Adolf Galland quotes

Adolf Galland was a German Luftwaffe general and flying ace during World War II. Known for his exceptional piloting skills, he became one of the most famous fighter leaders of the conflict. He later played a significant role in the postwar aviation industry. Here are 22 of his quotes:

Superior technical achievements - used correctly both strategically and tactically - can beat any quantity numerically many times stronger yet technically inferior. (Adolf Galland)
"He who wants to protect everything, protects nothing," is one of the fundamental rules of defense. View quote
Adolf Galland
To use a fighter as a fighter-bomber when the strength of the fighter arm is inadequate to achieve air superiority is putting the cart before the horse. View quote
Adolf Galland
During the Battle of Britain the question "fighter or fighter-bomber?" had been decided once and for all: The fighter can only be used as a bomb carrier with lasting effect when sufficient air superiority has been won. View quote
Adolf Galland
The colossus of World War II seemed to be like a pyramid turned upside down, and for the moment the whole burden of the war rested on the few hundred German fighter pilots on the Channel coast. View quote
Adolf Galland
Never abandon the possibility of attack. Attack even from a position of inferiority, to disrupt the enemy's plans. This often results in improving one's own position. View quote
Adolf Galland
It's unbelievable what one squadron of twelve aircraft did to tip the balance. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
Adolf Galland
According to Goering and the Luftwaffe High Command, they were supposed to be the fighter elite. View quote
Adolf Galland
The fighter must seek battle in the air. (Adolf Galland)
They attracted Hurricanes and Spitfires as honey attracts flies. View quote
Adolf Galland
The wave of terror radiated from the suffering city and spread throughout Germany. Appalling details of the great fire were recounted. The glow of the fires could be seen for one hundred twenty miles. A stream of haggard, terrified refugees flowed into the neighbouring provinces. In every large town people said, 'what happened in Hamburg yesterday can happen to us tomorrow.' Berlin was evacuated amid signs of panic. In spite of strict reticence in official communiques, the terror of Hamburg spread rapidly to the remotest villages of the Reich. After Hamburg in the wide circle of the political and the military command could be heard the words: "The war is lost". View quote
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. View quote
Adolf Galland
And most of these pilots were lost during the first five flights. View quote
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. View quote
Adolf Galland
I had to inspect all fighter units in Russia, Africa, Sicily, France, and Norway. I had to be everywhere. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
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. View quote
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)
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. View quote
Adolf Galland

Adolf Galland

Adolf Galland - Image
Photo: Wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Occupation: German General
Born: March 19, 1912
Died: February 9, 1996
Quotes count: 22
Wikipedia: Adolf Galland

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