N.Z. FIGHTER ACE REPRIMANDED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27463, 24 September 1954, Page 10

N.Z. FIGHTER ACE REPRIMANDED

CONDUCT PREJUDICIAL TO DISCIPLINE (N.Z. Press Association—CopyngM) LONDON, September 21. A squadron leader, described as one of the top fighter aces of the last war and the only New Zea’ander to hold the D.F.M. and Bar, today pleaded guilty at a court-martial at Pembaey Royal Air Force Station to two charges of conduct prejudicial to good order and Air Force discipline. He is Squadron Leader R. B. Hesselyn, D.F.C., D.F.M. and Bar, M.8.E., aged 34, who was sentenced, subject to confirmation, to be severely reprimanded.

He admitted that at a firing practice on Machynys Range, Llanelly, he fired a number of shots “other than at the butts,” and he allowed two other officers to do the same.

The prosecutor said that Hesselyn had been selected to represent the station at the annual Fighter Command Bisley meeting. At a practice shoot a sergeant had seen Hesselyn and two or three others firing in the direction of a mudbank across an estuary near the range. Later Hesselyn had admitted firing a rifle into a mudbank. The defence said Hesselyn had admitted a mistake caused by enthusiasm. He was an excellent shot, having handled firearms since an early age. He had a brilliant record with Fighter Command, particularly during the Battle of Malta, and was credited with 211 enemy aircraft, which put him among the top fighter aces of the last war.

Shot down in 1943. Hesselyn had been sent to Stalag Luft I, where he had engaged in counter-espionage, organised many escapes, and also made many attempts to escape himself. The defence submitted letters commending Hesselyn, including some from high-ranking officers, among them Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Embrey