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RAF 36192 Squadron Leader Arthur Mitchell PAAPE, D.F.C. and Bar.
Mother: Mrs. M.A.J. Paape of Dunedin.

Arthur Paape was born at Dunedin on the 13th April 1919. He received his secondary education at the Waitaki Boys' High School, passing the Matriculation examination and gaining a higher leaving certificate. He played tennis for the St. Kilda Club, and was Otago Junior tennis champion. He also played golf for the Balmacewan Club.

For a time he was employed by the Australian Mutual Provident Society in a clerical capacity, and at the time of applying for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force, on the 10th December, 1937, was employed by his father in the Grand Hotel in Dunedin.

Squadron Leader Paape was selected for a short service commission in May 1938 and commenced his elementary flying training in June with the Otago Aero Club, afterwards reporting to Wigram on the 13th September for his service flying training in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer. He embarked by the "Waimarama" on the 17th April 1939 for the United Kingdom.

Squadron Leader Paape arrived at No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, Middlesex on the 22nd May and on the 2nd June was posted to No. 114 Squadron, at Wyton, Huntingdonshire where he converted to Blenheim aircraft. Late in August he transferred to No. 104 (b) Squadron at Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire and later at Bicester, Oxfordshire. On the 11th November he joined No. 101 Squadron at West Raynham, Norfolk and on the 5th February 1940 No. 106 Squadron at Finningley, Yorkshire. During March and April he completed a course at the School of Air Navigation, St. Athan, Glamorganshire, and on the 6th May was posted to No. 61 Squadron at Hemswell, Lincolnshire. From this base as pilot of Hampden aircraft he took part in thirty four operational flights the targets including Munchen-Gladback, Salzbergen, Rheine (2), Koblenz, Euskirchen, Meppen, Hamburg, the Dortmund Ems Canal (2), Essen (2). Marshalling yards in the Ruhr, Kiel, Berlin (2), Leipzig, Leuna, Cologne, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven (2), Bruges, Soissons, Ostend (2), and Bordeaux in France, Rotterdam and Antwerp, and three minelaying sorties in enemy waters. In October, 1940 he completed his first operational tour and on the 18th February 1941 was posted to No. 207 Squadron at Waddington, Lincolnshire, where he converted to Manchester aircraft. With this Squadron he took part in a further seven