W/C J.E.Zumbach

[Jaap Woortman]

In the closing days of WWII, at April 7th. 1945, W/C J.E.Zumbach no.84 Group made a crashlanding in a still by the Germans occupied piece of the Netherlands.
He was flying or was a passenger in the Auster MT440. In his flightbook this incident was not mentioned. Does someone know at what place in the Netherlands he made his crashlanding. It is said that he was taken PoW for a short time. Information from Halley, James. Air Britain Serials MA100-MZ999. Tonbridge, 1999 and Polenmuseum Rapperswil.
Looking forward for your answers.

Jaap

[Franek Grabowski]

There are several stories (as usual with Zumbach) covering the same incident. It seems he flew an Auster with another pilot as passenger from Gilze Rijen to Eindhoven. They were a little bit drunk and got lost, so landed in field to wait to th next morning. They were taken PoW and send to a camp on an Dutch island. According to one version, the landing place was close to HQ of Blaskowitz, who met them personally, but could you believe it?

[Jaap Woortman]

Thanks Franek,

If this is true he must have landed close to Hilversum.
At that day, April 7th, 1945, Blaskowitz was CO of the 25th Army and became Kampfkommandant Holland and his HQ was close to Hilversum. Could be true.

Jaap

[Franek Grabowski]

Jaap
Please let me know if you find the place!