DISTINGUISHED PILOT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25951, 18 September 1945, Page 4

DISTINGUISHED PILOT

SQUADRON LEADER A. E, UMBERS DEATH OFFICIALLY PRESUMED The death has now been officially presumed of Squadron Leader Arthur Ernest Umbers, D.F.C. and bar, son of Mr R. A. Umbers, of North Taieri road, Abbotsford. Squadron Leader Umbers was reported missing on air operations over Germany in February last, and his death is presumed to have occurred on February 14. Squadron Leader Umbers was 26 years of age, and was educated at the Green Island School and the Otago Boys’ High School, where he matriculated. After leaving school he took up a Government position in Wellington, and was transferred to Dunedin on the staff of the Government Tourist Department. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in September. 1940. and went overseas in February,

194 L Following a short period in Canada, he proceeded to England and was posted to Fighter Command, flying a variety of fighter aircraft, including Spitfires, Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Tempests, and taking part in the defence of Britain until after the termination of the flying bomb menace. 116 was the first New Zealander to shoot down a flying bomb, and had the highest score for a New Zealand pilot engaged in combating flying bombs, with a total of 28. He was one of the original members of the New Zealand Tempest Squadron, and after its work in dealing with flying, bombs it was transferred to Holland, whence he operated over Germany until the time he met his death on operations. He was awarded the D.F.C. in 1943 and the bar to the D.F.C. in 1944.

Before the. war Squadron Leader Umbers was a member of the Dunedin Amateur Cycling Club, and had a considerable amount of success in competition. His wife and small daughter (who was born two months after his death) reside in England. A younger brother. Flying Officer Desmond Thomas Umbers, served as a pilot in the R.N.Z.A.F. in West Africa as captain of a Sunderland flying boat for three years, and was invalided hoime towards the end of last year. He is still in hospital.