Mato Dukovac: The complex life of a decorated WWII fighter pilot

Mato Dukovac, recognized as the most successful Croatian fighter pilot of World War II, led an extraordinary and politically complex life serving in five different militaries. Born in 1918 in Surčin, Dukovac began his career in the Royal Yugoslav Air Force before the German invasion in 1941. Following the establishment of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), he joined its air force and later served within the German Luftwaffe as part of the Croatian Air Force Legion on the Eastern Front.

During his service on the Eastern Front, Dukovac achieved his first aerial victory over the Caucasus in November 1942 while flying a Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2. His military career was marked by frequent shifts in allegiance; he defected to the Soviets in September 1944, later fled to Italy, and eventually participated in the creation of the Syrian Air Force. He also flew in the first Arab-Israeli War. After his military service, he concluded his professional career working for IBM.