Personality Life and Family
Adolf Galland was the second child among 4 siblings namely Fritz (his older brother), Wilhelm-Ferdinand and Paul. His father loves to give each one of them pet names including their mother Anna. His father would call Fritz, Toby, Adolf�s pet name was Keffer, Wilhelm-Ferdinand was called Wutz, Paul was called Paulinchen or sometimes Paula as they were expecting to have a girl and of course Anna was called Anita.
He was smitten to Baroness Gisela von Donner but she refused to marry him because she would be deprived of her former husband�s wealth and her freedom. On February 1954, the same year that Donner left, he married Sylvinia von D�nhoff. The marriage didn�t last long because she was unable to bear any children. They were divorced on September 10, 1963. That same day, he married his secretary, Hannelies Ladwein. They had 2 children namely Andreas Hubertus who was born on November 7, 1966 and Alexandra Isabelle who was born on July 29, 1969. The marriage didn�t go well so on February 10, 1984, he married Heidi Horn. She was his last wife and took care of him until his death. Work and Career Adolf Galland flew a total of 705 combat missions. During these combat missions, he was shot four times but was fortunate enough to survive relatively unscathed. He won 104 aerial battles against the Western Allies. He started as a glider pilot in his early years and later joined the Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic later in 1932. 5 years later, he volunteered for the Condor Legion and was assigned for ground attack missions for the Nationalists under the leadership of Francisco Franco. During World War II, he convinced his superiors to allow him to be a fighter pilot although he was older than the normal age for fighter pilots.
In the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, he had a total of 96 aerial victories which earned him the Knight�s Cross of the iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. In 1945 he was given the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds for commanding the Jagdgeschwader 26. He continued to fly on numerous missions until the end of WW2 in May 1945. Death Early February 1996, Galland was taken seriously ill. He wanted to die in his own home so he was sent home with the approval of the hospital. He died 1:05 AM on February 9, 1996. He was buried 9 days after his death at St Laurentius Church, Remagen-Oberwinter. A memorial service honouring his service was held on March 31, 1996. Influence & Legacy Adolf Galland�s leadership and bravery had greatly influenced the fighter pilots to do their best in any assignments they are assigned. They have to remain focus and keep the interest going so they would achieve and succeed on any tasks they would do. Quotes �Only in the spirit of attack, born in a brave heart, will bring success to any fighter aircraft, no matter how highly developed it may be.� �Their element is to attack, to track, to hunt, and to destroy the enemy. Only in this way can the eager and skilful fighter pilot display his ability. Tie him to a narrow and confined task, rob him of his initiative, and you take away from him the best and most valuable qualities he posses: aggressive spirit, joy of action, and the passion of the hunter.� |
