This is the story of Lieutenant Otto Kittel, the most successful fighter pilot of JG 54. Born on February 21, 1917, in Kronsdorf in the Sudetenland, he joined the 2nd Squadron of JG 54 "Grünherz" in February 1941 after completing his pilot training and was transferred with the squadron to Lindental in June 1941, from where the first missions to Russia were flown. Like many of the most successful fighter pilots, he needed a long lead time to become a successful hunter. It wasn't until February 1943 that he achieved his 39th aerial victory. However, after that, his kill count increased dramatically. On October 29, 1943, Otto Kittel was awarded the Knight's Cross for his 123rd kill, followed by the Oak Leaves in April 1944, and on November 25, 1944, after his 230th aerial victory, he was awarded the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. Lieutenant Kittel met his end on February 14, 1945.