Trevor Owen Freeman

Born 5 Jun 1916 - Died 17 Dec 1943

Service number: WWII NZ1026 AWMM
WWII 1026 AWMM
Also known as: —
Armed force / branch: Air Force AWMM
Last rank: WW2 Wing Commander AWMM Royal New Zealand Air Force, Fighter Wing AWMM
War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

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Acting Wing Commander Trevor Owen Freeman, DSO, DFC, awarded bar to DFC. Image kindly provided by Imperial War Museums, part of Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection, CH 5132, Image subject to copyright restrictions, IWM Non-Commerical Licence

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Wars and conflicts

War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Campaign: Europe (Air) AWMM
Pacific Theatre of War AWMM
Armed force / branch: Air Force AWMM
Service number: WWII NZ1026 AWMM
WWII 1026 AWMM
Military service: Royal Air Force, No. 74 Squadron AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 75 (NZ) Squadron AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 115 Squadron AWMM
Royal New Zealand Air Force, No. 1 Islands Group AWMM
Royal New Zealand Air Force, Fighter Wing AWMM
The New Zealand (Bomber) Squadron (forerunner of 75 (NZ) Sqn)
Public - Antonio - Researcher - 21 August 2025 - AWMM
Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers: Royal Air Force, No. 74 Squadron AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 75 (NZ) Squadron AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 57 Squadron AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 115 Squadron AWMM

Military decorations

Medals and Awards: Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
22 Dec 1941 AWMM
DSO: NZ Gazette, 6 May 1944. Citation: "This officer has been engaged on active operations over a long period. Since commencing his second tour of operational flying in April 1941, Wing Commander Freeman has carried out thirteen sorties including attacks on Kiel, Berlin and other important targets in Germany, a daylight raid on Brest and an attack on Turin in Italy. As Commanding Officer of the squadron he has set a splendid example by his leadership, enthusiasm and courage ..." (Haigh & Polaschek, p321). "This officer has been engaged on active operations over a long period. Since commencing his second tour of operational flying in April, 1941, Wing Commander Freeman has carried out 13 sorties, including attacks on Kiel, Berlin and other important targets in Germany, a daylight raid on Brest and an attack on Turin in Italy. As commanding officer of the Squadron he has set a splendid example by his leadership, enthusiasm and courage. One day in September 1941, he led the squadron in an attack won Cologne and, in spite of fierce opposition descended to 7,000 feet, flying over the area for an hour searching for his objective which he eventually bombed. A few days later he led his Squadron in a raid on Turin. In the face of heavy opposition he made a successful attack from 1,000 feet. Wing Commander Freeman has spent many hours flying with young crews on operational sorties and his personal example in the face of the enemy has proved a source of inspiration. While employed as navigation officer at station headquarters he continually carried out operations with various units of the group thus taking the opportunity to demonstrate, in a practical manner, the theory he was endeavouring to teach." Hanson, p. 196-7 AWMM
Distinguished Flying Cross and bar (DFC*) AWMM
First award on 22 October 1940, citation: "Since the beginning of the year Flying Officer Freeman has set a high standard as captin of aircraft in active operations against the enemy. He has carried out 28 flights including major bombing attacks on Germany, Holland, Belgium and France. He is a highly skilled and determined navigator, with an almost uncanny ability to fnd his targets even under the worst weather conditions. He has recently carried out specialist photographic reconnaissance at Stettin. By his sense of duty, his determination and courage, he has set a great example to the rest of the crew." He recieved a Bar to the Distingushed Flying Cross on the 4th August 1942. "This officer has completed many successful sorties since being awarded the Distinguished Service Order. On one occasion in May 1942, he led his squadron in an attack on the Heinkel works at Warnemunde. Despite opposition from the ground defences, Wing Commander Freeman pressed home his attack with great determination. Although his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and one engine failed whilst still a considerable distance from this country, he skilfully flew it back to base and landed safely. This officer is courageous and outstanding leader." Hanson, p. 196-7 AWMM
1939-1945 Star AWMM
Air Crew Europe Star AWMM
Pacific Star AWMM
Defence Medal AWMM
War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Military training: —
Branch Trade Proficiency: —
Enlistment: Inter War 06 Jan 1936 AWMM
Age 19 AWMM Royal Air Force AWMM
WW2 17 Jul 1939 AWMM
Age 23 AWMM Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM
Age on enlistment: —
Occupation before enlistment: —

Embarkations

Embarkation details: WW2 Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM

Medical history

Medical notes: Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last known rank

Last rank: WW2 Wing Commander AWMM
Royal New Zealand Air Force, Fighter Wing AWMM
Last rank: —

Biographical information

Trevor Freeman was the son of William Frederick and Eliza Allon Freeman of Dunedin. He was the husband of Judith Freeman.

Freeman was one of the original members of the 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF).

Commanding Officer (CO) of 115 Squadron, RAF, 1941 - 1942.

Director, Air Operations, Royal New Zealand Air Force 08 3 1943

Transferred to New Zealand as Director of Air Operations, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), 1943.

CO of RNZAF Fighter Wing, New Georgia group, Solomon Islands, mid 1943.

Freeman was killed in action over Rabaul. He has no known grave, but his name appears on the

Attended Dunedin Technical High School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845610)) AWMM
Reason for aircraft/pilot loss :

P-40N-5-CU Kittyhawk Serial Number NZ3153 Tail F
RNZAF 14 Squadron

Pilot Wing Commander Trevor Owen Freeman, NZ1026 (MIA / KIA) Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
Missing in action - believed killed in action - December 17, 1943.

Pilot History
Wing Commander Trevor Freeman was the most senior RNZAF pilot lost in the South Pacific and he is an MIA Missing in Action) to this day. Freeman served with the RAF in England flying Gauntlets, Spitfires and Wellingtons; he was awarded the DSC and ar, 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 he was Commanding Officer of the New Zealand fighter wing at Ondonga.

Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 28611. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-5-CU Warhawk serial number 42-104849. Disassembled and shipped overseas to New Zealand as part of defence aid.

Wartime History
Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Kittyhawk NZ3153. Reassembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot (1 AD) at Hobsonville Airfield (Auckland, New Zealand) on July 27, 1943. Assigned to 14 Squadron with code "F". No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On December 17, 1943 took off from Ondonga Airfield on New Georgia at 5:30am - piloted by RNZAF Wing Commander Trevor Owen Freeman on a fighter sweep over Rabaul. This P-40 was one of twenty-four P-40s from RNZAF 16 Squadron and 14 Squadron. They were joined by twenty-two U. S. Navy F6F Hellcats and thirty-one U. S. Marine Corps F4U Corsairs, totalling seventy-seven fighters. This mission was the RNZAF's first major air operation.

The formation first staged to Torokina Airfield to refuel, then took off again and split up into two groups. The New Zealand pilots were led by Freeman and Arkwright en route to Rabaul. Inbound to the target, two P-40s aborted the mission due to mechanical problems, leaving seventy-five fighters that reached the target.

Over the target, Freeman was credited with shooting down one Zero, before disappearing over southern New Ireland pursued by as many as four enemy Zeros. Reportedly, he crashed near Hunter Point, but no trace of him or his aircraft was ever found.

A total of three P-40s were lost, and two pilots went Missing In Action. This aircraft, plus P-40N NZ3175. Nine enemy aircraft were claimed as shot down: five by RNZAF and four by the USN. This aircraft was officially written off books on January 31, 1944.

Memorials
Freeman was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialised at Bourail War Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial, panel 3.
Public - Jenifer - Researcher - 17 October 2019 - Reference : PacificWrecks.com (USA) : © Pacific Wrecks - P-40N-1-CU Kittyhawk Serial Number NZ3153 Tail Code F

Sources

External links: Wing Commander Trevor O. Freeman DSO, DFC, & Bar, Aircrew Remembered
http://www.aircrewremembered.com/freeman-trevor-owen.html
Further Reference
Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2187213
Sources Used
RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ea - Gw. ARchives New Zealand (R17845610)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845610
Sources Used
List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. Archives New Zealand (R17845745)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845745
Sources Used
List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. Archives New Zealand (R17845747)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845747
Sources Used
References: Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1942). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 5 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1941 to 30 September, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
Hanson, C. (2001). By such deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999. Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
p. 196-7
Information kindly provided by family
RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ea - Gw. Archives New Zealand (R17845610) - Former archives reference: AIR118
Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [List of Missing - United Kingdom, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845745)
List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [List of Missing]. Archives New Zealand (R17845747)
Royal New Zealand Air Force. (1941–1945). Contact: National magazine of the R.N.Z.A.F.; the official organ of the Air Force Association (Inc.). Levin, New Zealand: Royal New Zealand Air Force.
V5,n3,p52,53,54, V6,n4,p49 v7,n5,p16

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Trevor Owen Freeman

Trevor Owen Freeman

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