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Adolf Galland - Pilot Profile - Adolf Galland

Adolf Galland

Victories : 104
-----------------------------
Country : Germany
Fought in : WW2
Fought for : Axis
Died : 9th February 1996

This pilot scored 5 or more victories during the Battle of Britain, 10th July - 31st October 1940.

Awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron CrossAwarded Oak Leaves to the Knights CrossAwarded Swords to the Knights CrossAwarded Diamonds to the Knights Cross
Knights
Cross
Oak LeavesSwordsDiamonds

Adolf Galland fought in the great Battles of Poland, France and Britain, leading the famous JG26 'Abbeville Boys'. He flew in combat against the RAF's best including Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford Tuck and Johnnie Johnson. In 1941, at the age of 29, he was promoted to 'Inspector of the Fighter Arm'. In 1942 Hitler personally selected Galland to organise the fighter escort for the 'Channel Dash'. He became the youngest General in the German High Command but open disagreements with Goering led to his dismissal at the end of 1944. He reverted to combat flying, forming the famous JV44 wing flying the Me262 jet fighter, and was the only General in history to lead a squadron into battle. With 104 victories, all in the West, Adolf Galland received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Born 19th March 1912, died 9th February 1996. Born in 1911, Adolf Galland learned to fly at a state-sponsored flying club in the early 1930's. In 1933 he was selected to go to Italy for secret pilot training. Galland flew for a brief time as a commercial airline pilot prior to joining the clandestine Luftwaffe as a Second Lieutenant. In April of 1935 he was assigned to JG-2, the Richtofen Fighter Wing, and in 1937 he joined the ranks of the Condor Legion flying the He-51 biplane fighter in support of General Franco during the Spanish Civil War. Despite flying 280 missions, Galland attained no aerial victories, a rather inauspicious start for a pilot would go on to attain more than 100 aerial victories - the highest for any pilot who flew on the Western Front. During Germany's invasion of Poland, Galland was assigned to an attack squadron and he flew over fifty ground sorties. He was promoted to Captain for his efforts, but Galland was anxious to return to a fighter squadron, and he got his wish in October of 1939 when he was transferred to JG-27. It was with JG-27 that Galland first learned to fly the Bf-109. In May of 1940 JG-27 flew in support of the invasion of Belgium, and Galland achieved his first combat victory on May 12. Two months later his score had risen to more than a dozen, and at this time he was once again transferred to JG-26 situated on the Channel Coast. Engaging the RAF on a daily basis during the Battle of Britain, Galland's score rose steadily until it exceeded 40 victories by September. After a short leave Galland rejoined JG-26 in Brittany, where the squadron played a defensive role. Following Germany's invasion of Russia in June of 1941, JG-26 became one of only two German fighter squadrons left on the Channel Coast. This resulted in plenty of flying, and by late in 1941 Galland's victory totals had reached 70. Following a near brush with death when the fuel tank of his 109 exploded, Galland was grounded for a time, and sent to Berlin where he was made the General of the Fighter Arm, reporting directly to Goring and Hitler. Galland spent most of the next few years carrying out inspection tours, and was at odds with his superiors about the need for an adequate fighter defense to negate ever-increasing Allied bombing of Germany's cities. He continued to fly combat missions when the opportunity presented itself, despite Goring's orders to the contrary. In January of 1945 almost 300 fighters were lost in an all-out attack on Allied airfields in France, a mission Galland did not support. He was dismissed as General of the Fighter Arm for his insubordination, but reflecting his flying abilities Hitler ordered Galland to organize JV-44, Germany's first jet-equipped fighter squadron. By March of 1945 Galland had recruited 45 of Germany's best surviving fighter pilots, and this new squadron was given the difficult task of trying to counter the daily onslaught of 15th Air Force bombers coming at Germany from the South. Galland's final mission of the War occurred on April 26 when he attained his 102nd and 103rd confirmed aerial victories prior to crash landing his damaged Me262. Several days later the War was over for both Galland and Germany. General Galland died in 1996.

Adolf Galland signing the print - Eagles Over the Steppes - by Graeme Lothian.

Click here for artwork signed by this Ace!

Artwork featuring this Ace : Prints and Paintings Available to Purchase!

 No one knows for certain whether the two great fighter aces Douglas Bader and Adolf Galland actually fought each other in a one-on-one combat, but it is thought highly likely that they did as the famous Tangmere Wing led by Bader regularly found itself dueling with the Bf.109s of JG.26 led by Galland.  Their great rivalry came to an end in August 1941 when Bader was shot down over St Omer, but these two heroes were to become close friends after the war, each having the utmost respect for the other. Adversaries by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1862
 Adolf Galland claimed his 16th victory on the afternoon of 25th July 1940 when Spitfires of 54 Sqn were bounced by Messerschmitt Bf.109s of Gallands III/JG26.  A fierce battle ensued off Dover during which F/Lt Basil <i>Wonky</i> Way, flying R6707, found himself the subject of the great German aces attention, his stricken aircraft being observed to plunge into the sea after receiving numerous hits from the Bf.109s guns. F/Lt Way lost his life in the crash, presumed drowned. Victory Above Dover by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1866
 Adolf Galland and his wingman Bruno Hegenauer break through the fighter escort of No. 303 Squadrons Spitfires to attack Blenheim bombers of No. 21 Squadron over northern France, 21 June 1941. In two missions that day Galland claimed two Blenheims and one Spitfire, survived a forced crash-landing, and later a parachute escape from his blazing Me109. That evening he learned he was to become the first recipient of the Knights Cross with oak leaves and swords - Germanys highest award for heroism.Most Memorable Day by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsDHM2051
<br><br><b>Published 1991.<br><br>This is a great value item for the collector of great signatures.</b>Fighter Legend - Adolf Galland by Nicolas Trudgian.Click For DetailsDHM2113

Adolf Galland



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Known Victory Claims - Adolf Galland

DATE

PILOT

UNIT

JG

CLAIMED

LOCATION

TIME

FRONT

12/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Hurricane10km W. Lüttich10.1Western Front
12/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Hurricane18km S. Lüttich10.2Western Front
12/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Hurricane7km ENE Tirlemont15.5Western Front
16/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Spitfire ISeclin [5km S. Lille]19.3Western Front
19/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Potez 63N. Albert-Méautle20.5Western Front
19/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Potez 63SW Hirson21.45Western Front
20/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Potez 63S. Amiens20.5Western Front
29/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Blenheim15km N. Gravelines12.59Western Front
29/05/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Blenheim30km NW Gravelines13.04Western Front
02/06/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27SpitfireW. Dünkirchen9.28Western Front
09/06/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Hawk-75AE. Rotoy15.55Western Front
09/06/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStabJG 27Morane 40613km NW Meaux16.1Western Front
14/06/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26Blenheim22km SE Vernon17.15Western Front
14/06/1940Hptm. Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26Defiant10km S. Evreux17.28Western Front
24/07/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26Spitfire30km NE Margate: 3000-2200m13.35Western Front
25/07/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26SpitfireDover Hafen16.17Western Front
28/07/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26Spitfire10km NNE Dover: 6000m15.14Western Front
12/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26HurricaneNNW Margate12.41Western Front
14/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26HurricaneSW Dover13.3Western Front
15/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26Spitfire10km E. Dover12.55Western Front
15/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26Spitfire15km SE Folkestone16.01Western Front
15/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStab III.JG 26Spitfire20km SE Dover16.07Western Front
25/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireDungeness-Folkestone: 3000m19.5Western Front
28/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26DefiantFaversham: 2000m [E. Canterbury]10.08Western Front
31/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26Curtiss20km SE Cambridge9.42Western Front
31/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireGravesend18.5Western Front
31/08/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneMaidstone19.03Western Front
01/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneSE London14.55Western Front
03/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneChelmsford11.32Western Front
06/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneTonbridge10.2Western Front
11/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneNW Dungeness16.2Western Front
14/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneSüdostrands London17.03Western Front
15/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneThemesmündung15.3Western Front
18/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26Hurricane-13.35Western Front
18/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneW. Rochester13.52Western Front
18/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneW. Rochester13.55Western Front
20/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireS. Hornchurch12.05Western Front
21/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireW. Ashford-Canterbury19.25Western Front
23/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneN. Rochester10.45Western Front
23/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneN. Rochester10.45Western Front
24/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneRochester10Western Front
30/09/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneS. Guildford18.05Western Front
10/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireS. Eastchurch10.2Western Front
11/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireSE Chatham17.05Western Front
11/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneDartford-Rochester: 2500m17.12Western Front
15/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireS. Rochester13.5Western Front
26/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneMaidstone-/S. London17.3Western Front
30/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireE. London12.55Western Front
30/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireS. Eastchurch-Maidstone17.3Western Front
30/10/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireCanterbury-Maidstone17.4Western Front
01/11/1940Major Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireW. Ashford12.5Western Front
14/11/1940Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire10km S. Dover15.28Western Front
15/11/1940Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Hurricanebei Dover10.28Western Front
17/11/1940Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneW. Harwich10.2Western Front
17/11/1940Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Hurricane20km E. versengt Leucht: 1000-1500m [Themesmündung]10.27Western Front
27/11/1940Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire5km E. Detling: 8000m17Western Front
28/11/1940Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneDartford: 6500m15.4Western Front
05/12/1940Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireDover-Dungeness: 2000m12.3Western Front
04/04/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfirezw. Dover/Canterbury: 1200m17.5Western Front
15/04/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireWittering 30km vor Dover: 3800m17.5Western Front
15/04/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireDover18Western Front
15/04/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfirezw. Dover u. Margate: 4500m18Western Front
13/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Hurricane5km W. Dover: 3500m13.15Western Front
13/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Hurricane10km NE Ashford: 2000m13.18Western Front
16/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneW. Boulogne: 3000m16.35Western Front
17/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Hurricane15km W. St. Omer: 3500m19.38Western Front
17/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Hurricane5km SE Boulogne: 3500m19.4Western Front
18/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire1½km E. Ardres: 6500m18.18Western Front
21/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26BlenheimS. St. Omer: 3500m12.32Western Front
21/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26BlenheimMerville/NW St. Omer: 3500m12.36Western Front
21/06/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireN. Etaples: 5000m16.37Western Front
02/07/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Blenheimbei Merville: 4000m12.3Western Front
23/07/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire40km NW Gravelines: 10m13.35Western Front
23/07/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfirebei Fruges: 7000m20.1Western Front
23/07/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfirebei Fruges: 6500m20.15Western Front
07/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireLumbres, SW St. Omer11.23Western Front
07/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire10km NW St. Omer17.4Western Front
07/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireN. Ardres17.44Western Front
09/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireNW St. Pol11.32Western Front
09/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireN. Ardres: 5000m17.44Western Front
12/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire20-25km W. Vlissinghen: 200m13.12Western Front
12/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26BlenheimScheldemündung W. Haamstede13.18Western Front
19/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireNW St. Omer19.32Western Front
19/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26HurricaneSE Gravelines19.45Western Front
19/08/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireBergues11.55Western Front
04/09/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26BlenheimN. St. Omer: 3000m17.3Western Front
07/09/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire20km W. Boulogne17.19Western Front
20/09/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireBergues-Bourbourg16.45Western Front
20/09/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire6km NW Bray-Dunes16.55Western Front
21/09/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireSE Etaples/Montreuil16.23Western Front
21/09/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireS. Dünkirchen17.35Western Front
13/10/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireSt. Omer14.17Western Front
13/10/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26BlenheimSamer14.27Western Front
21/10/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire15km W. Boulogne18.16Western Front
21/10/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire6km W. Hardelot12.58Western Front
21/10/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireW. Samer12.54Western Front
27/10/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireS. Dünkirchen13.25Western Front
08/11/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26SpitfireMontreuil12.58Western Front
08/11/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire10km S. Hazebrouck13Western Front
18/11/1941Obstlt. Adolf GallandStabJG 26Spitfire20km W. Boulogne12.32Western Front
16/04/1945Genltn. Adolf GallandJV 44B-26Raum Lanberg-Western Front
16/04/1945Genltn. Adolf GallandJV 44B-26Raum Lanberg-Western Front
21/04/1945Genltn. Adolf GallandJV 44B-17--Western Front
26/04/1945Genltn. Adolf GallandJV 44B-26Raum Neuburg-Western Front
26/04/1945Genltn. Adolf GallandJV 44B-26Raum Neuburg-Western Front

Known Claims : 105

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