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'A for Aussie'
MEMORIAL HIGHLIGHT
'A for Aussie' AR-A2 - Avro Lancaster Mk III, ED664
Bomber Aircraft, Second World War
The Avro Lancaster Mk III bomber 'AR-A2 Aussie' (also known as 'A for Aussie') was flown by 460 Squadron RAAF during the Second World War. The aircraft served in dozens of operations, some alongside fellow bomber 'G for George', though the final tally remains undocumented. 'Aussie' was shot down over Holland during the crew’s third and final mission on 23–24 November 1943.
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Last Post Ceremony
Watch the Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Pilot Officer MJ Freeman, who went down with 'A for Aussie' on its final mission.
About 'A for Aussie'
Type: Bomber aircraft
Make: -
Model: Avro Lancaster Mk III
Serial number: ED664
Squadron code: AR-A2
Call sign: A for Aussie / A2 Aussie
Service: 460 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
Conflict: Second World War
Missions: Undocumented
1943 (23-24 November): Crashed
The Avro Lancaster Mk III bomber 'AR-A2 Aussie' was flown by 460 Squadron RAAF during the Second World War. The aircraft served in dozens of operations, some alongside fellow bomber 'G for George', though the final tally remains undocumented.
The 'Aussie' went down, under fire, during the crew’s third and final mission over Berlin on 23-24 November 1943.
The crew was comprised of four Australian and three English airmen, identified below. Of the crew, four were captured and made Prisoner of War [POW] and three were Killed in Action [KIA]. They are laid to rest at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany.
Australian crew, RAAF:
Pilot Officer Maurice Joseph Freeman (413561) - Pilot, KIA.
Flight Sergeant Douglas Buchanan Aberle (427631) - KIA.
Flight Sergeant Arthur Ashley (413508) - POW.
Flight Sergeant Colin Kingsmill (421339) - POW.
English crew, RAF:
Sergeant DA Jackson - POW.
PAF Liddle - POW.
Thomas Elliott RAFVR - KIA.
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Visit memorials for Pilot Officer MJ Freeman at Places of Pride (external website) and NSW War Memorials Register (external website).
Please note: all links listed below are to external websites.
For more details about 'A for Aussie':
- Australians at War, "Loss of Lancaster ED 664" - https://www.ozatwar.com/460sqdn/ed664.htm
- Australians at War, "Lancaster losses, 460 Sqn RAAF" - https://www.ozatwar.com/460sqdn/lanclosses.htm
For more details about 460 Squadron:
- Australian War Memorial encyclopedia, "460 Squadron" - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U59445
REFERENCES
Images: Australian War Memorial UK0502, UK0487
Information compiled primarily from references on the Australian War Memorial's website.
