Adolf Galland is rightfully considered one of the best pilots of the Second World War. The German ace rose to the rank of Lieutenant General of the Luftwaffe and also served as the President of the Fighter Pilots Association. What was his luck, and what he had to face on his life path in order to reach heights in his military career, you will learn from this article.
The boy dreaming of the sky
The famous German pilot was born in Germany in 1912. The boy's parents were German Adolf Felix Galland and Frenchwoman Anna Schipper. The head of the Galland family, continuing the family tradition, held two honorary positions in the county of Westerholt - treasurer and manager, so the boy's future fate was most likely predetermined.
However, little Adolf dreamed of aviation from an early age. When the boy saw the glider soaring in the sky, he lost his composure. Adolf Galland saw himself only as a pilot, he literally raved about the sky.
The upbringing in the family was very strict. Adolf was the second of four children, and the father gave each of the children a specific nickname to which he had to respond. The hero of our story was called Keffer. Adolf's two brothers will also later become pilots.
Since Germany had a ban on its own air force, many who wanted to learn to fly began with the development of gliders, which were allowed. Immediately after graduation, the young pilot entered flight courses, after which he made his first flight. Such a significant event occurred in 1928. The father supported his son's hobby, and after his first flight, he gave him a new glider.
So Adolf Galland (see photo in the article) became a pilot-instructor in gliding. In 1932, a new round in his career took place - he began working for the commercial airline Lufthansa.
Threat to a successful career
January 1934 was marked by the fact that Adolf Galland got into the Luftwaffe, where after 9 months he received the rank of lieutenant. Having agreed to serve there, the young pilot signed an agreement to participate in a secret military program.
It was at this time that Adolf met Hermann Goering, the commander of the German Air Force.
The young pilot liked to take risks, and often practiced aerobatics during flights. In October 1934, a misfortune happened to him - during one of the flights, while performing a complex figure, he lost control, and his biplane at speedhit the ground.
The pilot suffered such serious injuries that the doctors pronounced a verdict on the end of his career. Adolf had a very badly damaged left eye, a broken nose and skull, and these injuries were incompatible with his profession.
Adolf Galland's desire to fly turned out to be so great that, despite the disappointing forecasts of doctors, he was able to recover and return to his beloved work.
First plane shot down
In 1937, Adolf Galland voluntarily joined the Condor Legion, which was involved in the Spanish Civil War. As part of this legion, he made many sorties.
It was at this time that the "visiting card" of the pilot appeared. On all his planes, he painted Mickey Mouse with a cigar in his mouth. Adolf has repeatedly admitted that he really likes this cartoon character, and he is also a passionate admirer of cigars.
The pilot was quite imposing. Black sunglasses, a tattered helmet, a constant cigar in his mouth - this was the German aviation ace Adolf Galland. The pilot's height and weight also suited this profession in all respects.
In May 1940, his military victories began. While on a mission in Belgium, he shot down his first enemy aircraft.
Aerial victories
Galland was a pilot instructor at the start of World War II. Later retrained as a fighter.
During the years of the war, pilot Adolf Galland was in battle on almost all fronts. He shot downmore than 103 enemy aircraft, for which he was repeatedly awarded high awards.
In December 1942, he was awarded the rank of major general, and Adolf became the youngest military man who had such a high rank. After receiving a promotion, Galland was suspended from participation in battles, but, despite the ban, he sometimes allowed himself sorties.
After 2 years, the pilot was expected to receive another promotion, on December 1, 1944 he was awarded the rank of lieutenant general.
Battle awards
The first award the pilot was awarded was the Iron Cross II class. Continuing to fight and shoot down enemy aircraft, he receives the same award, but already І class.
When the battle for England began, Galland was awarded the Knight's Cross. Over time, the pilot was awarded Knight's Crosses with oak leaves, swords and diamonds for victories.
Having reached 56 victories, he was considered the best pilot in the Luftwaffe.
Galland and Goering
The first meeting of these two military men was friendly, Adolf really liked Goering. However, increasingly, their views on the use of aviation during combat operations differed.
The situation escalated markedly when the allied air raids began on Germany. After the destruction of the country's cities in 1945, Goering placed all responsibility on Galland, and soon removed him from his post and arrested him.
Only Hitler's intercession helped the pilot avoid the danger hanging over him.
Life after the war
Until April 28, 1947, Galland was a prisoner of the Allies. Having freed himself, the pilot chose Argentina for his place of residence. Here he lived until 1955, successfully fulfilling the duties of an adviser to the commander of the Argentine Air Force.
Adolf Galland, whose personal life has always been stormy, married three times. The first time, while still living in Argentina, he married the Countess von Donhoff. This significant event took place in 1954.
Returning to Germany in 1955, the pilot became the owner of his own company. And in 1963 he married a second time. His wife, Hannelise, gave him two children - a boy (b. 1966) and a girl (b. 1969).
Ace got married for the third time, being at a respectable age. When he was 72, he married Heidi Horn in 1984.
Galland ran a successful business of his own and was also president of the German Fighter Pilots Association.
Adolf died in 1996 in Oberwinter in his own house.
Memoirs
In addition to his victories, the pilot left memoirs in memory of himself. By examining the materials written by Galland, one can recreate a complete picture of all the hostilities that took place on the Western Front during World War II. The author made a complete analysis of the state of aviation of all the warring parties, and also assessed the strategic mistakes during the military campaign.
Adolf Galland, “First and last. German fighters on the western front. 1941-1945 - this book was first published in Russia in 2004year.
