RECORD IN BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 156, 30 December 1944, Page 7

RECORD IN BATTLE

N.Z. TEMPEST SQUADRON (Special P.A Corresoondent.) Rec. 9 a.m. LONDON, December 29. Four Messerschmitt 109's were destroyed and one probably destroyed by the New Zealand Tempest Squadron in a fight with 30 enemy aircraft in the Rhine area, states the Air Ministry. They were shot down by FlightS Lieutenants K. G. Cannon-Taylor (Alexandra), E. W. Tanner (Tauranga), and Flying Officers A. A. Smith (Hamilton) and S. J. Short I (Auckland). Flight Lieutenant Tan|ner probably destroyed the other. ! This brings the squadron's score of [enemy aircraft destroyed to 28. The I squadron is now commanded by Squadron Leader A. E. Umbers,-D.F.C. and bar (Dunedin), who recently succeeded Squadron Leader J. Iremonger, who is an Englishman. Squadron Leader Umbers, who has shot down three and a half enemy aircraft, was [one of its original members, joining las a pilot officer in March, 1942, when it was first formed.

TWO YEARS WITH SQUADRON

He flew with the squadron for two years, being promoted flight lieutenant |in command of a flight during ~ the j period when it was led by D. J. Scott (Hokitika), who is now a group captain. Umbers won the D.F.C. in September, 1943, and the bar in July of this year, • receiving the latter from the King in the field. After completing his first tour of operations with the New Zealand Squadron, Umbers spent eight months testing Tempest aircraft and returned to operations during the Battle. of the Flying Bombs, in which he shot down no fewer than 28. It is an interesting coincidence that another Tempest squadron in the wing with which the New Zealanders are flying is commanded by Squadron i Leader H. N. Sweetman, D.F.C. (Auckland), who, with Umbers, was also an J original member of the New Zealand ; T-empest Squadron. The wing- is commanded by Group Captain P. G. JameI son (Lower Hutt).