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:

"He who wants to protect everything, protects nothing," is one of the fundamental rules of defense.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Adolf Galland

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

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

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

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

Adolf Galland

They attracted Hurricanes and Spitfires as honey attracts flies.

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".

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

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

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

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

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

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

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