AUS404240 P/O H T Freeman RAAF

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

On 20-4-1943, AUS404240 P/O Hubert Thomas FREEMAN MiD RAAF, was lost intercepting Japanese fighters in the Imphal area. Freeman, of No.155 Sqn., was flying a Mohawk IV. Also lost on this op was 946014 F/Sgt James Alexander SIMPSON RAFVR, flying Mohawk IV BK879.

Freeman and Simpson were both reported missing, and are commemorated on the Singapore memorial.

Freeman has no A705 at the NAA. Alan Storr is of no help, and I have checked Gerry Beauchamp's 'Mohawks Over Burma'. No joy there either. Chris Shore's 'Air War for Burma' (pp.82-3), whilst describing the combat, does not mention any serials.

Can anyone provide me with the serial of Freeman's Mohawk?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Col.

[AUS]

Hi Col,

There are three files via the NAA website that may offer some clues. I did a very quick scan (might be worth re-checking!) through the two digitised files (part 1 & 2) and could not find any details relating to Freeman. It is possible there might be something in the undigitised part 3.

Regards, Drew

Series: A705
Control Symbols: 166/1/115 PART 1, 166/1/115 PART 2, 166/1/115 PART 3
Title: Research for missing RAAF Personnel attached RAF Far East

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello Drew,

Thanks for that. I have photocopies of quite a few of those docs. I believe there is a Nominal Roll for those Missing Far East personnel. There is certainly one for RAAF personnel in RAAF Operational Areas, unfortunately, not digitised (A705: 166/1/108).

The annoying part of all this, is that I have Freeman's Grave Registration Form (marked: Search Abandoned). On the back of the form is a brief note, obviously taken from a Casualty Signal, which states - "At 1400 hours on 20.4.1943 Mohawk IV was ordered to intercept a raid approaching base of 155 Sqdn at Agartala. It is assumed that the pilot was either shot down or forced landed and would have come down in very thick jungle." I feel sure on the original signal the Mohawk serial would have been mentioned. Oh well!

Thanks,

Col.