Adolf Galland

Generalleutnant ADOLF ‘DOLFO’ GALLAND Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds

Having led JG-88 in the Spanish campaign, Galland was already an inspirational leader and experienced Ace by the time WWII commenced and he fought in the formidable battles of Poland and France. During the height of the Battle of Britain he became Kommodore of JG-26, shaping them into an elite unit and leading the ‘Abbeville Boys’ in combat against the very best of the RAF including Douglas Bader and Sailor Malan.

In 1941, at the age of just 29, he was promoted to Inspector General of the Fighter Arm, a position he held until the end of 1944, and in 1943 became the youngest General in the German High Command taking responsibility for Fighter Operations in Sicily and eventually the Night Fighter Arm as well.

As the Luftwaffe were gradually being overwhelmed later in the war, his open disagreements with Goering led to his dismissal in 1945, and he reverted to combat flying. Persuading many of the Luftwaffe’s greatest Aces to join him he formed the famous Me 262 Jet fighter unit, JV-44 ‘the Squadron of Experts’.

Finishing the war having scored 104 victories (all in the West) and one of the most famous pilots of WWII, his commitment and loyalty to his men made him one of the most outstanding and inspirational leaders in the history of aerial warfare