1. Otto Kittel was a German fighter pilot during World War II.
19 Facts About Otto Kittel
1. 2.
Otto Kittel flew 583 combat missions on the Eastern Front, claiming 267 aerial victories, making him the fourth highest scoring ace in aviation history according to authors John Weal and Jerry Scutts.
3.
Otto Kittel joined the Luftwaffe in 1939, and, in spring 1941, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54 supporting Army Group North on the Eastern Front.
4.
Otto Kittel received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October 1943, for reaching 120 aerial victories.
5.
Otto Kittel was shot down by Soviet aircraft and killed in February 1945.
6.
Otto Kittel was the most successful German fighter pilot to be killed in action.
7.
Otto Kittel was born on 21 February 1917 in Kronsdorf in Sudeten Silesia, Austria-Hungary, present-day Krasov.
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Otto Kittel was the son of Eduard Kittel, a farmer.
9.
Otto Kittel married his fiance, Edith, in June 1942; the couple had a son, born in 1942.
10.
On 24 June 1941, Otto Kittel claimed his first two aerial victories, two Tupolev SB-2 bombers.
11.
On 14 September 1943, Otto Kittel claimed his 100th aerial victory, a Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter.
12.
On 1 November 1943, Otto Kittel was promoted to the rank of Leutnant.
13.
Otto Kittel was then posted to Erganzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost, a supplementary training unit for fighter pilots destined for the Eastern Front, as an instructor.
14.
On 9 February 1944, Otto Kittel was appointed Staffelkapitan of 3.
15.
On 4 April 1944, Otto Kittel claimed his 150th aerial victory.
16.
Otto Kittel received the Oak Leaves from Adolf Hitler at the Berghof on 5 May 1944.
17.
In consequence, Otto Kittel temporarily led the Gruppe during his absence.
18.
Otto Kittel was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on 25 November 1944.
19.
Otto Kittel was hit by return fire from an Il-2 ground attack aircraft.