Dec

17

His book Tiger Cub: The Story of John Freeborn DFC* is the best writing about the RAF in WW 2.

The facts are from Grok; the comments are mine.

John Connell Freeborn, DFC & Bar (1 December 1919 – 28 August 2010), was a distinguished British fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was kicked out of Leeds Grammar School at 16 for fighting and found his calling when he joined the RAF 3 years later under a short service commission. After 4 hours and 20 minutes of flight time, he was allowed to solo. In 3 months he went from trainee to pilot officer.

During the Battle of Britain (July–October 1940) Freeborn flew more operational hours than any other RAF pilot—over 300 sorties. He is credit with 5 confirmed kills (Messerschmitt Bf 109s) and 3 shared kills.

Freeborn served as RAF liaison and test pilot in the United States (January–December 1942), commanded No. 118 Squadron (June 1943–January 1944), was wing commander of 286 Wing in Italy (1944–1945). He quit the RAF in 1946; it was, he said, "run by nincompoops".


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