Karel Miroslav Kuttelwascher, "Kut" (September 23 1916 - August 17 1959) was a Czech fighter pilot, a flying ace of the Royal Air Force in World War II. He was the most successful RAF pilot of Czech nationality.

Karel Kuttelwascher joined the Czechoslovak airforce in 1934, became a fighter pilot and serving in the 32nd squadron in Hradec Kralove. After Czechoslovakia fell under German occupation (March 15, 1939), he managed to escape to Poland - like many other Czech airmen. Then, he departed for France, with a group of Czech airmen.

In France, the Czech airmen, including Kuttelwascher, were initially enlisted in the Foreign Legion. After World War II broke out and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, the French started to use Czech pilots properly. On May 17, 1940, Kuttelwascher was assigned to the French GC III/3 fighter squadron, flying a MS.406, then a D.520 fighter. It is unclear whether he achieved any victories in France or how many. Incomplete French documents do not confirm any victories, but Kuttelwascher claimed he destroyed or damaged several enemy aircraft. The most often quoted number of aircraft destroyed is three. When France fell, GC III/6 squadron was withdrawn to Algiers. Kuttelwascher left the French service there on July 1 and got to Britain by sea.

In Britain, Kuttelwascher was assigned to the No. 1 Squadron RAF on October 3, 1940. At the time, the squadron was moved from southern England, so Kuttelwascher did not participate in the Battle of Britain. In December the squadron was moved to Northolt and flew combat missions over northern France. On April 8, 1941, Kut made his first confirmed kill - a Bf 109 fighter. In next two months he added two more. In 1942 he got married in England.

On February 12, 1942, the No.1 squadron took part in a bold attack on German destroyers in the English Channel (Channel Dash). Then, on April 1, 1942, the squadron was assigned to a new type of operation - 'night intruder' missions over France. These were night missions by single aircraft, in order to shoot down German bombers over their own airfields. Due to lack of radar in the aircraft, these missions were undertaken only during a full moon; they were dangerous, demanding both navigation skill and excellent vision. Kuttelwascher flew a Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc with markings JX-E, equipped with additional fuel tanks, which allowed for 3.5 hours of flying-time. He quickly distinguished himself as the best night intruder. On the night of May 4, he shot down three Heinkel He 111 bombers in one flight. During the next three months, Kuttelwascher shot down 15 aircraft and damaged five.

On July 8, 1942, Kuttelwascher was assigned to the No. 23 Squadron RAF, flying a de Havilland Mosquito for night intruder missions, but did not achieve any successes. In October 1942 he was withdrawn from combat flying and assigned to staff work in the Czechoslovak Air Inspectorate in London. In June 1943 he was sent on a six-month mission to the USA. When he came back, he was assigned to the No. 32 Maintenance Unit, where he served until the end of the war.

Karel Kuttelwascher achieved 18 confirmed air victories during the war, which was the highest tally of any Czech pilot (followed by Josef Frantisek), although his kill count may have been higher - a number of 20 is often quoted (with two aircraft shot down in 1940). Karel Kuttelwascher was also the RAF's best night intruder. He was awarded the Czechoslovak War Cross (válečný kříž) five times, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar, and the Croix de Guerre.

After the war, Kuttelwascher returned to Czechoslovakia, but quickly emigrated again when the Communists came to power. He settled in Britain and became a civilian pilot for British European Airways. He died on August 17, 1959, while on holiday in Cornwall, of a heart attack.

External links:

• CZECH NIGHT HAWK