Adolf Galland
Adolf Galland
Adolf "Dolfo" Joseph Ferdinand Galland was a German Luftwaffe general and flying ace who served throughout the Second World War in Europe. He flew 705 combat missions, and fought on the Western and the Defence of the Reich fronts. On four occasions, he survived being shot down, and he was credited with 104 aerial victories, all of them against the Western Allies...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionSoldier
Date of Birth19 March 1912
CountryGermany
air battle bombers
During the Battle of Britain the question "fighter or fighter-bomber?" had been decided once and for all: The fighter can only be used as a bomb carrier with lasting effect when sufficient air superiority has been won.
pilots firsts flight
And most of these pilots were lost during the first five flights.
frustration careers long
It is true to say that the first kill can influence the whole future career of a fighter pilot. Many to whom the first victory over the opponent has been long denied either by unfortunate circumstances or by bad luck can suffer from frustration or develop complexes they may never rid themselves of again.
fifty fighter used
We have built a total of about 1250 of this aircraft, but only fifty were allowed to be used as fighters - as interceptors. And out of this fifty, there were never more than 25 operational. So we had only a very, very few.
war airplane world
Nine g's is good, if the pilot can stand it. We couldn't stand it. Not in the airplanes of World War II.
russia france norway
I had to inspect all fighter units in Russia, Africa, Sicily, France, and Norway. I had to be everywhere.
enemy air-power inferiority
Never abandon the possibility of attack. Attack even from a position of inferiority, to disrupt the enemy's plans. This often results in improving one's own position.
angel air flying
For the first time I was flying by jet propulsion. No engine vibrations. No torque and no lashing sound of the propeller. Accompanied by a whistling sound, my jet shot through the air. Later when asked what it felt like, I said, "It felt as though angels were pushing".
thinking giving arms
When I was fired from my post as General of the Fighter Arm, I was to give proof that this jet was a superior fighter. And that's when we did it. I think we did it.
successful luck pilots
An excellent weapon and luck had been on my side. To be successful, the best fighter pilot needs both.
battle want tough
The battle is tough but if you reach where you want to go, then at least in some sense it is worth it.
three today driven
I made a written report which is still today in existence. I have a photocopy of it, and I am saying that in production this aircraft could perhaps substitute for three propeller- driven aircraft of the best existing type. This was my impression.
balance twelve unbelievable
It's unbelievable what one squadron of twelve aircraft did to tip the balance.
running thinking long
As a fighter pilot I know from my own experiences how decisive surprise and luck can be for success, which in the long run comes only to the one who combines daring with cool thinking.