Vilém was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, in April 1915. At school he was an accomplished pianist and athlete. Upon graduating in June 1934, he volunteered for military service, and commenced his basic training with 2 Air Regiment, Olomouc.
Albín was born in Prague on 21st August, 1919. He was the son of MUDr. Albína Nasswettera, the local doctor in Dolan, Olomouc, where Albin was brought up.
On 28th March, 1942, Warrant Officer Rudolf Ptacek of 602 Squadron, RAF Kenley, was reported missing after a "Rodeo" fighter sweep. It was assumed that he had been shot down in the Calais area during a huge dogfight with a large number of FW190's.
