Personal Life
Otto Kittel was born on 21 February 1917 in Kronsdorf (Czech: Korunov) near Krnov in Sudeten Silesia, Austria-Hungary. His father's name was Eduard Kittel. Otto had a reserved personality, softly spoken, which did not fit the perceived public image of a fighter pilot.
Fascinated with flight at an early age, he joined the Luftwaffe in 1939 at age 22. After completing his training on 12 February 1941, Kittel was posted to JG 54 based at Jever, Germany. Kittel was assigned to 2 Staffel (Squadron) JG 54 at the rank of Unteroffizier. During his training he was considered a good comrade on account of his unshakeable calm, presence of mind and sense of duty. Owing to his attributes, his superior officers treated him with respect. During his training and early career Hannes Trautloft became a role model and offered Kittel advice about his techniques. He also formed a friendship with German ace Hans Philipp, who often shared advice about aerial combat. Philipp had served as a pastor when Kittel married his fiancé, Edith in June 1942 at Krasnogvardeysk. Edith had travelled into occupied Soviet territory near the front line to marry Kittel. They had one son, Manfred Kittel, born in 1945.
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