Geoffrey Fisken

Geoffrey Fisken, (17 February 1916 – 12 June 2011) was a New Zealand fighter pilot who was the British Commonwealth's leading air ace in the Pacific theatre of the Second World War. He is credited with shooting down eleven Japanese aircraft.

Born in Gisborne, Fisken was a shepherd when he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in 1940. After his training was completed, he was sent to Singapore where he served briefly with the Royal Air Force's No. 67 Squadron before being posted to No. 243 Squadron where he flew Brewster Buffalo fighters. Following the entry of Japan into the Second World War in December 1941, he destroyed several aircraft during the Japanese invasion of British Malaya. Wounded in February 1942, he was repatriated to New Zealand. Upon recovery from his injuries, he was posted to the RNZAF's No. 14 Squadron which had been formed at Ohakea with Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighters. He went with the squadron to the Solomon Islands and during its service there he shot down more Japanese aircraft. By August 1943, he was in poor health and repatriated to New Zealand that month. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September, he was released from the RNZAF on medical grounds at the end of the year. Much of the remainder of the rest of his life was spent farming at Masterton and Te Puke. He died on 12 June 2011 at the age of 95.

Early life Geoffrey Bryson Fisken, the youngest son of a farmer, was born in Gisborne, in New Zealand, on 17 February 1916. As a child he worked on the family farm and when his schooling was completed, he went to Ruakura Agricultural College before he moved to Masterton where he was a shepherd. Fisken, who had built a glider while in his teens, learnt to fly privately during the 1930s. Allegedly, on one occasion, he used an aircraft to round up sheep on his employer's farm.

Second World War In September 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War Fisken volunteered for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), but was initially barred from enlisting. At the time in New Zealand, farming was a reserved occupation as it was considered vital for the war effort. It was not until March 1940 that Fisken was able to enlist, after convincing his employer to release him for service. Following this Fisken was accepted as a pilot and after completing his flying training, gained his 'wings' as a sergeant pilot in early 1941. However, by this time he was back in New Zealand; increasingly troubled with poor health, he had been repatriated the previous month. Fisken, who now held the rank of flying officer, was formally released on medical grounds from the RNZAF in December. The investiture for his DFC was held at Wellington the following year.

Later life Following his discharge from the RNZAF, Fisken returned to farming in Masterton. He was later employed by the Egg Marketing Board after selling his farm before eventually retiring in 1976 after another period of farming, this time at Te Puke. He died on 12 June 2011 at Lara Lodge in Rotorua where he had lived for 31 years. His wife, Rhoda, predeceased him by 14 years. Together they had six children, five boys and a girl.

Although his last victories in the Solomons were clearly documented, the number of his confirmed victories over Singapore has been contested, giving rise to totals of between ten and thirteen in different sources. Nevertheless, he is believed to have destroyed eleven aircraft, with another deemed to have been probably destroyed. He is also credited with damaging an aircraft. Fisken is considered to be the highest scoring British Commonwealth ace in the Pacific theatre.