Sgt Plzak, 19 Sqn 4 Sep 40

[Chris Goss]

The Form F says he damaged a Bf 109 at 1015 hrs on 4 Sep 40 but this is not supported by the F540 which might indicate the claim was for 5 Sep 40; can anyone confirm one way or the other?

[Jan Gazda]

Hi,

Rajlich´s extensive study about Czech airmen in RAF has it happening on September 5 although he has the claim listed as probable. Plzák, an ace with 3+4 destroyed and 1 probable, was flying Spitfire I K9851.

Jan

[BruceMk11]

The unit history 'Fighter Squadron' also lists the claim-unspecified-on 5/9/40; he was 'Green 2'.

Cheers, Bruce

[Chris Goss]

Thanks gentlemen. Lane's Spitfire also says 5 Sep 40 but the Combat Report definitely says 4 Sep 40. If it was the earlier date, this would make him a prime candidate for the wounding on Balthasar of JG 3.

[VoyTech]

Is it not connected with the documents of the time being filed on 'evening-to-evening' basis? IIRC ORB's from that period list events starting from evening (6 p.m.?) on one day until the evening on another day, so an event on 5 September at 10.15 a.m. could have been filed on a document with the heading date of the previous evening.