[stephen f. polyak]

It's not necessarily too low. In fact, main plates fitted to some 109Es and earlier types were positioned even lower (and also further forward). I doubt pilots and crew even noticed these plates. (Allied soldiers were another matter!) Their location was of no particular consequence. As mentioned above, various positions related to maker and production type/series were used. Now, taking the guessing game further . . . what if main plates on 109Ks were typically over-painted? This would perhaps explain why these plates do not "jump out" of period photos. And going further, what if the plate in this picture was already removed? What would appear there, but lighter, unpainted/primed fuselage skinning. Given the propensity of GIs for souvenir gathering (and the size and apparent leisure of this group), such a grab is not beyond possible. We certainly know that many plates landed in the pockets of the victors.