Friedrich-Karl "Tutti" Müller (25 December 1916 – 29 May 1944) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II. As a fighter ace, he is credited with 140 aerial victories claimed in more than 600 combat missions. He claimed eight aerial victories during the Battle of France, 89 on the Eastern Front, and further 43 victories against the Western Allies in the Mediterranean Theatre and in Defense of the Reich, including 24 four-engined bombers.
Born in Berlin-Lichterfelde, Müller grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he volunteered for military service in the Wehrmacht in 1936. Initially serving with the Army, he transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1938. He completed flight training in 1939 and was posted to Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing). Flying with this wing, Müller claimed his first aerial victory on 27 May 1940 during the Battle of France. He also fought in the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and in Siege of Malta before again transferring to the Eastern Front in 1942. There, he claimed his 100th aerial victory and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 23 September 1942.
In November 1943, Müller was given command of I. Gruppe of JG 53 which was operating in Mediterranean Theatre. In February 1944, he transferred to Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing), initially commanding the IV. Gruppe, fighting in defense of the United States Army Air Forces daytime attacks. In April, he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 3 and claimed his 140th aerial victory on 12 May. Müller was killed in a landing accident on 29 May 1944. Posthumously, he was promoted to Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel).
Early life and career
Müller, who was nicknamed "Tutti", was born on 25 December 1916 in Berlin-Lichterfelde, at the time in the Kingdom of Prussia of the German Empire. He was the son of a public accountant (Rendant). From 1924 to 1927, he attended the 14. Gemeindeschule (14th elementary school), from 1927 to 1932, the Oberrealschule Lichtenberg, a secondary school, and graduated from the 2. Städtische Mittelschule (2nd municipal middle school) in 1934, attaining the Mittlere Reife (Middle Maturity). While at school, Müller was also a member of the Hitler Youth in Potsdam. He joined the military service of the Wehrmacht on 17 October 1936, initially serving with 2. Kompanie (2nd company) of Pionier Batallion 42 (42nd pioneer battalion). On 25 June 1937, he became a Fahnenjunker (cadet), and starting on 16 October 1937, was trained at the Kriegsschule in Munich. There, he was promoted to Fähnrich (officer candidate) on 26 March 1938, effective as of 1 March 1938.
On 28 April 1938, officially effective as of 1 July, Müller was transferred to the Luftwaffe at Bad Aibling where he was promoted to Oberfähnrich (senior officer candidate) on 30 June 1938, effective as of 1 June 1938. On 1 July, Müller was then sent to the Fliegerersatz-Abteilung (Replacement Detachment) 17, renamed to Fliegerersatz-Abteilung (Replacement Detachment) 62 on 11 November 1938, based at Quedlinburg for further training. At Quedlinburg, he was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant) on 8 November 1938, effective as of 1 September 1938. His flight training began on 1 March 1939, at first at Oldenburg, and on 17 July 1939 at the Jagdfliegerschule (fighter pilot school) at Werneuchen. Following flight training, Müller was posted to the III. Gruppe (3rd group) of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing) on 3 October 1939, there he was assigned to the 8. Staffel (8th squadron).
World War II
World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. At the time, III. Gruppe was under the command of Hauptmann (Captain) Werner Mölders and had just been formed at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim on 26 September 1939. Müller's commanding officer with 8. Staffel was Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Hans von Hahn. Müller flew combat missions during the Phoney War period and received the Iron Cross 2nd Class () on 17 April 1940. He claimed his first aerial victory during the Battle of France. On 27 May 1940, during the Dunkirk evacuation, he shot down an Armée de l'Air Curtiss Hawk in the vicinity of Amiens. On 10 June, he was credited with the destruction of three French Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter aircraft. The Geschwader flew its last combat missions in the French Campaign on 19 June. On 20 June, III. Gruppe provided fighter cover in the vicinity of Compiègne during the armistice negotiations which was signed on 22 June.