Operation: S.O.E. (Incomparable 1 - Belgium)

Date: 26/27th September 1942 (Saturday/Sunday)

Unit: No. 138 Squadron

Type: Whitley V

Serial: Z9275

Code: NF-G

Base: RAF Tempsford

Location: Merville, France

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. David Harrison Freeland 979399 RAFVR Age ? Killed

Pilot 2: Fl/Sgt. Edmund George Hayhoe 1290931 RAFVR Age 19. Killed

Nav: W/O. J.H. Cox RAFVR PoW No: 42705 Camp: Stalag Kopernikus

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Frederick George Green 618327 RAF Age 21. Killed

Air/Gnr: W/O. Peter Gilbert Moore RAFVR PoW No: 27192. Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria

We are appealing for further information on behalf of Peter Green in particular to the relatives of crew members who my have had information passed down to them.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Research carried out by Peter Green has contributed greatly to this loss. However some questions still remain and we would appreciate anyone knowing any further information to contact us and that will be forwarded to Peter.

Whitley Z9275 is believed to have been hit by flak at approximately 06.00 hrs and made a controlled crash landing avoiding workers cottages and high power electricity cables. It is also understood that the aircraft collided with a bank by a small stream which ripped the undercarriage off. (Eye witness reports)

Both pilots and the wireless operator were killed during the crash landing but although some reports mention that the two survivors baled out this has been proven not to be the case and that they remained in the aircraft.

A poem was written by the brother of Fl/Sgt. Frederick George Green, Peter and can be found in our poetry section.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. David Harrison Freeland. Merville Communal Cemetery Extension. Plot 2. Row B. Grave 15. Born on the 26th February 1916 in Jackson Hall Ballygrainey, County Down, Northern Ireland. The son of David and Helen (née Nelly) Freeland. Husband of Sarah McDowell who he married on the 15th May 1942 at Ballygilbert.

Fl/Sgt. Edmund George Hayhoe. Merville Communal Cemetery Extension. Plot 2. Row B. Grave 7. Son of Edmund James Hayhoe, D.C.M., and Lillian Hayhoe, of Harrow Weald, Middlesex, England.

Fl/Sgt. Frederick George Green. Merville Communal Cemetery Extension. Plot 2. Row B. Grave 6. Son of Frederick George and Alice Green, of Liverpool, England.

Researched assisted by and for Peter Green - relative of Fl/Sgt. Frederick George Green (also for further details supplied on Fl/Sgt. Freeland - June 2017). With thanks to Joss Leclercq French Aviation historian for his valuable assistance with detailed information, other sources as quoted.