Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.

---

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

---

138 Squadron Whitley V Z9275 NF-G Fl/Sgt. David Harrison Freeland

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

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

Unit: No. 138 Squadron (motto: 'For Freedom). 38 Group

Type: Whitley V

Serial: Z9275

Code: NF-G

Base: RAF Tempsford

Location: Merville, France

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. David Harrison Freeland 979399 RAFVR Age 26. Killed

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

Nav: W/O. John Horace Cox 1238321 RAFVR Age 21. 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 975553 RAFVR Age 21. 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.

Update April 2023 - further details found by Peter Green, Documents provided.

---

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)

The pilot and the wireless operator were killed during the crash landing, it seems that the other pilot was hit and probably killed by the flak. 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. W/O. Moore pulled W/O. Cox out of the aircraft when on the ground and on fire.

Above left: Fl/Sgt. Frederick George Green probably taken whilst with 38 Squadron or 11 O.T.U. Right: Fl/Sgt. Green on the left shortly after joining the RAF (courtesy of Peter Green)

Above as described (courtesy Stuart Smith - relative and Peter Green)

Group picture showing Fl/Sgt. Frederick George Green sitting right. Thought to have been taken during a training period. (courtesy Peter Green)

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

Above as described. Name L-R: Standing - Sgt. McNeil, Sgt. Newness, Sgt.Navarro, Sgt. Gowland, Sgt. King, Wagstaff. Sitting - Sgt. Crump, Sgt. Masse, P/O. Morgan, P/O. Watts, P/O. Thorpe, Sgt. Lager, Sgt. Freeland, Sgt. Teasdale (courtesy Peter Green) Note: names listed to enable searching.

Fl/Sgt. Freeland and Fl/Sgt. Hayhoe Grave (courtesy Stuart Smith - relative) Fl/Sgt. Freeland Grave (courtesy Peter Green)

Merville Communal Cemetery (courtesy CWGC)

John Horace Cox - Born 08th September 1921 - passed away January 1986 in Birmingham.
Peter Gilbert Moore - Born on the 07th March 1921 of 7 Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, Kent.

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, DCM., and Lillian Hayhoe, of Harrow Weald, Middlesex, England. Epitaph: 'In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son. May God Grant We Shall Meet Again. Mum, Dad'.

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. Epitaph: 'Fondly Remembered By Mum, Dad, Frank, Victor, Kathleen And Friends In Liverpool'.

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.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 07 April 2023, 16:19

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor