Adolf Galland Quotes

• According to Goering and the Luftwaffe High Command, they were supposed to be the fighter elite.

  Adolf Galland

• 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.

  Adolf Galland

• 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.

  Adolf Galland

• We had at our disposal the first operational jet, which superseded by at least 150 knots the fastest American and English fighters. This was a unique situation.

  Adolf Galland

• This would only come if you have a revolutionary change in technology like the jet brought about.

  Adolf Galland

• The throttles could only move very, very slowly, always watching the temperature, always watching. And even in throttling back, you could bust it, even being very careful.

  Adolf Galland

• Of course, the outcome of the war would not have been changed. The war was lost perhaps, when it was started. At least it was lost in the winter of ’42, in Russia.

  Adolf Galland

• Nine g’s is good, if the pilot can stand it. We couldn’t stand it. Not in the airplanes of World War II.

  Adolf Galland

• Many pilots of the time were the opinion that a fighter pilot in a closed cockpit was an impossible thing, because you should smell the enemy. You could smell them because of the oil they were burning.

  Adolf Galland

• It’s unbelievable what one squadron of twelve aircraft did to tip the balance.

  Adolf Galland

• If we would have had the 262 at our disposal – even with all the delays – if we could have had in ’44, ah, let’s say three hundred operational, that day we could have stopped the American daytime bombing offensive, that’s for sure.

  Adolf Galland

• I would like to mention that I have flown the 262 first in May ’43. At this time, the aircraft was completely secret. I first knew of the existence of this aircraft only early in ’42 – even in my position. This aircraft didn’t have any priority in design or production.

  Adolf Galland

• 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.

  Adolf Galland

• I had to inspect all fighter units in Russia, Africa, Sicily, France, and Norway. I had to be everywhere.

  Adolf Galland

• I could not claim them because I was not supposed to be flying in combat.

  Adolf Galland

• And most of these pilots were lost during the first five flights.

  Adolf Galland

• According to Goering and the Luftwaffe High Command, they were supposed to be the fighter elite.

  Adolf Galland

Adolf Galland (17)

Birth:	19th March, 1912
Death:	9th February, 1996
Nationality:	German
Profession:	Pilot, Soldier

About

Adolf Dolfo Joseph Ferdinand Galland was a German Luftwaffe General and flying ace who served throughout World War II in Europe. As a young man he learnt to fly gliders and as soon as he was old enough he joined the Luftwaffe. In October 1934, he was commissioned as a lieutenant and led a squadron during the Spanish Civil War. In the Asturias campaign in September 1937, he experimented with new bombing tactics. This became known as carpet bombing. He also took part in the bombing of Guernica on April 26, 1937. Between May 1937 and July 1938 he carried out 280 combat missions in Spain. On the outbreak of the Second World War he was placed in charge of a ground support unit and during the blitzkrieg in Poland he won the Iron Cross and was promoted to captain. Galland returned to front-line duty and now flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 shot down two more Allied aircraft on April 26, 1945 bringing his score to 103. Galland returned to Germany in 1955 and was employed as a aerospace consultant, airline president and business executive. Adolf Galland died on March 9, 1996.

Related Authors

• Betty Greene
• Jerry Doyle
• Alan Shepard
• James Stewart
• Anne Morrow Lindbergh
• Michael P. Anderson
• Eugene Andrew Cernan
• Beryl Markham
• Donald Williams
• Chesley Sullenberger

Advertisement

Today's Anniversary - 22nd December

Births

• 1948 - Steve Garvey
• 1960 - Luther Campbell
• 1908 - Max Bill
• 1962 - Mark Ruffalo
• 1948 - Martin Yan

Deaths

• 1943 - Beatrix Potter
• 1940 - Nathanael West
• 1987 - Sir Henry Thomas Cotton
• 1906 - Robert Rainy
• 2001 - Lance Loud