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Re: 9/JG54 pilot mystery 15th August 1940
Peter beat me to it!
Just to add that there are more than just a few mis-identifications that arose through the casualty wearing borrowed or re-issued clothing.
As I recall, the case of Fritz Buchner (26 August 1940) gave rise to some questions at his 1980's inquest due to peculiarities over a name on his lifejacket. Similarly, there have been occasions where casualties were originally buried under the name of the unfortunate victims tailor! One such (if I recall) was a chap identified as "Ernst Neu" who was fished out of the Channel but later identified as somebody totally different. I also have a Police Report on a 1942 Spitfire casualty which names him as LYNCH from name on his Mae-West. It was in fact a pilot called Lee who had replaced Lynch on the squadron and "inherited" Lynch's lifejacket!
Not really adding anything to you query, Trevor, or to Peter's excellent explanation - but just a couple of illustrative cases.
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