Geoffrey Fisken - top scoring Commonwealth ace in the Pacific

Antipodean Andy · Mar 16, 2009

NZFPM |Flying Officer Geoffrey Bryson Fisken

Fisken was born in Gisborne on February 17 1916, the son of a station-owner. During the thirties he learned to fly in a Gypsy Moth, instructed by ’Tiny’ White, a well known figure in New Zealand aviation between the wars.

In 1939 Fisken was working for a farmer in Masterton. At the outbreak of war he volunteered for flying duties but his was a reserved occupation and it was not until early 1940 that he was released by his employer for service in the RNZAF.

Fisken did his flying training at Bell Block, New Plymouth and at Ohakea, from where he passed out in January 1941 as a Sergeant-Pilot. In February he was posted to Singapore, where he was attached to the RAAF at Sembawang for a conversion course on to Wirraways and then on to Buffalos.

Two squadrons, 67 and 243, were in the process of being formed at Kallang and Fisken was posted there. The two embryo squadrons had only a few pilots and did not form into two separate units until more pilots arrived from New Zealand. The COs and Flight Commanders were RAF officers.

In October 1941 Fisken moved to Mingaladon in Burma with 67 Squadron but returned a few days later to Kallang to serve with 243. After the Japanese invaded Malaya on December 8 1941 the squadron was quickly into action. On the 16th Fisken destroyed a Zero fighter, on the 29th two unidentified Japanese bombers, on January 12 1942 a 97F, two days later another Zero, on the 17th a Navy 96B and probably two more and on the 21st a probable Zero, which was later confirmed.

The squadron, after severe losses, now virtually ceased to exist as a unit and the surviving pilots, Fisken amongst them, took their aircraft and attached themselves to 453 (RAAF) Squadron. It retired to Batavia, in Java, in February 1942 and the remnants of personnel eventually reached Australia, disbanding on arrival at Adelaide on March 15.

With other New Zealand pilots, survivors from 243 and 488 Squadrons, Fisken returned home in late March. After a short spell at Wigram he was posted to Ohakea, where he met up with the other Singapore pilots. They formed a nucleus for 14 Squadron, the first New Zealand fighter squadron, formed for service in the Pacific. The first CO was Squadron Leader John Mackenzie DFC. About this time Fisken was commissioned as a Pilot Officer.

The squadron moved to Masterton and trained on Harvards before receiving its Kittyhawks.

In April 1943 the squadron was posted to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. It moved to Guadalcanal on June 11 and the next day, in its first combat experience, shot down six enemy aircraft, of which two Zekes were destroyed by Fisken. Whilst patrolling over Rendova on July 4 he claimed another two Zekes and a Betty bomber.

In September 1943 Fisken was awarded the DFC. He was invalided out of the RNZAF in December, the result of leg, arm and knee wounds received in Singapore.

With his final tally of eleven aircraft destroyed and another five probably destroyed Fisken was the top-scoring Commonwealth pilot against the Japanese.
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The following link provides some interesting illustrations and photos.

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liverpool annie · Mar 16, 2009

Love the boots here !!:clapping:

Geoff Fisken, Brewster Buffalo ace

Antipodean Andy · Mar 16, 2009

LOL, they look out of place with the shorts, don't they, Annie? Guess you still had to keep your tootsies warm.

A good example of the lighter clothing often worn by overseas aircrew as discussed here: http://ww2chat.com/forums/war-air/4619-raf-burn-injuries-more-prevalent-overseas.html

liverpool annie · Mar 16, 2009

What happened to him after the war ? ... it says he went back to farming ... is he still alive d'you think ?

Annie

Antipodean Andy · Mar 16, 2009

I think I've seen reference, Annie, with relation to him viewing a restored Kittyhawk in his colours. Back to you shortly.

EDIT: apparently this viewing was in 2005.

EDIT EDIT: Annie, can't find anything else. Hopefully that means he's still with us. As an aside, we're already on the first page for googling 'Geoffrey Fisken'!

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