[David Sumerauer]

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