Jan Zumbach
| Jan Zumbach | |
|---|---|
Jan Zumbach, c. October 1940
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| Born |
14 April 1915 Ursynów, Congress Poland, Russian Empire |
| Died | 3 January 1986 (aged 70) France |
| Allegiance |
 Poland France United Kingdom Katanga Biafra
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| Service/branch |
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| Years of service | 1934–1967 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Commands held | 303 Squadron (1942–1943) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
Jan Eugeniusz Ludwig Zumbach (14 April 1915, Ursynów, Congress Poland, Russian Empire – 3 January 1986, France) was a Polish fighter pilot who became an ace during the Second World War.
The son of Eugeniusz Zumbach and Halina née Gorzechowska from a family of landowners hailing from the region of Płock. Zumbach was registered as a Swiss citizen (his paternal grandfather of Swiss origin setteled in Poland at the end of XIX century). He joined the Polish army in 1935 and served as an infantryman until 1936 when he transferred to the Polish Air Force. After graduating from flying training in 1938 he was posted to 111 Eskadra Myśliwska.
Zumbach did not fly during the German invasion of Poland due to a broken leg from a flying accident during the summer of 1939. He returned to his unit only to be evacuated to France via Romania. While in France, Zumbach flew the Morane 406 and Curtiss Hawk 75 with GCII/55. On 10 June, he was one of several pilots shot down by Bf 109s, but escaped unscathed. On 18 June 1940, he traveled to England by boat and on 2 August was posted as one of the founding members of the newly formed No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron.
During the Battle of Britain, Zumbach scored eight confirmed kills and one probable, mostly against Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. Zumbach was shot down by a JG 3 Bf 109 over Dover on 9 May 1941 when returning from a mission, but he was again able to bail out unharmed.
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