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Adolf GallandGerman fighter pilot
Date of Birth: 19.03.1912
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Adolf Galland
Adolf Galland was born in Germany in 1912. His father was a manager and treasurer in the county of Westerholt. Despite being expected to follow in his father's footsteps, Adolf developed a passion for aviation from a young age. After completing school, he enrolled in flight training courses, and his first flight took place in late 1928. Following this significant event, his father gave him a gift he could only dream of - a brand new glider.
Career in Aviation
In 1932, already an instructor pilot in gliding, Galland joined the aviation company Lufthansa. With Hitler's rise to power in 1933, the flight program in all flight schools was expanded, and Adolf acquired new skills - learning to fly in formation and mastering advanced aerobatics.
During the Spanish Civil War, Galland flew numerous combat missions as part of the Condor Legion. It was during this conflict that he truly established himself as a fighter pilot. He was later transferred to the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter wing.
World War II and Achievements
Galland began World War II as an instructor for a personal flight crew but later became a fighter pilot. On May 12, 1940, he scored his first enemy aircraft kill in Belgium, which marked the beginning of a long list of victories. By the end of the war, Galland had shot down 103 enemy planes and received numerous awards and honors.
In November 1941, he was appointed as the commander of the fighter aviation and held this position until January 1945. However, disagreements with Hermann Göring, particularly regarding the use of Me-262 aircraft, led to Galland's dismissal and a vote of no confidence from a group of Luftwaffe aces.
Despite these setbacks, Galland continued to fly as a squadron leader. On April 26, 1945, he was shot down by an American P-51 Mustang but survived. His last combat missions took place in the final weeks of the war. He was wounded, hospitalized, and eventually became a prisoner of war in an American camp.
Post-War Life
After his release from captivity in 1948, Galland served as an aviation consultant for the Argentine government. He later returned to Germany but declined to rejoin the Luftwaffe. Galland authored an autobiographical book titled "The First and the Last" (Die Ersten und die Letzten), which was translated into several languages.
In the late 1960s, Galland acted as a consultant in the war film "Battle of Britain" directed by Guy Hamilton. He was known for his love of cigars and was often seen smoking even in the cockpit of his fighter plane. After retiring, Galland engaged in business ventures and became the honorary president of the Association of German Fighter Pilots. He married twice, with his second marriage taking place at the age of 72.
Adolf Galland passed away in 1996, leaving behind a legacy as one of Germany's most decorated and accomplished fighter pilots.
