Adolf Galland (Galland)

Galland, Adolf (Galland), a German fighter pilot, one of the organizers of the Luftwaffe. Born in 1911 in Westerholt, District Recklinghausen. He studied at the Hindenburg (now Zabrze, Poland). In 1932, as a gliding instructor pilot, entered the commercial airline Lufthansa. In 1935, seriously injured in the crash, but soon returned to flight operations, already in the Luftwaffe. He flew about 300 sorties in the Legion Condor "during the Spanish Civil War. In the first months of 2-nd World War, was preparing crews and later was a pilot 26-th fighter air group. He took part in air battles on almost all fronts, including the British Isles, during the Battle of Britain. Shot down 103 enemy aircraft, was awarded many orders. Galland was second among the pilots of the Luftwaffe, who received the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. In November 1941, replaced by Werner MцІlders as commander of the fighter aircraft. Remain in office until January 1945 when Goering actually removed him from office, suddenly go on holiday and not appointing him successor.

April 26, 1945 Galland was shot down in combat American "Mustang" P-51, but still alive. After the war, he explained the failure of the Luftwaffe operations in the British Isles because it was used to solve strategic tasks instead of tactical. In addition, he said, the commanders of squadrons and air group, the preparation of which take years, all were killed in aerial combat over the islands.