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General Adolf Galland
March 19, 1912 - February 16, 1995
March 19, 1912 - February 16, 1995
Adolf Galland was born on March 19, 1912 in Westerholt, Westphalia to a family of estate bailiffs. His father, bailiff for Count Von Westerholt's castle, supervised and administered the work of agriculture, mechanical, domestic, and maintenance personnel.
Galland was a veteran of the Condor Legion in Spain of 1935, and the Battle of Britain in 1940. He distinguished himself as a brilliant pilot, exceptional marksman, and a shrew tactician. Promoted to Major General at the age of 29, Adolf was Germany's youngest general, and was put in charge of all Luftwaffe fighter forces. Galland would receive Germany's highest award, the Knights Cross with oak leaves, cross swords, and diamonds.
A strong proponent of the ME-262 twin jet fighter, Galland clashed with Hitler, who insisted on using the plane as a bomber instead of a fighter. As punishment, Galland was promoted in rank but demoted to the level of squadron leader.
Maj. Gen. Galland scored 104 confirmed victories over American and British aircraft on the Western Front during World War II. He finished the war leading an elite squadron of ME-262 pilots.
Galland was known as "the fighter pilot's general" because even as a general, he flew combat sorties until the end of the war. He was as respected by his allied opponents as he was by his own men.
Maj. Gen. Galland's trademark was an ever-present cigar, which he smoked even while flying.
Galland was a veteran of the Condor Legion in Spain of 1935, and the Battle of Britain in 1940. He distinguished himself as a brilliant pilot, exceptional marksman, and a shrew tactician. Promoted to Major General at the age of 29, Adolf was Germany's youngest general, and was put in charge of all Luftwaffe fighter forces. Galland would receive Germany's highest award, the Knights Cross with oak leaves, cross swords, and diamonds.
A strong proponent of the ME-262 twin jet fighter, Galland clashed with Hitler, who insisted on using the plane as a bomber instead of a fighter. As punishment, Galland was promoted in rank but demoted to the level of squadron leader.
Maj. Gen. Galland scored 104 confirmed victories over American and British aircraft on the Western Front during World War II. He finished the war leading an elite squadron of ME-262 pilots.
Galland was known as "the fighter pilot's general" because even as a general, he flew combat sorties until the end of the war. He was as respected by his allied opponents as he was by his own men.
Maj. Gen. Galland's trademark was an ever-present cigar, which he smoked even while flying.