Churchill's few : the Battle of Britain remembered

Actually, I wasn’t arguing. Like you I was merely trying to help Rob Rooker (and others) decide whether the man in the photograph with the Spitfire was or was not “Zig” Klein. The facts are these:

1) At least three pilots from 152 Squadron identified the man in the photograph as Klein. On the back of an orginal 1940 print of this photo is written “Klein”.
2) Josef Szlagowski (his best friend) also said it was Klein when I interviewed him at his Hounslow flat way back in the late 1970’s early 80’s.
3) Josef Szlagowski also gave me the group photo I have posted and identified the second in from the left as Klein.

Despite the foregoing I accept there do seem to be differences between the man by the Spitfire and the man in the other photos. That said, and ignoring the hair for a moment, they do look facially very similar I feel.

As to the link you have posted, one poster from Poland speaks of Klein having blonde hair. However, unless its me, Jarek then goes on to rather confusingly state that the man by the Spitfire IS Klein.

To compound things even further, the book “Ku Czci Poleglych Lotnikow 1939-45” has a photo of Klein on page 87. That photo seems to bear little resemblance to any of the photos of “Klein” we have thus far seen!

I am not arguing, Robert. Merely trying to help Rob decide whether this is Klein or not. I know that he, and Danny Burt (currently serving in Afghanistan) are both keen to resolve this and all would agree that there seems to be some confusion. I am no longer entirely convinced that ANY of these men is Klein!!!

If Voytech is watching this maybe he could comment??

No point in arguing: blond is fair I think. Go to the link
http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?id=105008;article=21074;search_term=klein

Well, I did not previously know that Zig Klein was “known to be fair haired”. Is that so? In which case, the group photo and the Wynn photo (which I supplied to Ken Wynn) would appear not to be Klein either as, to me, they don’t appear fair haired. It might just be how I am viewing the photo, but they look dark haired to me.

Attached is a photograph of Sgt Zygmunt Klein as recognized by Ken Wynn. ‘Men Of The Battle’. To me, this man is the same one from the group photograph, 2nd left. Hairline in both is receding and Klein was known to be fair haired: both have fair hair. Pilot with Spitfire, has a full head of hair not just windblown: you can also see his hairline through it and, his hair appears to be dark and I don’t think thats a result of the quality of the photograph. The ‘mystery man’? As you know from other discussions remains unknown and could be anyone. These things happen but its better not to tag an unknown pilot with a name that has some doubts..this photograph has more than a few doubts about it in its choice of name.

Facially, he looks very similar although I would agree these are small and not hugely distinct images. All the same, the pilot by the Spitfire seems to be having his hair blown around in a breeze – is it not possible that his mop of hair is simply being blown around to make it appear that he has discovered hair restorer? Also, that perhaps he has much shorter-cut hair in the group picture and with his hair hidden under his cap?

The second photo, Robert, is certainly of Zig Klein (second from left) unless his friend Josef Szlagowski was wrong.

If it is not Klein by the Spitfire the mystery remains; ie who is he and why have others identified him as Klein? I would add that on my original photo one can see Sgts stripes on his left sleeve and these are JUST visible in the image Rob Rooker has posted.

No idea who either of them are. However, the pilot, 2nd left in group, has a definite receding hair line evident below the peak of his hat. The lone pilot has a ‘bushy’ head. If this is the same man then he has discovered hair restorer as this photo seemingly was taken later then the group one.

It looks very much as if it could be the same chap to me. However, I accept that others have stated elsewhere that it is not him. That said, the photo of the chap by the Spitfire came to me from people who would and should have known it was him – and that was over thirty years ago, remember.

As to the group shot, it came from his best friend and so I cannot see that he would have got it wrong either.

The jury might be out, but I still think the chap by the Spitfire is Klein. If it is not him then I cannot figure who else on 152 Squadron it might be.

Hi Andy, yeah that’s the one, I’ve been talking to some of the 152 Guys still left and one sent me a photo copy of that picture, It looks to be SGT Zig Klein to me.

Would you say it’s the same person ??

Cheers
Rob….

Ah!

The ongoing “Zig” Klein controversy!!

I had some considerable input to John Willis’ book “Churchills Few”. Hard to believe it was 25 years ago.

Is this the picture you mean? “Zig” Klein is second from left.