(1917-02-21)21 February 1917 Kronsdorf, Sudetenland, Austria-Hungary
Died
14 or 16 February 1945 (aged 27) Džūkste, Latvian SSR, Soviet Union
Cause of death
Killed in action
Allegiance
Nazi Germany
Service/branch
Luftwaffe
Years of service
1939–1945
Rank
Oberleutnant (first lieutenant)
Unit
JG 54
Commands held
3./JG 54, 2./JG 54, I./JG 54 EJGr Ost
Battles/wars
See battles
World War II
Eastern Front
Operation Barbarossa
Baltic Sea Campaigns
Siege of Leningrad
Demyansk Pocket
Battle of Kursk
Operation Kutuzov
Tallinn Offensive
Courland Pocket †
Awards
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Otto Kittel (21 February 1917 – 14 or 16 February 1945) was a German fighter pilot during World War II. He 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.[1][2] Kittel claimed all of his victories against the Red Air Force.[3]
Kittel joined the Luftwaffe in 1939, and, in spring 1941, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) supporting Army Group North on the Eastern Front. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October 1943, for reaching 120 aerial victories. During the remainder of World War II, Kittel was credited with 144 more aerial victories and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He was shot down by Soviet aircraft and killed in February 1945. Kittel was the most successful German fighter pilot to be killed in action.[4]
OttoKittel (21 February 1917 – 14 or 16 February 1945) was a German fighter pilot during World War II. He flew 583 combat missions on the Eastern Front...
(Experten) that flew with JG 54 included Walter Nowotny, Walter Boerner,OttoKittel, Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Max-Hellmuth Ostermann, Hugo Broch and Hannes Trautloft...
Gerhard Kittel (23 September 1888 – 11 July 1948) was a German Lutheran theologian and lexicographer of biblical languages. He was an enthusiastic supporter...
Ferdinand Kittel (7 April 1832 – 18 December 1903) was a Lutheran priest and indologist with the Basel Mission in south India and worked in Mangalore,...
Erich Hartmann (352) Gerhard Barkhorn (301) 250–299 Günther Rall (275) OttoKittel (267) Walter Nowotny (258) 200–249 Wilhelm Batz (237) Erich Rudorffer...
Nowotny presented the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Oberfeldwebel OttoKittel. In the days following, Nowotny flew as wingman to Karl Schnörrer, helping...
Erich Hartmann (352) Gerhard Barkhorn (301) 250–299 Günther Rall (275) OttoKittel (267) Walter Nowotny (258) 200–249 Wilhelm Batz (237) Erich Rudorffer...
1944, 28 June 1944, 14 September 1944, and 9, 27 and 29 October 1944, OttoKittel, Luftwaffe fighter pilot on the Eastern Front, became an eight-time ace...
Erich Hartmann (352) Gerhard Barkhorn (301) 250–299 Günther Rall (275) OttoKittel (267) Walter Nowotny (258) 200–249 Wilhelm Batz (237) Erich Rudorffer...
188/181 JG 3, JG 27 Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves 17 December 1943 OttoKittel* Oberleutnant 267/265+ JG 54 Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
who was killed in action on 21 August. Command was then given to Leutnant Otto Leicher who was also killed in action. In consequence, Krupinski was transferred...
Erich Hartmann (352) Gerhard Barkhorn (301) 250–299 Günther Rall (275) OttoKittel (267) Walter Nowotny (258) 200–249 Wilhelm Batz (237) Erich Rudorffer...
who was killed in action on 21 August. Command was then given to Leutnant Otto Leicher who was also killed in action. In consequence, Krupinski was transferred...
Erich Hartmann (352) Gerhard Barkhorn (301) 250–299 Günther Rall (275) OttoKittel (267) Walter Nowotny (258) 200–249 Wilhelm Batz (237) Erich Rudorffer...
Fighter Ace Hans-Joachim Marseille: The Life Story of the Star of Africa), OttoKittel, Heinrich Bär, and Joachim Müncheberg, along with the "panzer ace" Kurt...
Erich Hartmann (352) Gerhard Barkhorn (301) 250–299 Günther Rall (275) OttoKittel (267) Walter Nowotny (258) 200–249 Wilhelm Batz (237) Erich Rudorffer...
Hafner, OttoKittel, Günther Schack, Emil Lang, Erich Rudorffer, Martin Möbus, Wilhelm Herget, Hans-Karl Stepp, Rudolf Schoenert, Günther Radusch, Otto Pollmann...