{{good article}} {{Short description|New Zealand World War II flying ace}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox military person |name= Arthur Umbers |image=Arthur Umbers (cropped).jpg |image_size= |alt= |caption= |nickname= Spike |birth_date= {{birth date|1919|6|30|df=yes}} |birth_place= [[Dunedin]], New Zealand |death_date= {{death date and age|1945|2|14|1919|6|30|df=yes}} |death_place= [[Meppen]], Germany |burial_place=Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany |allegiance= New Zealand |branch= [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] |service_years= 1940–1945 |service_number=404003 |rank= [[Squadron leader|Squadron Leader]] |unit= |commands=[[No. 486 Squadron RNZAF|No. 486 Squadron]] |battles= {{tree list}} * [[Second World War]] ** Channel Front ** [[Western Front (World War II)#1944–1945: The Second Front|Western Front (1944–1945)]] ** [[Operation Diver]] ** [[Western Allied invasion of Germany]] {{tree list/end}} |awards= [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] and [[Medal bar|bar]] |relations= |other_work= }} '''Arthur Ernest Umbers''' {{postnominals|country=NZL|size=100%|sep=,|DFC1}} (30 June 1919 – 14 February 1945) was a New Zealand [[flying ace]] of the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (RNZAF) during the [[Second World War]]. He was credited with the destruction of five German aircraft as well at least fifteen, possibly as many as twenty-eight, [[V-1 flying bomb]]s.
Born in [[Dunedin]], Umbers joined the RNZAF in 1940. After completing his flight training, the latter part of which was received in Canada, he was posted to the [[Royal Air Force]]'s [[No. 74 Squadron RAF|No. 74 Squadron]] in August 1941 and then onto [[No. 486 Squadron RNZAF|No. 486 Squadron]], with which he flew extensively on both night operations and offensive [[sortie]]s for nearly 18 months. After a rest period, during which he was a test pilot for [[Hawker Aircraft|Hawker Siddeley]] and then the [[Gloster Aircraft Company]], he returned to operational flying in April 1944 with [[No. 3 Squadron RAF|No. 3 Squadron]]. The squadron was equipped with the [[Hawker Tempest]] and when the Germans began launching V-1 flying bombs at England, it was tasked with intercepting them. Umbers was the first New Zealander to destroy a V-1. In December he returned to No. 486 Squadron as its commander. He was killed in action when his aircraft was hit by [[flak]] while attacking barges on the [[Dortmund-Ems Canal]].
==Early life== Arthur Ernest Umbers, nicknamed 'Spike', was born on 30 June 1919 in [[Dunedin, New Zealand]],{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|p=59}} the oldest son of Mr. R. A Umbers and his wife.<ref>{{cite news |title=For the Empire's Cause |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19450918.2.2.3|access-date=28 May 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |issue=25951 |date=18 September 1945}}</ref> He went to Green Island School and then [[Otago Boys' High School]]. After completing his schooling, he worked in [[Wellington]] for the [[First Labour Government of New Zealand|New Zealand Government]] and later moved to Dunedin, where he was a clerk for the [[Tourism New Zealand|Tourist Bureau]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Distinguished Pilot Squadron Leader A. E. Umbers: Death Officially Presumed |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19450918.2.42 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |issue=25951 |date=18 September 1945}}</ref>{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}}
==Second World War== Umbers formally joined the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] on 24 November 1940, enlisting as an [[airman|airman pilot]] with the [[service number]] 404003. After initial training at [[RNZAF Station Weraroa|Levin]], he proceeded to [[No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School RNZAF|No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School]] at [[Taieri Aerodrome|Taieri]]. In February the following year, he embarked for Canada for further flight training. This was undertaken at [[RCAF Station Dunnville|No. 6 Service Flying Training School]] near [[Dunnville]]. He earned his [[Aircrew brevet|flying badge]] in June and was promoted to [[sergeant]]. He was subsequently [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] as a [[pilot officer]].{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}}
Proceeding onto the United Kingdom to serve with the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF), Umbers was sent to [[No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF|No. 53 Operational Training Unit]] for familiarisation on the [[Supermarine Spitfire]] fighter. He was then posted to [[No. 74 Squadron RAF|No. 74 Squadron]] in late August.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}} At the time he joined the unit, it was based at [[RAF Acklington|Acklington]], in the north of England, and was equipped with Spitfires. It saw little action for the next several weeks, mostly carrying out protective convoy patrols.{{sfn|Rawlings|1976|pp=186–188}}
===Service with No. 486 Squadron=== [[File:486 Squadron RNZAF Wittering 1942.JPG|thumb|right|A group of No. 486 Squadron personnel with one of its Hawker Hurricanes; Umbers stands fourth left]] In mid-March 1942, Umbers was transferred to the RAF's [[No. 486 Squadron RNZAF|No. 486 (New Zealand) Squadron]].{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}} This had been formed earlier in the month as the second New Zealand squadron in [[Fighter Command]]. It initially operated [[Hawker Hurricane]]s from [[RAF Kirton in Lindsey|Kirton-in-Lindsey]] in a [[night fighter|night-fighting]] capacity. After a period of training, the first operational flight was undertaken by [[Flight Lieutenant]] [[Harvey Sweetman]] and Umbers on 27 April.{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=335–336}} The squadron was also involved with the experimental [[Turbinlite]] program, cooperating with [[No. 1451 Flight RAF|No. 1451 Flight]]. This used a [[Douglas A-20 Havoc]] equipped with a searchlight in its nose. When operating interception missions at night, it would use its radar equipment to locate enemy aircraft, then illuminate them with the searchlight once spotted so that an accompanying Hurricane could endeavour to shoot it down. Umbers was in charge of one of the Hurricane detachments involved in the program, which was ultimately unsuccessful.{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=335–336}}{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|pp=14–16}}
The squadron's regular night-fighting operations were mostly uneventful. After a number of weeks it was switched to [[day fighter|day-fighters]], converting to the [[Hawker Typhoon]].{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=335–336}} From October, and now operating from [[RAF West Malling|West Malling]] and then [[RAF Tangmere|Tangmere]], it was regularly flying missions intercepting incoming [[Luftwaffe]] [[Glossary of RAF code names|Rhubarb]] missions.{{sfn|Rawlings|1976|pp=451–452}}{{sfn|Mitchell|1945|pp=161–162}} On 22 December, while Umbers, now holding the rank of [[flying officer]], and his [[wingman]] were on patrol, a [[Dornier Do 217]] [[medium bomber]] was spotted {{convert|5|mi|km}} away. He and his wingman attacked, setting the engines of the Do 217 on fire and it crashed into the sea.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Mitchell|1945|p=163}}{{sfn|Thompson|1953|p=357}}
Umbers was promoted to flight lieutenant in January 1943, which coincided with him taking over as one of No. 486 Squadron's [[flight commander]]s.{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|p=59}} The squadron was switched to offensive operations in April 1943 and started flying to occupied Europe, escorting bombers. On 9 April, Umbers was credited with a quarter share in two [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]] fighters that were destroyed over [[Étretat]]. He shot down a Fw 190 on 24 June and was credited with another as probably destroyed on 15 July. The squadron later started flying in a [[fighter-bomber]] role, attacking German shipping.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Rawlings|1976|pp=451–452}} Umbers was subsequently awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (DFC),{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}} which was officially announced on 7 September in ''The [[London Gazette]]''. The published citation read: {{blockquote|This officer has taken part in a very large number of varied operations. In operations against shipping he has always pressed home his attacks with great vigour and has obtained several hits. In air combat, Flight Lieutenant Umbers has displayed great keenness and determination, setting a fine example. He has shared in the destruction of an enemy bomber.|''London Gazette'', No. 36161, 7 September 1943<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36161|date=7 September 1943|supplement=y|page=3972}}</ref>}} On 24 September Umbers damaged a Fw 190 southeast of [[Trouville-sur-Mer|Trouville]] and shortly afterwards was taken off operations. He was briefly assigned to the headquarters of [[RAF Fighter Command|Fighter Command]] in a [[Staff (military)|staff]] role but in late October he was sent to [[Hawker Aircraft|Hawker Siddeley]], the aircraft manufacturer, as a [[test pilot]]. Harvey Sweetman, his former flight commander, was already there flying in the same capacity. Umbers fulfilled a similar role for the [[Gloster Aircraft Company]] from November through to April 1944, at which time he was posted to [[No. 3 Squadron RAF|No. 3 Squadron]], at the time operating the [[Hawker Tempest]] fighter.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}}{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|p=95}}
===Defending against V-1 flying bombs=== No. 3 Squadron's operational role was to fly [[Intruder (air combat)|intruder missions]] to France in preparation for the forthcoming [[Operation Overlord|invasion of Normandy]].{{sfn|Rawlings|1976|p=20}} However, when the Germans started launching [[V-1 flying bomb]]s at England, beginning on the night of 12–13 June,{{sfn|Lambert|2011|p=324}} the squadron was tasked to deal with the threat as the Tempest was the fastest fighter plane available to the RAF. Along with No. 486 Squadron, also equipped with Tempests, it formed [[No. 150 Wing RAF|No. 150 Wing]], operating from [[RAF Newchurch|Newchurch]] as part of [[Operation Diver]], the British countermeasure program to the V-1s. Umbers, one of the squadron's flight commanders, was the first New Zealander to destroy a V-1, while on patrol on the morning of 16 June. It was one of twelve V-1s that were dealt with by No. 3 Squadron that day.{{sfn|Lambert|2011|pp=327–329}}{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|p=193}} The following month he was awarded a [[medal bar|bar]] to his DFC, which was presented to him by [[King George VI]].{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|p=193}} The published citation read: {{blockquote|This officer has led his flight on very many sorties during which military transport, railway communications, ammunition dumps and other targets on the ground have been attacked with excellent results; on one occasion 8 locomotives were destroyed. By his great skill and unbeatable determination, Flight Lieutenant Umbers has played a worthy part in the successes achieved. He is a most inspiring leader.|''London Gazette'', No. 36625, 25 July 1944<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36625|date=25 July 1944|supp=y|page=3465}}</ref>}} Over the next several weeks, Umbers accounted for at least fifteen V-1s in total, including three on one [[sortie]] in August. It is possible that he may have destroyed as many as twenty-eight V-1s and his success was such he was interviewed by the [[BBC Home Service|BBC]] for its Nine O'Clock News radio program.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|pp=155–157}} By September, the squadron was flying as part of [[No. 122 Wing RAF|No. 122 Wing]], supporting the Allied troops as they advanced into France. He was also credited with damaging a [[Messerschmitt Me 262]] jet fighter near [[Nijmegen]] on 21 October.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Rawlings|1976|p=21}}
===Squadron command=== [[File:PG Jameson and NZ squadron leaders.jpg|thumb|right|Umbers stands far right with fellow squadron commanders of No. 122 Wing; [[Evan Mackie]] (first left), commander of [[No. 80 Squadron RAF|No. 80 Squadron]] and [[Keith Thiele]] (second left), commander of No. 3 Squadron; the wing commander, [[Patrick Jameson]] stands next to Umbers; all were New Zealanders]] Promoted to [[squadron leader]], Umbers was given command of his former unit, No. 486 Squadron, on 11 December.{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}} At the time, it was part of the [[RAF Second Tactical Air Force|Second Tactical Air Force]], flying from the [[Volkel Air Base|Volkel airfield]] in Holland.{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|p=190}} On 1 January 1945, the Luftwaffe launched [[Operation Bodenplatte]], a coordinated strike against the Allied airfields in the Low Countries. Umbers, in the air at the time and leading a reconnaissance flight, intercepted and destroyed a Fw 190 and a [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] fighter near [[Helmond]].{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Sortehaug|1998|pp=205–207}} He was subject to friendly fire on 13 January when, while supporting the [[First United States Army|United States 1st Army]] in the [[St. Vith]] area, his Tempest was damaged by American [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft fire]]. He crashed behind Allied lines and had a heated argument with American troops over the incident.{{sfn|Lambert|2014|pp=266–267}} Ten days later, near [[Rheine-Bentlage Air Base|Rheine airfield]] in Germany, he shot down a Bf 109.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}
Umbers was killed on 14 February while attacking barges on the [[Dortmund-Ems Canal]], near [[Meppen]]. His Tempest was hit by flak, rolled out of control into the ground and exploded. He had been due to go to England, where his wife was about to give birth to their child.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}{{sfn|Lambert|2014|p=193}} He is buried at Munster Heath War Cemetery in Germany.{{sfn|Martyn|2008|p=483}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Casualty Details: Squadron Leader Arthur Ernest Umbers |url=https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1475862/arthur-ernest-umbers/ |publisher=Commonwealth War Graves Commission |access-date=28 May 2022}}</ref>
At the time of his death, Umbers was credited with having shot down five German aircraft, with one of these shared with another pilot. He is also credited with one aircraft probably destroyed and two damaged. He is responsible for having destroyed between fifteen and twenty-eight V-1 flying bombs, with sources having varying totals.{{sfn|Shores|Williams|1994|p=599}}
==Notes== {{reflist}}
==References== *{{cite book|last=Lambert|first=Max|year=2011|title=Day After Day: New Zealanders in Fighter Command|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|location=Auckland|isbn=978-1-86950-844-9}} *{{cite book|last=Lambert|first=Max|year=2014|title=Victory: New Zealand Airmen and the Fall of Germany|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|location=Auckland|isbn=978-1-77554-043-4}} *{{cite book |last1=Martyn |first1=Errol |title=For Your Tomorrow - A Record of New Zealanders Who Have Died While Serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services Since 1915 - Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices |date=2008 |publisher=Volplane Press |location=Christchurch|isbn=978-0-473-12829-6}} *{{cite book|last=Mitchell|first=Alan W.|title=New Zealanders in the Air War|year=1945|publisher=George G. Harrap & Co.|location=London, United Kingdom|oclc=1079233416}} *{{cite book|last=Rawlings|first=John|year=1976|title=Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft|publisher=MacDonald & James|location=London|isbn=0-354-01028-X}} *{{cite book|last1=Shores|first1=Christopher|last2=Williams|first2=Clive|year=1994|title=Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII|publisher=Grub Street|location=London|isbn=1-898697-00-0}} *{{cite book|last=Sortehaug|first=Paul|year=1998|title=The Wild Winds: The History of Number 486 RNZAF Fighter Squadron with the RAF|publisher=Otago University Print|location=Dunedin|isbn=1-877139-09-2}} *{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=H. L.|year=1953|title=New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force|volume=I|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-1RAF.html|series=[[Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45]]|publisher=War History Branch|location=Wellington|oclc=270919916}}
{{New Zealand World War II Flying Aces}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Umbers, Arthur}} [[Category:1919 births]] [[Category:1945 deaths]] [[Category:New Zealand World War II flying aces]] [[Category:Military personnel from Dunedin]] [[Category:People educated at Otago Boys' High School]] [[Category:New Zealand recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]] [[Category:Royal Air Force pilots of World War II]] [[Category:New Zealand military personnel killed in World War II]]