Karel Miroslav Kuttelwascher, "Kut" (September 23 1916 - August 17 1959) was a Czech fighter pilot, a flying ace of the Royal Air Force of the World War II. He was the biggest ace of Czech nationality.
Karel Kuttelwascher joined the Czechoslovak airforce in 1934. He became a fighter pilot, serving in the 32nd squadron in Hradec Kralove. After Czechoslovakia fell under German occupation (March 15, 1939), he managed to escape to Poland through a border, like many other Czech airmen. Then, he departed for France, with a majority of Czech airmen.
In France, most Czech airmen, with Kuttelwascher, were initially enlisted in Foreign Legion in French colonies, as foreigners. After the World War II broke out and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, the French started to use Czech pilots in a proper way. On May 17, 1940, Kuttelwascher was assigned to the French GC III/3 fighter squadron, flying on MS.406, then D.520 fighters. It is not clear, if he achieved any victories in France and how many. Incomplete French documents do not confirm any, but Kuttelwascher himself claimed several aircraft destroyed or damaged. Most often quoted number is 3 destroyed. When France fell, GC III/6 squadron was withdrawn to Algiers in Africa. Kuttelwascher eventually left the French service there on July 1 and got to Great Britain by sea.
In Great Britain, Kuttelwascher was assigned to No. 1 Squadron RAF on October 3, 1940. At that time, the squadron was moved from southern England, therefore Kut did not took part in Battle of Britain. In December the squadron was moved back to Northolt and used in combat missions over northern France. On April 8, 1941, Kut shot the first confirmed Bf 109 fighter, in next two months another two. In 1942 he got married in England.
On February 12, 1942, No.1 squadron took part in a bold attack on German destroyers on English Channel (Channel Dash). From April 1, 1942, the squadron was assigned to a new type of operation - a night intruder missions over France. They were night missions of single aircraft, in order to shoot German bombers over their own airfields. Due to lack of radars in aircraft, these missions were proceeded only during a full moon; they were dangerous, demanding high skills in navigation and perception. Kuttelwascher flew Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc with markings JX-E, equipped with additional fuel tanks, what allowed for 3.5 hour of flight. Kuttelwascher quickly distinguished himself as the best night intruder. On May 4-5, he shot down three Heinkel He 111 bombers in one flight. During three months, Kuttelwascher shot down 15 aircraft and damaged 5.
On July 8, 1942, Kuttelwascher was assigned to No. 23 Squadron RAF, flying de Havilland Mosquito in night intruder missions, but did not achieve any success that time. From 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 in a six-month mission to the USA. When he came back, he was assigned to 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 best result of Czech pilots (the second was Josef Frantisek). Possibly his kill account was even bigger - a number of 20 is often quoted (with two aircraft shot down in 1940). Karel Kuttelwascher was also the best RAF night intruder pilot. He was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar, Croix de Guerre, five times Czechoslovak War Cross (válečný kříž).
After the war, Kuttelwascher returned to Czechoslovakia, but he quickly emigrated again, when communists gained the power. He settled down in Great Britain and became a civilain pilot in the British European Airways. He died on August 17, 1959 from heart attack on holidays in Cornwall.