RNZAF Biographies of Deceased Personnel: 1939 - 1945, Ue - Z

413547 Leading Aircraftman (was John) Felix Patrick ULENBERG. Parents: Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Ulenberg of New Plymouth.

Felix Ulenberg was born at Stratford on the 16th February 1915. He received his secondary education at the New Plymouth Boy's High School, passing the Matriculation examination. He played football for his school 1st. XV and cricket for the 1st XI, and afterwards football, cricket and tennis for the New Plymouth Old Boys' Clubs. From the time of leaving school in 1935 until applying for enlistment in aircrew on the 26th August 1940 he was employed in a clerical capacity by the New Plymouth Borough Council.

Leading Aircraftman Ulenberg was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 14th June 1941 and posted to New Plymouth late in July for his elementary flying training. After completing this he was posted early in October to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, Blenheim, where, he was awarded the flying badge on the 18th November.

Leading Aircraftman Ulenberg was the pilot of an Oxford aircraft which crashed at Goulter's Hill, Blenheim on the 20th November 1941, Leading Aircraftman Ulenberg losing his life. He was buried in the New Plymouth Cemetery.

5/1/311 A.S.2. No Log Book.

Mrs. A.T. Ulenberg. (M) (right aligned) 147 St. Aubyn Street. (right aligned) New Plymouth. (right aligned)

404003 Squadron Leader Arthur Ernest UMBERS D.F.C and Bar. Widow: Mrs. P. Appleton (remarried) of Wellington. Father: Mr. R.A. Umbers of Abbotsford, Dunedin.

Arthur Umbers was born at Dunedin on the 30th June 1919. He received his secondary education at the Otago Boys' High School, passing the University entrance examination, and gaining the school certificate. He afterwards studied for the Accountant's Professional examination. From the time of leaving school in 1937 until applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the outbreak of war, he was employed by the Government Tourist Department at Dunedin.

Squadron Leader Umbers was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 24th November 1940 and posted to Taieri, on the 27th December for his elementary flying training, afterward embarking by the "Awatea" on the 27th February 1941 for Canada to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, he was posted to No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Dunnville, Ontario where he was awarded the flying badge and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 10th June 1941. Later while serving in the United Kingdom, he was promoted to Flying Officer on the 10th June 1942, Flight Lieutenant on the 20th January 1943 and Squadron Leader on the 11th February 1944. Meantime on the 14th June 1941 he had proceeded to No. 1 "M" Depot, Debert, Nova Scotia for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Squadron Leader Umbers arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth early in July and was posted a week later to No. 33 Operational Training Unit, and then late in August to No. 74 Squadron. He served with this Squadron until joining No. 486 (N.Z.) Squadron at Wittering, Northamptonshire during April 1942, for operational flying as pilot of Typhoon aircraft. He served with this Squadron there and

-3- (centre aligned) and later at Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire and Tangmere, Sussex, being appointed a Flight Commander during January 1943 and completing an operational tour late in September. He was then posted to Headquarters of Fighter Command for his rest period, but joined the Hawker Aircraft Company at Kingston as a test pilot in October.

Squadron Leader Umbers was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1943 the citation covering the award being as hereunder:- "Flight Lieutenant Umbers has taken part in a very large number of varied operations. In attacks on shipping he had always pressed home his attacks with great vigour and obtained several hits. In air combat Flight Lieutenant Umbers displays great keenness and determination, setting a fine example. He took part in the destruction of and enemy bomber."

Late in April, 1944 he commenced his second operational tour with No. 3 Squadron of No. 85 Group, which formed part of the Tactical Air Force supporting the British Invasion Army. With this Squadron he was successful in shooting down a large number of enemy flying bombs, and took part in many operational flight over enemy occupied territory. On the 24th July 1944 he was given an Immediate Award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, the citation being as follows:- "Flight Lieutenant Umbers has led his flight in 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 eight locomotives were destroyed. By his great skill and unbeatable determination, Flight Lieutenant Umbers has played a worthy part in succcesses achieved. He is a most inspiring leader".

-3- (centre aligned) In December 1944 Squadron Leader Umbers was transferred to No. 486 R.N.Z.A.F Squadron, operating from Airfields on the Continent of Europe, and appointed to command the Squadron.

Squadron Leader Umbers was the leader of a formation of five Tempest aircraft on an Armed Reconnaissance of the Bremen area on the 14th February 1945. During an attack on enemy barges on the Dortmund Ems Canal, North of Meppen, he was hit by enemy flak, and was seen to crash to the ground. In consequene he was reclassified as missing, believed killed in action, and in due course his death was officially presumed to have occurred 14th February 1945. After the cessation of hostilities his body was exhumed at the scene of the crash, and reinterred in the Munster Military Cemetery, Germany.

Find a Grave link with photos of Squadron Leader Umbers: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18430511/arthur_ernest-umbers/photo

Auckland Museum link with photos of Squadron Leader Umbers: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C24464

5/1/837 A.S.2. No Log Book.

Mrs. P. Appleton (W) (right aligned) 187 Onepu Road (right aligned) Lyall Bay, Wellington (right aligned)

DA/NF (right aligned) 427237: Sergeant John Michael UNDERWOOD. WIFE: Mrs. D.M. Underwood of Otakiri, Bay of Plenty (1 child) PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. Underwood of Upper Norwood, London.

John Underwood was born on the 19th September 1911 in London, and received his secondary education at Kinneraly College, Upper Norwood, London. The sports in which he was interested included hockey, tennis and soccer. He came to New Zealand in 1930 and at the time of his making application for aircrew training on the 22nd November 1940 he was employed as a carpenter by Boon, Sullivan & Luke, Whakatane.

Sergeant Underwood was enlisted on the 25th July 1942, at the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua and on the completion of his initial training he embarked on the 10th November 1942 for Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Sgt. Underwood arrived at No. 3 "M" Depot, Edmonton, Alberta on the 28th November 1942 and was posted on the 5th December to No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta, and proceeded on the 21st February 1943 to No. 2 Air Observers' School, Edmonton, Alberta where on the 30th April 1943 he was awarded his air observers badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was posted on the 11th May 1943 to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Sgt. Underwood arrived at No. 12 (RNZAF) Personnel Reception Centre, Brighton on the 4th June 1943 and was posted on the 5th July to No. 9 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, Penhros, Caernarvonshire, where he trained on Anson aircraft. On the 10th August he proceeded to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, and with this unit at Westcott, Buckinghamshire, and at the satellite aerodrome of Oakley, he carried out numerous training flights on Wellington bomber aircraft.