John Freeborn
John Connell Freeborn | |
|---|---|
Squadron Leader John Freeborn, c. 1944 | |
| Born | 1 December 1919 Middleton, Yorkshire |
| Died | 28 August 2010 (aged 90) Southport, Merseyside |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1948 |
| Rank | Wing commander |
| Service number | 70854 |
| Unit | No. 74 Squadron RAF No. 602 Squadron RAF |
| Commands | No. 118 Squadron RAF No. 286 Wing RAF |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
| Other work | Regional Director for Minster Minerals soft drinks Author |
John Connell Freeborn, DFC & Bar (1 December 1919 – 28 August 2010) was a fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.
In 1939, he shot down another RAF fighter in a friendly-fire incident that marked the first death of an RAF fighter pilot in the war, as well as the first aircraft shot down by a Supermarine Spitfire. The following year, he flew more operational hours than any other RAF pilot during the Battle of Britain.