Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - Collision between two Czech Spitfires 15 June 1945

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Andy Saunders

16th July 2011 18:35

Collision between two Czech Spitfires 15 June 1945

I am trying to tie two pilots to two aircraft but have conflicting information.

Can anyone help?

On 15 June 1945 W/O Landsmann of 310 Squadron collided with another Spitfire of that squadron flown by V.Popelkou.

Landsmann was killed (missing) and Popelkou evidently baled out safely.

I have MH323 at Potters Bridge, Suffolk, and HM330 in sea off Southwold.

Is this correct? And which pilot was in which aeroplane?

My notes and published sources do not agree.

Leendert

16th July 2011 19:58

Re: Collision between two Czech Spitfires 15 June 1945

Andy,

What I found so far is Jindrich (Henry) Landsmann in MH323 and Viktor Popelka in MH330.

Regards,

Leendert

Andy Saunders

16th July 2011 20:26

Re: Collision between two Czech Spitfires 15 June 1945

Thanks Leendert.

That makes Landsmann's crash (apparently) on land at Potter Bridge.

Was he still in his aircraft when it crashed, or had he baled out?

Anybody know?

Michal

17th July 2011 10:57

Re: Collision between two Czech Spitfires 15 June 1945

Hello,

during training dog-fight between Czechoslovak Spitfires and USAAF Mustangs over Sea (so called Fighter Affiliation) had two No. 310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron´s Spitfires collision. At 14.40 o´clock collided W/O Jindřich Landsmann (Spitfire F.Mk.IXC, MH323, NN-L) with F/O Viktor Popelka, DFC (Spitfire F.Mk.IXC, MH330, NN-U). Accident took place over British Channel nearby Potter Bridge, South Cove (Southwold, Suffolk). Popelka bailed out and was saved by sailors from trawler HMS Florio. Both Spitfires fell into Sea. Body of W/O Landsmann was never found.

David Sumerauer

17th July 2011 21:33

Re: Collision between two Czech Spitfires 15 June 1945

Dear Andy,

in Jiri Rajlich book dealing with losses of Czechoslovakians serving in RAF , J. Rajlich, Na nebi hrdeho Albionu, vol. 7, ISBN80-86808-12-2 are on the page 800 photocopies of telegrams refering to the above losses.
The one dealing with F/O Viktor Popelka 178523, DFC clearly states
Spit IXf, MH330, Merlin 63 157561/445591
pilot uninjured, baled out and picked up by HM trawler Florio and transfered to HSL 24 ASR Gorlestone

the status of aircraft is given as total wreck, burnt, salvage YES, cat E

If the salvage (of metal at least) was possible, it means that Spitfire of F/O Popelka was probably the one crashing on land. The other Spitfire MH323 of W/O Jindrich Landsman, 788129 is given as A/C crashed into sea, total loss, salvage NO

Best regards.
David

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