NIGHT HAWK

William Kimber First Edition 1985. 221 pages and very well illustrated with about 50 photos.

A Fine condition hardback book in blue boards with gilt titles. Clean, bright and tight. In a Fine condition unclipped dustjacket in a protective cover. The signed page from an autograph book fits neatly onto the title page, but is not attached.

Karel ‘Kut’ Kuttelwascher was one of the RAF’s top night intruder pilots and was known as the ‘Czech Night Hawk’. His destruction of 15 aircraft in three months brought him the DFC twice in a mere 42 days.

‘Kut’ had been a Czech fighter pilot prior to WWII, escaped and joined the French Air Force destroying several aircraft during the Battle of France. In July 1940, he escaped again to England where he fought during the Battle of Britain with 1 Squadron. He took part in the ‘Channel Dash’ but it was in the lonely night intruder role that his individualistic skills came to the fore. Finishing the war with 18 victories, he remained in Britain and went into civil aviation before dying of a heart attack in 1959 aged only 42.

‘Written by Kut’s son in law, ‘Night Hawk’ is an interesting and well-researched book, an incredible story of determination and courage.  A wartime signature of this great ace is an exceptionally rare find and this one dates to just after the start of his amazing intruder spree. A fabulous addition to any Battle of Britain or Ace collection.