The Czech Night Hawk
My wife’s father was a Czech pilot who was the Royal Air Force’s greatest night intruder ace in the Second World War. I told the story of Karel Kuttelwascher in a book published in 1985 called “Night Hawk” and his exploits are summarized in this piece on my web site.
Recently his story featured in a television programme for which my wife and I were interviewed extensively. It was made initially for the ITV’s southern region. However, the programme is to be repeated tomorrow (Monday) on the UKTV History channel (537) . If you’re interested in watching it, the timings are as follows:
- 10:30 to 11:00
- 16:30 to 17:00
- 22:30 to 23:00
November 6th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
That was amazing viewing! Thanks to you, my 14 year old son got to stay up until 23:00 tonight.
Really, an extraordinary story — Hollywood should do a movie version.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:08 am
Thanks, Eric. We thought that writer and director Peter Williams did a really good job integrating all the material into an excellent narrative.
The new airing of the programme has led to me being contacted by someone whose grandfather was also a Czech pilot in the war.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:52 am
hi i know a czech polots grandson luskutin still alive i have the film dark blue world at the moment we are digging one of his spitfires that crashed in wales 1942 he baled out safe. is it true that when they went back they were throne in jail as traitors by the russions there is a photo of him at tangmere denis deaves air historean
November 7th, 2006 at 10:21 am
Hi, Denis.
Miroslav Liskutin wrote an interesting biography titled “Challenge In The Air” which was published by William Kimber in 1988.
You can read my review of the film “Dark Blue World” here.
Following the Communist takeover of Czechoslovkia, all those who had flown with the RAF were dismissed from the air force and many were imprisoned. You can find more about these men here.
November 7th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
thanks for the info in dark blue world i did like the music if anyone is inerested i do have photos denis deaves
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
The programme on Karel Kuttelwascher was repeated again this afternoon (2 April) on UK History Channel. I was an air cadet in Manchester in the 1960s and on one occasion met a number of Polish & Czech former RAF fighter pilots. To an impressionable teenager who aspired to be an RAF pilot, they were “giants amongst men”. It sounds as if your wife’s father stood tall even amongst his contemporaries.
Ironically, I never became an RAF pilot. Eventually, I joined the GPO and stayed (in BT) until the mid-90s. As I was in HR policy for much of my time, I interfaced with POEU, UPW & CPSA as was – different days! Now when I’m not pursuing my PhD at Manchester, I am consulting in southern Africa – different to Manchester in many ways!
Anyhow, like your site a lot
August 4th, 2007 at 11:05 am
From Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Hi Roger!
My father, Josef Vejlupek, was a Spitfire pilot with various squadrons (both the British units and Czech squadrons 310, 312,313). Though born in London just before the end of the war, I was taken by my parents to Czechoslovakia in September/October 1945. My mother’s father was also Czech (Ludwig Walter), but he had lived in London since 1921. On our return, my father was stationed at Cesky Budejovice whilst I lived with my maiden aunt and grandparents in Klatovy. In 1948/9, in the face of the impending communist regime, my mother and I were airlifted back to Croydon Aerodrome as we were British citizens. My father later escaped … but knowledge of this and of my Czech family was lost to me until 1991! More details were revealed when I was able to claim my father’s RAF records (he died in January 1997). I’m trying to write a biographical novel about these events now that I have discovered many of the previously unknown facts relating to my late father’s life. I am well aware that I need to press on with this as the years are flying past and once I’ve gone, there would be nobody to follow it up!
Thank you for your information on the web – it all adds to the melting pot. Can I ask if it is possible to obtain copies of your previous publications and those indicated on your links (the majority are no longer valid links).
Kindest regards.
Linda Vejlupkova
September 17th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
It’s taken long enough! Glad we got rid of those dratted Russians at last. Without the Polish and Czech pilots we might not have won the Battle of Britain, it’s time we honoured their memory.
I’m on a quest, I’m looking for the infamous Mariella Novotny’s father, who flew night fighters out of the Midlands, I recall. Anybody know anything of him? I thought he was Jewish, but I’ve seen a roll of Jewish Czech pilots and he wasn’t on it. Perhaps her mother was Jewish (Cape family from Sheffield). Mariella was part Jewish, she was actually quiet proud of that and spoke Hebrew. I was privileged to have known and loved her in ’61-’62, you see. Far too briefly, unfortunately.
sverre_helgesen@hotmail.com
November 6th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Hello,
I am currently living and working in UK with my wife.
I am very interested in book “Night Hawk” by Roger Darlington (William Kimber, 1985). Do you have any idea where could I buy this book in UK?
Thank you
Petr
November 7th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Hi, Petr.
If you really want a copy in English, you will find second hand copies for sales on this site: http://www.abebooks.com/
However, you may prefer a copy of the Czech edition. I have a few available, so if you want one, e-mail me at: rogerdarlington@dsl.pipex.com