The First and the Last

General Adolf Galland (1912-1996), one of Germany's leading fighter pilots of WWII, served as General der Jagdflieger (overall commander of the national fighter force) from 1941 to 1945. His combat career began in the Spanish Civil War during which he completed over 300 missions with Condor Legion. Throughout the Battle of Britain he served with III/JG26 against England and Northern France, and in 1942 devised the successul air protection of Operation CERBERUS, the famous 'Channel Dash' of the SCHARNHORST, GNEISENAU AND PRINZ EUGEN. Later in the same year he tested an early prototype of the Me262, the world's first operational jet fighter, before leaving combat to concentrate on the air defence of Germany against the RAF and USAAF bombing offensive. Increasingly critical of higher Nazi authority, he was relieved of his command following the 'Fighter Revolt' and returned to front-line duty with the elite Jagdverband in the Spring of 1945. He finished the war with 103 victories on over 700 missions and was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds, one of Germany's highest decorations. Galland's autobiography was first published as 'Die Ersten und die Letzen' in 1953 and is widely regarded as the most insightful and far-reaching account of WWII Axis air combat and one of the finest overall aviation memoirs of all time. VERY SCARCE. Enser, p.183.