DO32P01 WWII ADOLF GALLAND

Adolf Galland was born on March 19, 1912 and died on February 9, 1996. He was a German WWII fighter ace with 104 confirmed killings. He was also one of the top Luftwaffe commanders during this armed conflict. He began his combat route in 1937, flying He-51 machines as part of the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Interestingly, during the September campaign in 1939, he did not fly in a fighter, but in an Hs-123 attack aircraft. It was not until the beginning of 1940 that he was transferred to the fighter aviation, where he served as a pilot until the end of 1941. During this period, he took part in the French campaign (1940), the Battle of Britain (1940) and in the air combat over the English Channel (1940-1941). At the end of 1941, in recognition of his combat achievements, he was appointed the General Inspector of Fighter Aviation, a function he held until January 1945. In the course of this service, he strove to rationalize and organize the German production of fighters and was a strong supporter of the introduction of the Me-262 jet machines into service. It can be added that in the last weeks of the war he returned to the role of a pilot flying the Me-262. He was awarded many times, including the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds. After the war, Adolf Galland made friends with former enemies, including RAF pilot Douglas Bader. After 1945, Adolf Galland participated in the development of Argentine military aviation, and he did not return to West Germany until 1957.