took off in reserve aircraft and followed at a distance. These were destined to be the targets of the mistaken attack.
Additionally, Hurricanes from Squadron 151 and Spitfires from Squadrons 54, 65 and 74 were also scrambled. With the war only days old, none of the RAF pilots had seen combat and communication between planes and command centers was poor.
In addition, there was no identifying procedure for pilots to distinguish between enemy and friendly aircraft.
Before long, the “A” Flight of Squadron 74 saw what it believed were enemy planes and its commanding officer, Sailor Malan, gave the order to engage. Freeborn and Flying Officer Vincent “Paddy” Byrne opened fire.
Freeborn shot down the aircraft of Pilot Officer Montague Hulton-Harrop, who was killed almost instantly, becaming the first RAF pilot to be killed in World War II.
In the ensuing court-martial, Freeborn felt that Malan tried to evade responsibility for the attack. Malan testified for the prosecution against his own pilots, stating that Freeborn had been irresponsible, impetuous and had not taken proper heed of vital communications.
During the trial, Freeborn’s counsel, Sir Patrick Hastings, called Malan a bare-faced liar.
Though Freeborn was exonerated completely, he regretted the death of Hulton-Harrop the rest of his life.
In 2009, 70 years later, he told the BBC, “I think about him nearly every day. I always have done … I’ve had a good life, and he should have had a good life, too.”
Thank you.
http://www.mediafire.com/?zadkf61feu4imur
John Freeborn, an RAF ace who had the distinction of flying more operational hours than any other pilot during the Battle of Britain, died at age 90.
Freeborn shot down 11 German planes during World War II, had two more probable kills and damaged five other aircraft. He shot down seven planes during the Battle of Britain itself and would receive a pair of Distinguished Flying Crosses for his efforts during the war.
Freeborn’s squadron flew relentlessly during the Battle of Britain. In one eight-hour period, its pilots flew into combat four times, destroying 23 enemy aircraft – three by Freeborn – and damaging 14 more, according to the Yorkshire Post.
Freeborn also is credited with being the first airman to ever shoot down another plane while piloting a Spitfire. Unfortunately, it was in a friendly-fire incident called the Battle of Barking Creek that also marked the death of the first British pilot of the war.
Early on the morning of Sept. 6, 1939, just days after the outbreak of World War II, unidentified aircraft were reported approaching England from the east at high altitude. In response, six Hurricanes were ordered to be scrambled from a squadron based in Essex.
Not only was the entire unit sent up, but unbeknown to the rest of the pilots, two other pilots took off in reserve aircraft and followed at a distance. These were destined to be the targets of the mistaken attack.
Additionally, Hurricanes from Squadron 151 and Spitfires from Squadrons 54, 65 and 74 were also scrambled. With the war only days old, none of the RAF pilots had seen combat and communication between planes and command centers was poor.
In addition, there was no identifying procedure for pilots to distinguish between enemy and friendly aircraft.
Before long, the “A” Flight of Squadron 74 saw what it believed were enemy planes and its commanding officer, Sailor Malan, gave the order to engage. Freeborn and Flying Officer Vincent “Paddy” Byrne opened fire.
Freeborn shot down the aircraft of Pilot Officer Montague Hulton-Harrop, who was killed almost instantly, becaming the first RAF pilot to be killed in World War II.
In the ensuing court-martial, Freeborn felt that Malan tried to evade responsibility for the attack. Malan testified for the prosecution against his own pilots, stating that Freeborn had been irresponsible, impetuous and had not taken proper heed of vital communications.
During the trial, Freeborn’s counsel, Sir Patrick Hastings, called Malan a bare-faced liar.
Though Freeborn was exonerated completely, he regretted the death of Hulton-Harrop the rest of his life.
In 2009, 70 years later, he told the BBC, “I think about him nearly every day. I always have done … I’ve had a good life, and he should have had a good life, too.”
Thank you.