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Geoff Fisken, a pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during World War II in the Pacific, was a remarkable individual. Born in 1918 in Gisborne, New Zealand, Fisken was sent to Singapore in 1941 to serve with No. 205 Squadron RAF. He completed a fighter conversion course and was deployed to No. 67 Squadron RAF. As the likelihood of war with Japan increased, Fisken was assigned to No. 243 Squadron RAF. Despite the challenges, Fisken achieved numerous feats, including shooting down a Mitsubishi A6M Zero and a Nakajima Ki-27 Nate fighter. His performance led to a promotion to pilot officer and the award of a commission. Despite their efforts, the RNZAF remained largely silent during the war. With 17,000 troops, the RNZAF grew from a training organization to a fighting force.
The RNZAF, a unit of the United States Air Force, was initially limited to a few fighter squadrons equipped with Curtiss P-40s and four light bomber squadrons equipped with Hudsons. However, a "Lend-Lease" agreement was signed between the US and New Zealand in September 1942, resulting in the acquisition of 297 P-40s. The RNZAF's core aircraft was the P-40 and later the Vought F4U Corsair. The first RNZAF squadron, No. 3 BR, landed at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in November 1942, conducting reconnaissance work and searching for Japanese ships. The squadron was awarded the Air Medal for their actions.
The Kiwi forces stationed at Henderson faced similar challenges as other defenders of Guadalcanal. They built dugouts to shield squadron members from nocturnal air assaults, living in terrible conditions in tents. After the Japanese failed to retake Guadalcanal in 1942, they focused on expanding their advanced bases and creating outposts. The RNZAF established new squadrons, including Kittyhawk No. 15, which flew more sorties than any other RNZAF fighter squadron in the Pacific. The squadron engaged in combat, downing six enemy aircraft, including two Zeros. The RNZAF adopted the American method of assigning crews to six-week tours of duty to maintain effectiveness. On May 8, 1943, the RNZAF attacked Japanese warships and transports in Blackett Strait.
In 1943, the Allies gathered enough supplies and soldiers in the South Pacific to attack Japanese positions in the central Solomons. They conducted reconnaissance, checked Japanese air operations, and destroyed naval units. By June, they had set up two forward base complexes for operations against New Georgia. The Japanese bases in the region were Kahili, Ballale, Buka, and Rabaul. The Allied seizure of Munda weakened the Japanese defense screen south of Bougainville, allowing Japanese air bases at Kahili and Ballale to be within 120 miles of Allied forces. The New Zealand Fighter Wing, founded in Ondonga, New Georgia, completed over 1,000 flights during the combat on Bougainville. The New Zealand Fighter Wing's morale held up despite exhaustion, hard working conditions, and Japanese air strikes. The RNZAF aircraft played a crucial role in the Allied air campaign, securing bases from which Rabaul could be attacked.
Airstrips on Bougainville allowed land-based aircraft to fly against Rabaul, both as escorts for bombers and as offensive sweeps. On December 17, 1943, eighty aircraft, including 24 from the New Zealand Fighter Wing, conducted the first fighter sweep. The P-40s were used in all future operations, with the New Zealanders achieving 99 confirmed kills and 14 probables. The RNZAF Venturas and Hudsons of Nos. 1 and 3 Squadrons destroyed four Japanese aircraft. The RNZAF Fighter Wing was reequipped with Corsairs in 1944, which were more offensively potent and adaptable than the Hudson. The Venturas were assigned to bomb and strafe around the Bougainville shoreline, and were despatched in pairs for mutual protection. Despite being severely damaged, the Venturas returned safely to base.
The plan to cut off Rabaul involved securing Green Island, which was chosen as a base for airfields. New Zealand soldiers made landfall on Green Island, and by March 7, both fighter and bomber strips were operational. The Japanese lost a significant number of aircraft, leading to the withdrawal of their squadrons. The final encounter between the Japanese and RNZAF occurred on February 13, with the RNZAF converting Corsairs to fighter bomber operations.
In April 1944, the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington debated the future of the RNZAF, which was initially considered to be limited to a small number of bomber, reconnaissance, and flying boat squadrons for garrison duty in the South Pacific. However, the RNZAF was unhappy about being reduced to a supporting role and sought to include it in any operational theater where it could be useful.
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