Kuttelwascher served with the Czechoslovak Air Force and along with many Czech airmen, escaped to Poland and later France, where its believed he shot down several German aircraft. After the fall of France, Kuttelwascher, who by this time was in French North Africa, took a ship to England and joined 1 Sqn RAF in October 1940, in time to see combat at the end of the Battle of Britain.
In 1942 1 Sqn was engaged in night intruder operations over occupied Europe, a task Kuttelwascher excelled at. In just 3 months he shot down 15 German aircraft, eventually taking his score to 20. Kuttelwascher, also later flew mosquitos in the night figher role.
Surviving the war, he returned to Czechoslovakia in 1946. But having married during the war, decided to return to England rather than live at home under communist rule.
In civilian life he became an airline Captain with British European Airways. Kuttelwascher died of a heart attack while on holiday in Cornwall in 1959, aged 42.
JX E and VU Z are a tribute to all the Polish and Czech Pilots who joined the RAF to defend England
1 Sqn’s association with Sydney Camm was to continue well after the war and only ended recently in 2010 with the withdrawal of the Harrier. 1 Sqn was also noteworthy in being the first ever RAF squadron to be commanded by a non Commonwealth citizen, the charismatic WW 2 ace, Major Robin Olds USAF, in 1949.
LED represents the Hurricane Wing Commander Bader flew during the Battle of Britian
