RNZAF
14 Squadron
Pilot Wing Commander Trevor Owen Freeman, NZ1026 (MIA / KIA)
MIA December 17, 1943
Pilot History
Freeman most senior RNZAF pilot lost in the South Pacific and He is
an MIA to this day. Freeman served with the RAF in England flying
Gauntlets, Spitfires and Wellingtons, was awarded DSC and bar, and flew
a total of 58 sorties in Europe. Returning to New Zealand in February
1943, he was appointed director of air operations. He was credited with
damaging a Zeke on October 11, 1943 and commanding officer of the New
Zealand fighter wing at Ondonga.
Aircraft History
Constructors Number 28611. USAAF serial number 42-104849. Assigned to the RNZAF with serial
number NZ3153. Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC at Hobsonville on July 27, 1943. Tail coded F. Written off books on 31 January 1944.
Mission History
Participated in a 75 aircraft fighter sweep over Rabaul. USN 22 Hellcats, 31
USMC Coursairs and the RNZAF's first major air operation when 24 P-40s
from 16 and 14 Squadrons took off from
Ondonga at
5:30am. They flew to Torokina to refuel, then split up into two groups,
led by Freeman and Arkwright to Rabaul. Two P-40s aborted on the way
to the target due to mechanical failures.
Over the target, Freeman was credited with shooting down one Zero, before dissapearing over southern New Ireland pursued by perhaps 4 Zeros. Reportedly crashed near Hunter Point.
A total of three P-40s were lost, and two pilots: Freeman's aircraft, no trace of him was ever found. Also P-40N NZ3175. Nine aircraft were claimed, 5 by RNZAF, 4 by USN.
John Douglas adds:
"I recently got some photos of a
P-40 in a Southern NI plantation, that I suspect is his. It seems that
only New Zealand P-40s raided Rabaul [my checking is not yet complete].
Two P40s were lost that day over Rabaul, and perhaps 3 P40s are known
to have been lost over Rabaul, for which no trace has ever been found."
References
Air to Air tells an account of the December 17, 1943 mission.
Thanks to ADF Serials for aircraft history.
P-40
MIA
4.11
152.37
