KITS 09/2020

Bf 109E-3, Maj. Adolf Galland, CO of III./JG 26, Caffiers, France, August 1940

DER ADLERTAG

Major Adolf Galland was highest scoring Luftwaffe fighter pilot in Battle of Britain. In period between August 8th and October 31st, 1940

he scored 32 victories including 15 Spitfires. After service in Legion Condor, 4.(S)/LG 2 and JG 27 he became commander of III./JG 26 on

June 11th, 1940. This unit was second ranking Jagdgruppe in Battle of Britain with 105 victories. His last victories (19. - 22.) with III./JG 26

were scored on August 15th. He claimed Spitfire possibly flown by RAF ace F/Lt A.C. Deere of No. 54 Sq. and later on added two Spitfires

of No. 64 Sq. Galland´s Messerschmitt is painted with RLM 02 with RLM 71 mottling on upper surfaces and RLM 65 undersides. On August

22nd Galland became Kommodore of JG 26 „Schlageter“. Later in the war he took position of General der Jagdflieger and became youngest

Luftwaffe General. He did not get along with Göring very well and lost his position in 1944. In last months of war he was allowed to organize

elite Jagdverband 44 equipped with Me 262 jet fighters. Adolf Galland achieved 104 aerial victories in 705 missions, all on the Western front.

Included in his score are at least seven victories flying the Me 262 and four four-engined bombers. He was himself shot down four times.

After the war he took part in modernization of Argentine Air Force and was active in German fighter pilot association. He also became one

of advisers during shooting of Battle of Britain movie. His fellow adviser RAF ace Robert S. Tuck became his very close friend and godfather

of his son.

Bf 109E-3, Maj. Adolf Galland, CO of III./JG 26, Caffiers, France, late August 1940

DER ADLERTAG

A later marking version of Galland´s machine with yellow identification markings introduced by Luftwaffe command at the beginning of

August 1940. Some authors believe that this is machine WNr. 4820 flown by Galland in August 1940 as a last personal mount during his command of III./JG 26. The 4820 was manufactured by Arado in July 1940 as E-1/B. Galland´s logbook states E-1 version, but photographs show

is equipped with cannons in the wing. There is another machine of Galland from this period also attributed to WNr. 4820. But also

in this case, his „Emil“ is equipped with cannons in the wings and earlier canopy.

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INFO Eduard - September 2020