177 Facts About Adolf Galland

Adolf Josef Ferdinand Galland was a German Luftwaffe general and flying ace who served throughout the Second World War in Europe.

Adolf Galland flew 705 combat missions and fought on the Western Front and in the Defence of the Reich.

Adolf Galland's application was accepted, but he never took up the offer.

In early 1940, Adolf Galland managed to persuade his superiors to allow him to become a fighter pilot.

Adolf Galland flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain.

In 1941, Adolf Galland stayed in France and fought the Royal Air Force over the English Channel and Northern France.

In November 1941, Werner Molders, who commanded the German Fighter Force as the General der Jagdflieger, was killed while a passenger in a flying accident and Adolf Galland succeeded him, staying in the position until January 1945.

In late January and early February 1942, Adolf Galland first planned and then commanded the Luftwaffe's air cover for the Kriegsmarine Operation Cerberus, which was a major success.

The Luftwaffe fighter force was under severe pressure by 1944, and Adolf Galland was blamed by Goring for the failure to prevent the Allied strategic bombing of Germany in daylight.

The relationship collapsed altogether in early January 1945, when Adolf Galland was relieved of his command because of his constant criticism of the Luftwaffe leadership.

Adolf Galland was then put under house arrest following the so-called Fighter Pilots' Revolt, in which senior fighter pilots confronted Goring about the conduct of the air war.

In March 1945, Adolf Galland returned to operational flying and was permitted to form a jet fighter unit which he called Jagdverband 44.

Adolf Galland became friends with many former enemies, such as RAF aces Robert Stanford Tuck and Douglas Bader.

Adolf Galland was born in Westerholt, Westphalia on 19 March 1912 to a family with French Huguenot ancestry.

Adolf Galland was the second of four sons of Adolf Galland and his French wife Anna, nee Schipper.

Adolf Galland worked as the land manager or bailiff to the Count von Westerholt.

Adolf Galland travelled by foot or horse-drawn wagon 30 kilometres to help prepare the gliders for flight until his father bought him a motorcycle.

Adolf Galland had learned the basic laws of flight and flying technique on paper, but found they did not always work in reality; his inexperience caused a few accidents.

One of his tutors, Georg Ismer, taught him various techniques and in 1929 the 17-year-old Adolf Galland passed his A certificate.

Adolf Galland became an outstanding glider pilot; he became an instructor before he had passed his Abitur.

In February 1932, Adolf Galland graduated from Hindenburg Gymnasium in Buer and was among 20 personnel who were accepted to the aviation school of Germany's national airline, Luft Hansa.

Adolf Galland had some experience of flying gliders, so he applied to the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule or DVS which was heavily subsidised by Luft Hansa.

Adolf Galland was one of 100 successful applicants out of 4,000.

Adolf Galland had two notable accidents; a heavy landing damaged the undercarriage of his aircraft and a collision.

Adolf Galland was judged to have employed poor formation tactics in the latter incident.

Adolf Galland applied to join the German Army in the belief he had failed to pass.

Adolf Galland discovered the Army accepted his application, but the flying school refused to release him.

Early in 1933, Adolf Galland was sent to the Baltic Sea training base at Warnemunde to train on flying boats.

Adolf Galland disliked learning what he perceived to be "seamanship" but logged 25 hours in these aircraft.

In May 1933, Adolf Galland was ordered to a meeting in Berlin as one of 12 civilian pilots among 70 airmen who came from clandestine programmes, meeting Hermann Goring for the first time.

Adolf Galland was impressed by Goring and believed him to be a competent leader.

In July 1933, Adolf Galland travelled to Italy to train with the Regia Aeronautica.

In September 1933, Adolf Galland returned to Germany and flew in some minor competitions as a glider pilot, winning some prizes.

In December 1933, Adolf Galland was recalled to the ZVS headquarters and offered the chance to join the new Luftwaffe.

Adolf Galland wanted the adventure of a military flying career, but as an airline pilot, Galland had enjoyed the lifestyle of flying and visiting exotic places and was reluctant to give it up.

In February 1935 Adolf Galland was now part of 900 airmen waiting to be inducted to the new ReichsLuftwaffe.

In March Adolf Galland was ordered to report to Jagdgeschwader 2, arriving at its headquarters in Juterbog-Damm on 1 April 1935.

Adolf Galland's performance had not yet been impressive enough for a position as an instructor, so he was evaluated and deemed good enough for an operational posting.

Adolf Galland admitted having fragments of glass in his eye, but convinced the doctors he was fit for flying duty.

Adolf Galland was ordered to undergo eye tests to validate his claims.

Adolf Galland memorised the charts passing the test and was permitted to fly again.

In Spain, Adolf Galland first displayed his unique style: flying in swimming trunks with a cigar between his teeth in an aircraft decorated with a Mickey Mouse figure.

On 24 May 1938 Adolf Galland left Spain and was replaced by Werner Molders.

Adolf Galland was crazy about hunting anything, from a sparrow to a man.

From May to August 1938, Adolf Galland took leave and visited Spanish Morocco.

Adolf Galland favoured the virtually simultaneous attack of the air force before the Army advance, leaving their opponents no time to recover.

Adolf Galland adopted the Italian suggestion of heavy armament and criticised the light machine guns in early German fighter aircraft and pointed to the advantages of multi-gun configurations.

Adolf Galland recognised the innovation of drop tanks to extend the range of aircraft as well as the need for specialised tactics for escorting bomber fleets; Galland did not subscribe to the prevailing idea in the Luftwaffe that the bomber "would always get through".

That day, Adolf Galland was appointed Staffelkapitan of the Gruppes 1.

Adolf Galland served in this capacity until 31 July 1939 when he was transferred to take command of 5.

Just before the outbreak of war, Adolf Galland was promoted to Hauptmann.

Adolf Galland's Geschwader flew intensive sorties in support of the division and XVI Army Corps at Krakow, Radom, Deblin and L'vov.

Adolf Galland participated in the maximum effort by the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Bzura.

Adolf Galland ceased combat operations on this date, having flown 87 missions.

Adolf Galland tactfully suggested a transfer to a single-engine aircraft type with a closed cockpit would improve his condition.

Adolf Galland was removed from his post as a direct ground support pilot.

Adolf Galland never explained whether open cockpits had caused the complaint or some other cause; given his performance with eye specialists, a certain amount of suspicion is reasonable.

Adolf Galland was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 27 on 10 February 1940 as the adjutant, restricting him from flying.

Adolf Galland learned Molders' tactics, such as using spotter aircraft to indicate the position of enemy formation.

Adolf Galland learned to allow a Staffel to operate freely in order to seize the initiative.

Adolf Galland gained further experience as a combat leader acting as Gruppenkommandeur, when the officer commanding went on leave.

Adolf Galland claimed his third Hurricane later that same day over Tienen.

Adolf Galland had long believed that his opponents had been Belgian, not knowing that all of the Belgian Air Force's Hurricanes had been destroyed on the ground in the first two days, without seeing combat.

Adolf Galland sent back a can of fuel for his wingman, who had landed short of the runway.

Adolf Galland continued flying and the next day, claimed another three more aircraft, making a total of seven.

On 6 June 1940, Adolf Galland took over the command of III.

Adolf Galland's Staffelkapitans included Joachim Muncheberg, Wilhelm Balthasar and Gerhard Schopfel.

Staffel had mistakenly attacked Adolf Galland during Fall Rot.

Adolf Galland was pleased, having served under him during his Condor Legion days.

From June 1940 on, Adolf Galland flew as the Gruppenkommandeur of III.

Adolf Galland was shocked by the aggression shown by pilots he initially believed to be relatively inexperienced.

Adolf Galland later said he realised there would be no quick and easy victory.

On 1 August 1940, Adolf Galland was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his 17 victories.

Adolf Galland continued to make fighter sweeps over southern England before the main assault opened.

One of Adolf Galland's claims was against 54 Squadron RAF that had surprised him with their aggressive attacks three weeks before.

Adolf Galland was summoned to Karinhall on 18 August 1940, and missed the intense air battle that day, known as The Hardest Day.

Adolf Galland resented his pilots having to carry out a task unsuited to their equipment but Goring would not move from his position.

Adolf Galland claimed that fighting spirit was affected when his pilots were tasked with close-escort missions:.

Adolf Galland increased the wing staff flight from Handrick's two-aircraft formation to a more lethal four-fighter formation.

Adolf Galland was not content to lead from behind as his predecessor had been.

Adolf Galland flew as often as possible and led the most difficult missions in order to encourage his men and gain respect.

Adolf Galland spotted two more Hurricanes below and attacked in a classic ambush style from the enemy's blind spot.

Adolf Galland was granted a personal audience with Hitler and during the meeting Adolf Galland reported to Hitler that the British had proven tough opponents, and that there were signs of declining morale in the German fighter force in the absence of operational success.

Adolf Galland innovated tactically to improve the situation and found a partial solution to Goring's irrational order to maintain close escort.

Adolf Galland developed a flexible escort system that allowed his pilots constantly to change altitude, airspeed, direction, and distance to the bombers during these close-escort missions.

Adolf Galland accepted the mission but damaged the morale he had cultivated.

Adolf Galland's decision was even more difficult to understand given his service as a ground attack pilot.

On 15 April 1941, Adolf Galland took off with lobster and champagne to celebrate General Theo Osterkamp's birthday at Le Touquet, France.

Adolf Galland made a detour with his wingman towards England, looking for RAF aircraft.

Adolf Galland attacked and claimed two confirmed and one unconfirmed shot down.

Adolf Galland received a telephone call from Goring on 10 May 1941, requesting Adolf Galland to intercept a Messerschmitt Bf 110 flown by Rudolf Hess heading for Scotland.

Adolf Galland sent out fighters to conduct some sweeps so he could honestly claim to have carried out his orders but it was nearly dark and Adolf Galland ordered his pilots unused to night flying to stand down.

Adolf Galland bailed out and tugged at what he thought was his parachute ripcord, but was actually pulling at his parachute release harness.

Theo Osterkamp drove over to the hospital where Adolf Galland was being treated for his wounds and informed him his 69 victories had now earned him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Adolf Galland had been shot up and shot down twice in the space of four days.

Adolf Galland replied that he feared Douglas would attempt to escape and they would have to give chase and shoot at each other again, and declined the request.

Adolf Galland's opponents were No 611 Squadron Pilot Officers J F Reeves and N J Smith.

Adolf Galland was not enthusiastic about his promotion, seeing himself as a combat leader and not wanting to be "tied to a desk job".

Adolf Galland was the youngest General in the armed forces.

The need was now pressing, as Germany had declared war on the United States on 11 December 1941, and Adolf Galland was keen to build up a force that could withstand the resurgence of the Western Allied Air Forces in preparation for what became known as the Defence of the Reich campaign.

Adolf Galland was outspoken, something that was not often tolerated by Goring.

Adolf Galland, who was pushing for a major increase in his fighter force, did not appear to recognise the threat in the west at that time either.

Adolf Galland remarked in February 1943, that the fighter force had solved the problem of fighting four-engine bombers by day.

Adolf Galland's confidence was misplaced; his airmen had not yet faced the hundreds of American bombers to fly over Germany in 1943, nor the thousands that joined the fight in 1944.

Months later, Adolf Galland became one of the strongest advocates for more resources for Defence of the Reich duties.

Adolf Galland had been supporting operations in the area since April 1943, but the Tunisian defeat caused a reorganisation of Axis air forces in the south.

Adolf Galland's orders were to improve efficiency, morale and the supply of aircraft and pilots.

Adolf Galland's failings delighted Richthofen who was content to allow Adolf Galland "enough rope to hang himself", which deflected attention from others.

Since the Allied invasion of Sicily, Adolf Galland had lost 273 German and 115 Italian aircraft and imposed a cost of only around 100 on Allied air forces.

Adolf Galland was often at odds with Goring and Hitler on how to prosecute the air war.

Adolf Galland suggested that the fighter forces defending Germany should limit the number of interceptions flown to allow sufficient time for re-grouping and to conserve air strength.

Adolf Galland demanded every raid be countered in maximum strength regardless of the size of the Allied fighter escort.

Adolf Galland presented these wrecks as proof that the Luftwaffe was facing an enemy that could soon escort its heavy bombers with fighter aircraft to industrial targets inside Germany.

Adolf Galland called the report the "rantings of a worn-out defeatist", and gave Galland an "order", that no Allied fighters had crossed into Germany.

Adolf Galland explained that such a weapon could not be used effectively in an aircraft; the cannon would be prone to jamming and the aircraft would be too difficult to manoeuvre.

Adolf Galland asserted the use of inappropriate weaponry such as the Messerschmitt Me 410, a favourite of Hitler's, had caused heavy losses.

Adolf Galland stated that he could not agree to follow Goring's plans and requested to be dismissed from his post and sent back to his unit.

In November 1943 Adolf Galland issued a communique to the fighter forces, announcing the introduction of new weapons, such as heavily armed Fw 190s, to engage of destroy Allied bombers through the use of massed and formation-based attack tactics at close range.

Adolf Galland passed on Goring's dissatisfaction with wing and squadron commanders that did not press their attacks in this manner.

Adolf Galland found the appearance of American fighters at this range alarming.

German losses were so heavy that Adolf Galland held a special meeting with I Jagdkorps division commanders on 4 November 1943.

In mid-March 1944, shortages of skilled pilots caused Adolf Galland to send the following message asking for volunteers:.

Adolf Galland reported that Luftflotte Reich had lost 38 percent of its fighter pilots in April 1944, while Luftflotte 3 had lost 24 percent.

Altogether, the Germans had lost 489 pilots, Adolf Galland reported, while training centres had forwarded only 396 new pilots.

Adolf Galland urged all fighter pilots holding short staff positions be transferred immediately to operational units, that qualified night fighter pilots transfer to the day fighter force, that two fighter groups transfer from the eastern front as soon as possible, and that the ground attack command release all pilots with more than five aerial victories to the defence of the Reich.

Finally, Adolf Galland reported that flying schools had released 80-plus instructors.

Adolf Galland took this step even though he was critical of the high command for failing to produce a long-term plan for higher numbers of instructors in schools, particularly after production increased the number of aircraft available.

On 23 May 1943, Adolf Galland flew an early prototype of the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.

Adolf Galland's enthusiasm failed to appreciate the difficulties involved in transferring a design into production, especially under the circumstances.

Adolf Galland selected the highly decorated pilot Werner Thierfelder as its commander.

Adolf Galland persisted with the experiments and ordered operations to be continued.

Adolf Galland closely followed Kommando Nowotny, the experimental all-jet fighter unit.

Adolf Galland listened over the radio then watched as Nowotny's aircraft dived from out of the clouds and crashed into the ground; an apparent victim of American escorting fighters.

Adolf Galland was initially sceptical about the design concept in the Heinkel Adolf Galland 162.

Adolf Galland was concerned about dispersing production effort further but apparently changed his mind after viewing a mockup on 7 October 1944 and the seeing the prototype fly in December.

Adolf Galland demanded wooden mockups be made for ground instruction while three percent were to serve as trainers.

Adolf Galland said after the war, that had it not been for the Allied landing in Normandy which increased the need for lighter fighter variants, each Geschwader in the Luftwaffe would have contained a Gruppe of Sturmbock aircraft by September 1944.

Adolf Galland himself flew on unauthorised interception flights to experience the combat pressures of the pilots and witnessed USAAF bombers being escorted by large numbers of P-51 Mustangs.

Adolf Galland reported that the enemy outnumbered his fighters between 6:1 and 8:1 and the standard of Allied fighter pilot training was "astonishingly high".

Adolf Galland hoped to improve Germany's position by winning a decisive victory on the Western Front.

Admittedly Adolf Galland's efforts had built up a useful reserve, but Hitler was now to use it in support of a land offensive.

On 13 January 1945, Adolf Galland was finally relieved of his command.

Adolf Galland's high standing with his fighter pilot peers led to a group of the most decorated Luftwaffe combat leaders loyal to Adolf Galland confronting Goring with a list of demands for the survival of their service.

Adolf Galland was to keep the RLM informed of his whereabouts but was effectively under house arrest.

Hitler, who liked Adolf Galland, learned of the revolt and ordered that "all this nonsense" was to stop immediately.

Adolf Galland accepted on the understanding that Gollob had no jurisdiction over him or his unit.

Production and aircraft procurement were not his responsibility, but Adolf Galland identified four major mistakes by the OKL during the war, and accepted partial responsibility for the first three:.

Adolf Galland was initially assigned to command a Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54, at that time stranded behind Soviet lines in the Courland Pocket.

Adolf Galland never took up this command but was given the task of creating Jagdverband 44.

On 31 March 1945, Adolf Galland flew 12 operational jets to Munich to begin operations.

Adolf Galland enquired about the progress of his unit with outspoken civility.

Adolf Galland again made a mistake; he stopped to make sure his second victory was going to crash and he was hit by a USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt piloted by James Finnegan.

Adolf Galland landed under fire and abandoned his jet on the runway.

Adolf Galland found that James Finnegan, a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot of the 50th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, had made a "probable" claim on 26 April 1945, the day of Galland's last mission.

On 1 May 1945, Adolf Galland attempted to make contact with United States Army forces to negotiate the surrender of his unit.

Adolf Galland had harboured the belief that the Western Alliance would soon be at war with the Soviet Union, and he wanted to join American forces and to use his unit in the coming war to free Germany from Communist occupation.

Adolf Galland replied, making his whereabouts known to the Americans, and offering his surrender once they arrived at the Tegernsee hospital where he was being treated.

At the time of his surrender, Adolf Galland had filed claims for 104 Allied aircraft shot down.

On 14 May 1945, Adolf Galland was flown to England and interrogated by RAF personnel about the Luftwaffe, its organisation, his role in it, and technical questions.

Adolf Galland began to hunt for the family and traded at the local markets to supplement meagre meat rations.

Adolf Galland settled with Gisela in Ciudad Jardin Lomas del Palomar, Buenos Aires.

Adolf Galland found South America a world away from post-war shortages of Germany.

Adolf Galland continued training, lecturing and consulting for the FAA until 1955.

Adolf Galland returned to Germany and was approached by Amt Blank, a commissioner for Chancellor Konrad Adenauer for the purpose of joining the new Bundeswehr now that West Germany was to join NATO as a military power.

Adolf Galland worked hard but continued flying, taking part in national air shows.

In 1961, he joined the Gerling Group of Cologne who contracted Adolf Galland to help develop their aviation business.

Adolf Galland was upset about the director's decision not to use the real names.

Adolf Galland threatened to withdraw at a planned sequence involving him giving a Nazi salute to Goring.

Tuck wrote into the producers, urging them to reconsider; at one point Adolf Galland brought his lawyer to Pinewood Studios.

In 1973, Adolf Galland appeared in the British television documentary series The World at War, in episodes four and twelve, "Alone " and "Whirlwind: Bombing Germany ".

Adolf Galland took part in many engagements throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1980, Adolf Galland's eyesight became too poor for him to fly and he retired as a pilot.

Adolf Galland had located them before and had tried to buy them back, only to be turned down, as they would be worth more after his death.

Towards the end of the 1980s, Adolf Galland's health began to fail.

On 10 September 1963, Adolf Galland married his secretary, Hannelies Ladwein.

Adolf Galland remained friends with Tuck until the latter's death on 5 May 1987.

Adolf Galland had wanted to die at home and so was released from hospital and returned to his own house.