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Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland

Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland (23 October 1914 – 17 August 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with 55 aerial victories achieved in 186 combat missions. All his victories were claimed over the Western Front and in Defense of the Reich. This figure included seven four-engine bombers and 37 Supermarine Spitfire fighters.

Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland
Nickname(s)Wutz
Born(1914-10-23)23 October 1914
Bochum, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Died17 August 1943(1943-08-17) (aged 28)
near Maastricht, German-occupied Netherlands
Buried
Lommel, Belgium
(Block 21-grave 290)
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service/branch Luftwaffe
Years of service1935–43
RankMajor (major)
UnitFlak-Lehr-Regiment
JG 26
Commands heldII./JG 26
Battles/wars
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross
RelationsAdolf Galland
Paul Galland

Born in Bochum, Galland grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935, initially serving with the anti-aircraft artillery of the Luftwaffe. Upon his request in late 1940, he transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force). Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) in June 1941. Flying with this wing, Galland claimed his first aerial victory on 23 July 1941 on the Western Front over a Royal Air Force fighter aircraft. He was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 26 in May 1942 and in January 1943, Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of JG 26. Following his 34th aerial victory, he was nominated and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 May 1943. Galland claimed his last aerial victory on 12 August 1943. On 17 August 1943, during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, he was killed in action following combat with Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters from the 56th Fighter Group.

Early life and career

Galland was born on 23 October 1914 in Bochum in the Province of Westphalia.[1] The family with French Huguenot ancestry, had settled in Westerholt in 1792. Galland was the third of four sons of Adolf Galland (senior) and his French wife Anna, née Schipper. Upholding the family tradition, Galland (senior) worked as the land manager or bailiff to the Count von Westerholt.[2] Galland's two older brothers were Fritz and Adolf and his younger brother was Paul. Their father had pet names for all his family members. His wife Anna was called "Anita". Fritz was called "Toby", Adolf was "Keffer", Wilhelm-Ferdinand was nicknamed "Wutz" and Paul was called "Paulinchen" or since they were expecting a girl, occasionally "Paula". All four Galland brothers later served in the Luftwaffe.[3]

World War II

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. At the time, Galland served with Flak-Lehr-Regiment, an anti-aircraft artillery training regiment, and participated in the Battle of France. In late 1940, he began flight training.[1][Note 1] On 27 June 1941, Galland completed his supplementary fighter pilot training with the Ergänzungsgruppe (a training unit) of JG 26 "Schlageter" and was then posted to II. Gruppe of JG 26.[5][Note 2] JG 26 was named after Albert Leo Schlageter, a martyr cultivated by the Nazi Party.[6] Flying with 6. Staffel (6th squadron), Galland claimed his first aerial victory on 23 July 1941 in defense of a Royal Air Force (RAF) "Circus" mission flown by No. 11 Group.[7] He shot down a Supermarine Spitfire fighter northwest of Hesdin, which according to Caldwell was unconfirmed.[8] He filed his second claim on 27 September following combat with Spitfires in the vicinity of Boulogne. That day, the RAF flew two "Circus" missions, No. 103A attacking the Amiens motor yards, and No. 103B, targeting the Mazingarbe power station.[9] On 6 November, Galland claimed a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Spitfire from No. 452 Squadron shot down in the area of Calais, his last claim in 1941.[10]

 
A Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter similar to those flown by Galland.

On 28 March 1943, the RAF conducted a "Rodeo" fighter sweeps over enemy territory. In its defense, II. Gruppe was called to action when an attack on Boulogne was imminent. The Hornchurch Wing engaged the Stab (headquarters unit) and I. Gruppe of JG 26 over Guînes and the English Channel while the Kenley Wing lead by Group Captain Victor Beamish encountered II. Gruppe between Cap Gris-Nez and Calais. In this aerial battle, JG 26 lost two aircraft and claimed six RAF fighters shot down, including Beamish who was killed in action. Galland accounted for one of the six German claims, taking his total to four aerial victories. He was credited with shooting down a Spitfire at 18:50 in the vicinity of Cap Gris-Nez.[11] On 10 April, the RAF flew two "Rodeos", providing a diversion for a "Ramrod" short range bomber attack missions targeting Boulogne. That day, Galland flew with the Gruppenstab under the command of Hauptmann Joachim Müncheberg. JG 26 lost three aircraft, including two pilots killed in action, for six aerial victories claimed. Galland claimed a 340 (Free French) Squadron Spitfire shot down 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) west of Étaples.[12] His sixth claim was filed on 24 April following combat in defense of "Circus" No. 132. That day, the RAF targeted oil installations at Vlissingen and Walcheren in the Netherlands. II. Gruppe took off from Abbeville, headed for Cap Gris-Nez and attacked No. 234 Squadron, shooting down four Spitfires. One victory was credited to Galland who shot down a Spitfire near Cap d'Albert.[13] On 1 May, four "Rodeos" and "Circus" No. 150 attacked various targets in northern France. II. Gruppe engaged the Hornchurch and North Weald Wing. During this encounter, Galland shot down a Spitfire from either No. 122 or No. 222 Squadron in the vicinity of Dover.[14]

Squadron leader

On 4 May 1942, Galland was transferred to 5. Staffel (5th squadron) of JG 26. There, Galland replaced Oberleutnant Wolfgang Kosse as squadron leader, at first as Staffelführer and later officially as Staffelkapitän.[15] The next day, Galland claimed his eighth aerial victory, a No. 41 Squadron Spitfire providing escort for "Circus" No. 157's Douglas A-20 Havoc "Boston" bombers.[16] On the early morning of 2 June, the RAF flew a "Roadstead"—a low-level attack on coastal shipping—over the Somme Estuary, supported by two "Rodeos" heading for Saint-Omer. II. Gruppe was scrambled and encountered Spitfires from No. 64 and No. 222 Squadron over the Somme Estuary. In the resulting aerial battle, Galland claimed two Spitfires shot down at 07:10 and 07:18 respectively.[17] On 20 June, II. Gruppe was called to action against "Circus" No. 193 targeting Le Havre. At 15:46, Galland accounted for a No. 118 or No. 501 Squadron Spitfire claimed in the area of Guînes.[18] Galland claimed two further Spitfires shot down west-northwest of the Somme Estuary on 31 July. His opponents were fighters from either No. 121 or No. 332 Squadron.[19]

During the Dieppe Raid on 19 August, 5. Staffel headed by Galland was scrambled from Abbeville at 06:30. At 06:43, 5. Staffel engaged fighters from the Hornchurch Wing, claiming one Spitfire shot down. At 07:49, Galland led his Staffel on the second mission of the day and encountered fighters from the North Weald Wing just north Dieppe. At 07:55, Galland was credited with the destruction of a Spitfire, the aircraft coming from either No. 242, No. 331 or No. 332 Squadron.[20] In the afternoon, Galland led a flight of four Fw 190 to Dieppe. Taking off at Abbeville at 17:24, Galland found the combat zone at Dieppe deserted and spotted a small steamer laying offshore. Galland ordered a strafing run which exploded the ship. He then spotted another vessel which tried to escape north but was also sunk by strafing gunfire.[21] He claimed his 15th aerial victory on 27 August over a Spitfire from the No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron. 5. Staffel had been placed on cockpit-readiness and was scrambled at 13:32 to intercept the incoming fighters approaching at low altitude. Galland's opponent was shot down at 13:45 northwest of the Somme Estuary.[22] The next day, he claimed a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Spitfire from No. 401 Squadron east of Amiens.[23]

The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) VIII Bomber Command, later renamed to Eighth Air Force, had begun its regular combat operations on 17 August 1942.[24] On 5 September, VIII Bomber Command targeted the Port of Le Havre and the Sotteville-lès-Rouen railroad yards, escorted by RAF Spitfire fighters from No. 64 and 340 (Free French) Squadron. At 11:35, Galland claimed one of the six Spitfires shot down by JG 26 that day.[25] On 12 October, credited with 17 aerial victories, he was awarded the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe).[1] Three days later, 5. Staffel encountered twenty Spitfires from No. 122 and No. 453 Squadron between Fécamp and Le Havre, one of which was shot down by Galland.[26] On 31 October, Galland's younger brother Paul, who also served as a fighter pilot in JG 26, was killed in action.[27] Galland claimed another aerial victory on 4 December 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Boulogne over a No. 401 or No. 402 Squadron Spitfire.[28]

On 15 December 1942, II. and III. Gruppe began experimenting with the then new Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4 variant. Among other changes to earlier variants, it featured GM-1 nitrous oxide 'boost' for its Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine giving it an advantage to contemporary RAF fighters at higher altitude. II. Gruppe was scheduled to be fully reequipped with the Bf 109 G-4 in early 1943. However, Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) Hauptmann Conny Meyer, and later Galland, stalled the transition, retaining their Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters until the decision was revoked, as they believed the Fw 190 to be superior and more versatile to the Bf 109.[29] Galland claimed his 21st and last aerial victory of 1942 on 31 December 1942. On New Year's Eve, he shot down a Spitfire from No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron north-northwest of the Somme Estuary.[30]

Group commander and death

On 2 January 1943, Galland was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II. Gruppe of JG 26 by his brother General der Jagdflieger (General of the Fighter Arm) Adolf Galland. General Galland had been unhappy for some time about the JG 26's lack of success against the USAAF strategic aerial bombardment campaign. In consequence, the former Gruppenkommandeur Meyer was transferred to a training unit and Wilhelm-Ferdinand appointed his successor.[31] Galland claimed his first aerial victory in 1943 over a Spitfire from the 340 (Free French) Squadron on 9 January. That day, the RAF targeted the Abbeville-Drucat airfield.[32] On 13 January, Galland mistakenly shot down and killed Unteroffizier Johann Irlinger from 6. Staffel over the Abbeville airfield. Galland had misidentified the Bf 109 G-4 as a Spitfire.[33] On 22 January, Galland led his Gruppe in a mission against an RAF "Circus" consisting of a flight of A-20 "Boston" bombers escorted by numerous Spitfire fighters. In this engagement, Galland was credited with the destruction of a No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron Spitfire shot down west-northwest of Gravelines. Four days later, II. Gruppe faced Spitfires from No. 64 and No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron, resulting in another victory over a Spitfire. His 24th aerial victory was claimed near Watten.[34] This resulted in the presentation of the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 28 January 1943, which he received for 24 aerial victories.[35]

 
Captain Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group standing on the port wing of his P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft.

On 8 March, VIII Bomber Command attacked Rennes with 54 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and Rouen railroad yards with 16 Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers. While Major Josef Priller and his flight attacked the escort fighters, Galland led his 24 Fw 190 fighters in a head-on attack on the B-24 bomber formation from the 44th Bombardment Group. Without damage or loss to the Fw 190 fighters, four B-24 bombers were claimed, one of which by Galland, shot down near Tôtes.[36] According to Weal, this was the only time a Luftwaffe unit forced the USAAF bombers to turn back before reaching their target.[37] On 17 April, Galland claimed a North American P-51 Mustang fighter. Since no P-51 fighters were involved, it is possible that his opponent was a misidentified No. 56 Squadron Hawker Typhoon which crashed after engine failure.[38] On 21 April, Galland led his flight against eleven Lockheed Ventura medium bombers from No. 21 Squadron RAF attacking the Abbeville railroad yards. In this encounter, Galland was credited with the destruction of two Ventura bombers.[39] He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 18 May 1943. The nomination had been submitted following his 34th aerial victory. The presentation was made at the Vitry airfield by Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal) Hugo Sperrle.[40]

 
Lommel German war cemetery - Wilhelm Galland

In the late afternoon on 4 July, RAF North American B-25 Mitchell bombers attacked Amiens. To counter this attack, Jagdfliegerführer 2, among other units, dispatched II. Gruppe of JG 26 headed by Galland. The Gruppe claimed four aerial victories over the escorting fighters, including a Spitfire shot down by Galland, for the loss of one pilot killed in action.[41] On 9 July, Galland had just been promoted to Major (major), and claimed another Spitfire shot down. This combat occurred over Boulogne and was in defense of "Ramrod" 127. RAF Y-stations recorded the communications of this encounter. Both sides claimed one aerial victory each with no aircraft lost on either side.[42] Galland shot down two Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters from the 78th Fighter Group on 14 July. The first was claimed northwest of Hesdin, the second 10–15 km (6.2–9.3 mi) west of Étaples. The next day, he accounted for another P-47 and a "Boston" bomber, both claimed over or near the Somme Estuary.[43] On 30 July 1943, the day marked the end of "Blitz Week", the USAAF targeted the Fieseler aircraft manufacturing factories located in Kassel. To counter this attack, Luftflotte 3 (3rd Air Fleet) dispatched eleven fighter groups, among them II. Gruppe of JG 26 lead by Galland.[44] On this mission, Galland claimed a B-17 bomber shot down east of Apeldoorn.[45] On 12 August, the USAAF flew bombing missions against the Ruhr and Rheine area. In defense of this attack, Galland claimed his last aerial victory, a B-17 bomber.[46] This claim in the vicinity of Siegburg was in fact an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from its combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.[47]

Galland was killed in action on 17 August 1943 during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, shot down in his Fw 190 A-6 (Werknummer 530125—factory number) 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) west of Maastricht.[48][49] Unteroffizier Heinz Gomann, Galland's wingman on this mission, had yelled out a warning too late. Galland disappeared after the first P-47 attack.[50] His body, still in his aircraft, was found two months later north of Liège.[51] II. Gruppe took off on a bomber intercept mission and engaged the B-17 bomber formation but the German aircraft were intercepted by escorting P-47 fighters from the 56th Fighter Group, USAAF, under command of Colonel Hubert Zemke. It is assumed that Galland was shot down by the American fighter pilot Walker "Bud" Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group.[52] Galland was temporarily succeeded by Hauptmann Johannes Naumann until Oberstleutnant Johannes Seifert took command on II. Gruppe on 9 September.[53]

Summary of career

Aerial victory claims

Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces: Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 56 aerial victory claims, all of which were claimed on the Western Front and include eight four-engined bombers.[54]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This along with the & (ampersand) indicates a endgültige Vernichtung (final destruction)—a coup de grâce inflicted on an already damaged heavy bomber.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[55]
On the Western Front — 22 June – 31 December 1941
1 23 July 1941 20:50 Spitfire northwest of Hesdin[56] 3 6 November 1941 15:35 Spitfire Calais[57]
2 27 September 1941 15:35 Spitfire Boulogne[57]
– 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[55]
On the Western Front — 1 January – May 1942
4 28 March 1942 19:00 Spitfire Cap Gris-Nez[58] 7 1 May 1942 19:45 Spitfire Dover[59]
5 10 April 1942 17:45 Spitfire 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Étaples[58] 8 5 May 1942 14:53 Spitfire Boulogne[59]
6 24 April 1942 14:54 Spitfire Cap d'Albert[59]
– 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[55]
On the Western Front — June – 31 December 1942
9 2 June 1942 07:10?[Note 3] Spitfire Somme Estuary[59] 16 28 August 1942 14:35?[Note 4] Spitfire east of Amiens[60]
10 2 June 1942 07:18?[Note 5] Spitfire Somme Estuary[59] 17 5 September 1942 11:35?[Note 6] Spitfire Le Tréport[60]
11 20 June 1942 15:46 Spitfire Guînes[59] 18 15 October 1942 16:34 Spitfire west-northwest of Fécamp[60]
12 31 July 1942 15:07 Spitfire west-northwest of Somme Estuary[61] 19 4 December 1942 14:55 Spitfire Dover/Folkestone[60]
13 31 July 1942 15:08 Spitfire west-northwest of Somme Estuary[61] 20 12 December 1942 11:39 Spitfire northwest of Boulogne[60]
14 19 August 1942 07:55?[Note 7] Spitfire north of Dieppe[61] 21 31 December 1942 14:45 Spitfire north-northwest of Somme Estuary[61]
15 27 August 1942 13:45?[Note 8] Spitfire northwest of Somme Estuary[61]
Stab II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" –[54]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1943
22 9 January 1943 13:45 Spitfire west of Somme Estuary[62] 40 17 April 1943 15:06 P-51 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Somme Estuary[63]
23 22 January 1943 15:30 Spitfire west-northwest of Gravelines[62] 41 21 April 1943 12:14 Ventura northeast of Somme Estuary[63]
24 26 January 1943 12:52 Spitfire 1 km (0.62 mi) west of Watten[62] 42 21 April 1943 12:20 Ventura 10–20 km (6.2–12.4 mi) west of Somme Estuary[63]
25 3 February 1943 11:05 Hudson 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Grand-Fort-Philippe[62] 43 16 June 1943 07:10 Spitfire Calais/Dover[64]
26 3 February 1943 11:12 Spitfire 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Grand-Fort-Philippe[62] 44 20 June 1943 13:30 Spitfire northeast of Hesdin[64]
27 3 February 1943 15:28?[Note 9] Spitfire 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Dunkirk[62] 45 22 June 1943 09:22 B-17 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Vlissingen[64]
28 13 February 1943 10:17 Spitfire 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Hardelot[62] 46?[Note 10] 22 June 1943 09:25 B-17& 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Vlissingen[64]
29 13 February 1943 12:20 Spitfire southeast of Le Touquet[62] 47 26 June 1943 18:52 P-47 north of Neufchâtel[64]
30 15 February 1943 16:04 Spitfire 6–8 km (3.7–5.0 mi) southeast of Ramsgate[63] 48 26 June 1943 19:04 P-47 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Dieppe[64]
31?[Note 11] 16 February 1943 17:35 Spitfire 8 km (5.0 mi) northwest of Abbeville[63] 49 4 July 1943 17:37 Spitfire Vignacourt near Amiens[64]
32 26 February 1943 10:35?[Note 12] Spitfire 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Saint-Omer[63] 50 9 July 1943 08:16 Spitfire 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Boulogne[64]
33 8 March 1943 14:04 B-24 Tôtes, 35 km (22 mi) north of Rouen[63] 51 14 July 1943 07:50 P-47 northwest of Hesdin
34 13 March 1943 15:35 Spitfire Étaples[63] 52 14 July 1943 08:05 P-47 10–15 km (6.2–9.3 mi) west of Étaples[64]
35 14 March 1943 17:55 Spitfire 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Boulogne[63] 53 15 July 1943 16:50 Boston Somme Estuary[64]
36 4 April 1943 14:40 Spitfire southeast of Fécamp[63] 54 15 July 1943 16:55 P-47 10 km (6.2 mi) west-northwest of Somme Estuary[64]
37 4 April 1943 14:45 B-17 8 km (5.0 mi) north of Fécamp[63] 55 30 July 1943 10:05 B-17 15 km (9.3 mi) southeast of Apeldoorn[64]
38 4 April 1943 14:55 B-17 20–30 km (12–19 mi) north of Fécamp[63] 56 12 August 1943 09:10 B-17* Siegburg[47]
39 5 April 1943 15:25 B-17 south of Antwerp[63]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations.[4]
  2. ^ For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:15.[55]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14:40.[55]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07:20.[55]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11:36.[55]
  7. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 08:00.[55]
  8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:48.[55]
  9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15:30.[55]
  10. ^ According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, this aerial victory is unconfirmed,[63] while Mathews and Foreman list this claim as Galland's 46th aerial victory.[54]
  11. ^ According to Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike and Bock, this aerial victory was a joined II. Gruppe claim and is not explicitly linked to Galland.[63]
  12. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10:38.[55]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c Obermaier 1989, p. 117.
  2. ^ Toliver & Constable 1999, p. 15.
  3. ^ Toliver & Constable 1999, p. 13.
  4. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  5. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 141–142.
  6. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 3.
  7. ^ Caldwell 1991, p. 93.
  8. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 156–157.
  9. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 180–181.
  10. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 188.
  11. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 219–220.
  12. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 223–224.
  13. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 228–230.
  14. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 236–237.
  15. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 237.
  16. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 238.
  17. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 246–247.
  18. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 252–253.
  19. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 265.
  20. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 269–271, 279.
  21. ^ Caldwell 1991, pp. 121–122.
  22. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 282–283.
  23. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 284.
  24. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 268.
  25. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 286.
  26. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 297, 300.
  27. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 300.
  28. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 307.
  29. ^ Caldwell 1996, pp. 312–313.
  30. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 317.
  31. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 8.
  32. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 10, 14.
  33. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 12.
  34. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 18−21.
  35. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 21.
  36. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 33–34.
  37. ^ Weal 1996, p. 43.
  38. ^ Caldwell 1998, pp. 47, 49.
  39. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 48.
  40. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 61.
  41. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 114.
  42. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 116.
  43. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 118.
  44. ^ Weal 2011, p. 21.
  45. ^ Weal 2011, p. 23.
  46. ^ Weal 2011, p. 24.
  47. ^ a b Prien et al. 2010, p. 556.
  48. ^ Prien et al. 2010, pp. 546, 561.
  49. ^ Forsyth 2011, pp. 22–23.
  50. ^ Caldwell 1998, p. 138.
  51. ^ Weal 2011, p. 28.
  52. ^ Bowman 2009, p. 96.
  53. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 550.
  54. ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 367–368.
  55. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 367.
  56. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 531.
  57. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 533.
  58. ^ a b Prien et al. 2004, p. 371.
  59. ^ a b c d e f Prien et al. 2004, p. 372.
  60. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2004, p. 375.
  61. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2004, p. 373.
  62. ^ a b c d e f g h Prien et al. 2010, p. 553.
  63. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Prien et al. 2010, p. 554.
  64. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Prien et al. 2010, p. 555.
  65. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 82.
  66. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 128.
  67. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 191.
  68. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 326.

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  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 7—Heimatverteidigung—1. January bis 31 Dezember 1942—Einsatz im Westen—1. Januar bis 31. Dezember 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 7—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1942—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-73-1.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/IV—Einsatz im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/IV—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-92-2.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
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wilhelm, ferdinand, galland, wilhelm, ferdinand, wutz, galland, october, 1914, august, 1943, german, luftwaffe, military, aviator, fighter, during, world, credited, with, aerial, victories, achieved, combat, missions, victories, were, claimed, over, western, f. Wilhelm Ferdinand Wutz Galland 23 October 1914 17 August 1943 was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II He is credited with 55 aerial victories achieved in 186 combat missions All his victories were claimed over the Western Front and in Defense of the Reich This figure included seven four engine bombers and 37 Supermarine Spitfire fighters Wilhelm Ferdinand GallandNickname s WutzBorn 1914 10 23 23 October 1914Bochum Kingdom of Prussia German EmpireDied17 August 1943 1943 08 17 aged 28 near Maastricht German occupied NetherlandsBuriedLommel Belgium Block 21 grave 290 Allegiance Nazi GermanyService wbr branch LuftwaffeYears of service1935 43RankMajor major UnitFlak Lehr RegimentJG 26Commands heldII JG 26Battles warsSee battlesWorld War II Battle of France Western FrontDieppe RaidDefense of the ReichSchweinfurt Regensburg mission AwardsKnight s Cross of the Iron CrossRelationsAdolf GallandPaul GallandBorn in Bochum Galland grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935 initially serving with the anti aircraft artillery of the Luftwaffe Upon his request in late 1940 he transferred to the Jagdwaffe fighter force Following flight training he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter JG 26 26th Fighter Wing in June 1941 Flying with this wing Galland claimed his first aerial victory on 23 July 1941 on the Western Front over a Royal Air Force fighter aircraft He was made Staffelkapitan squadron leader of 5 Staffel 5th squadron of JG 26 in May 1942 and in January 1943 Gruppenkommandeur group commander of II Gruppe of JG 26 Following his 34th aerial victory he was nominated and awarded the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 May 1943 Galland claimed his last aerial victory on 12 August 1943 On 17 August 1943 during the Schweinfurt Regensburg mission he was killed in action following combat with Republic P 47 Thunderbolt fighters from the 56th Fighter Group Contents 1 Early life and career 2 World War II 2 1 Squadron leader 2 2 Group commander and death 3 Summary of career 3 1 Aerial victory claims 3 2 Awards 4 Notes 5 References 5 1 Citations 5 2 BibliographyEarly life and career EditGalland was born on 23 October 1914 in Bochum in the Province of Westphalia 1 The family with French Huguenot ancestry had settled in Westerholt in 1792 Galland was the third of four sons of Adolf Galland senior and his French wife Anna nee Schipper Upholding the family tradition Galland senior worked as the land manager or bailiff to the Count von Westerholt 2 Galland s two older brothers were Fritz and Adolf and his younger brother was Paul Their father had pet names for all his family members His wife Anna was called Anita Fritz was called Toby Adolf was Keffer Wilhelm Ferdinand was nicknamed Wutz and Paul was called Paulinchen or since they were expecting a girl occasionally Paula All four Galland brothers later served in the Luftwaffe 3 World War II EditWorld War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland At the time Galland served with Flak Lehr Regiment an anti aircraft artillery training regiment and participated in the Battle of France In late 1940 he began flight training 1 Note 1 On 27 June 1941 Galland completed his supplementary fighter pilot training with the Erganzungsgruppe a training unit of JG 26 Schlageter and was then posted to II Gruppe of JG 26 5 Note 2 JG 26 was named after Albert Leo Schlageter a martyr cultivated by the Nazi Party 6 Flying with 6 Staffel 6th squadron Galland claimed his first aerial victory on 23 July 1941 in defense of a Royal Air Force RAF Circus mission flown by No 11 Group 7 He shot down a Supermarine Spitfire fighter northwest of Hesdin which according to Caldwell was unconfirmed 8 He filed his second claim on 27 September following combat with Spitfires in the vicinity of Boulogne That day the RAF flew two Circus missions No 103A attacking the Amiens motor yards and No 103B targeting the Mazingarbe power station 9 On 6 November Galland claimed a Royal Australian Air Force RAAF Spitfire from No 452 Squadron shot down in the area of Calais his last claim in 1941 10 A Focke Wulf Fw 190 fighter similar to those flown by Galland On 28 March 1943 the RAF conducted a Rodeo fighter sweeps over enemy territory In its defense II Gruppe was called to action when an attack on Boulogne was imminent The Hornchurch Wing engaged the Stab headquarters unit and I Gruppe of JG 26 over Guines and the English Channel while the Kenley Wing lead by Group Captain Victor Beamish encountered II Gruppe between Cap Gris Nez and Calais In this aerial battle JG 26 lost two aircraft and claimed six RAF fighters shot down including Beamish who was killed in action Galland accounted for one of the six German claims taking his total to four aerial victories He was credited with shooting down a Spitfire at 18 50 in the vicinity of Cap Gris Nez 11 On 10 April the RAF flew two Rodeos providing a diversion for a Ramrod short range bomber attack missions targeting Boulogne That day Galland flew with the Gruppenstab under the command of Hauptmann Joachim Muncheberg JG 26 lost three aircraft including two pilots killed in action for six aerial victories claimed Galland claimed a 340 Free French Squadron Spitfire shot down 5 kilometres 3 1 miles west of Etaples 12 His sixth claim was filed on 24 April following combat in defense of Circus No 132 That day the RAF targeted oil installations at Vlissingen and Walcheren in the Netherlands II Gruppe took off from Abbeville headed for Cap Gris Nez and attacked No 234 Squadron shooting down four Spitfires One victory was credited to Galland who shot down a Spitfire near Cap d Albert 13 On 1 May four Rodeos and Circus No 150 attacked various targets in northern France II Gruppe engaged the Hornchurch and North Weald Wing During this encounter Galland shot down a Spitfire from either No 122 or No 222 Squadron in the vicinity of Dover 14 Squadron leader Edit On 4 May 1942 Galland was transferred to 5 Staffel 5th squadron of JG 26 There Galland replaced Oberleutnant Wolfgang Kosse as squadron leader at first as Staffelfuhrer and later officially as Staffelkapitan 15 The next day Galland claimed his eighth aerial victory a No 41 Squadron Spitfire providing escort for Circus No 157 s Douglas A 20 Havoc Boston bombers 16 On the early morning of 2 June the RAF flew a Roadstead a low level attack on coastal shipping over the Somme Estuary supported by two Rodeos heading for Saint Omer II Gruppe was scrambled and encountered Spitfires from No 64 and No 222 Squadron over the Somme Estuary In the resulting aerial battle Galland claimed two Spitfires shot down at 07 10 and 07 18 respectively 17 On 20 June II Gruppe was called to action against Circus No 193 targeting Le Havre At 15 46 Galland accounted for a No 118 or No 501 Squadron Spitfire claimed in the area of Guines 18 Galland claimed two further Spitfires shot down west northwest of the Somme Estuary on 31 July His opponents were fighters from either No 121 or No 332 Squadron 19 During the Dieppe Raid on 19 August 5 Staffel headed by Galland was scrambled from Abbeville at 06 30 At 06 43 5 Staffel engaged fighters from the Hornchurch Wing claiming one Spitfire shot down At 07 49 Galland led his Staffel on the second mission of the day and encountered fighters from the North Weald Wing just north Dieppe At 07 55 Galland was credited with the destruction of a Spitfire the aircraft coming from either No 242 No 331 or No 332 Squadron 20 In the afternoon Galland led a flight of four Fw 190 to Dieppe Taking off at Abbeville at 17 24 Galland found the combat zone at Dieppe deserted and spotted a small steamer laying offshore Galland ordered a strafing run which exploded the ship He then spotted another vessel which tried to escape north but was also sunk by strafing gunfire 21 He claimed his 15th aerial victory on 27 August over a Spitfire from the No 350 Belgian Squadron 5 Staffel had been placed on cockpit readiness and was scrambled at 13 32 to intercept the incoming fighters approaching at low altitude Galland s opponent was shot down at 13 45 northwest of the Somme Estuary 22 The next day he claimed a Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF Spitfire from No 401 Squadron east of Amiens 23 The United States Army Air Forces USAAF VIII Bomber Command later renamed to Eighth Air Force had begun its regular combat operations on 17 August 1942 24 On 5 September VIII Bomber Command targeted the Port of Le Havre and the Sotteville les Rouen railroad yards escorted by RAF Spitfire fighters from No 64 and 340 Free French Squadron At 11 35 Galland claimed one of the six Spitfires shot down by JG 26 that day 25 On 12 October credited with 17 aerial victories he was awarded the Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe 1 Three days later 5 Staffel encountered twenty Spitfires from No 122 and No 453 Squadron between Fecamp and Le Havre one of which was shot down by Galland 26 On 31 October Galland s younger brother Paul who also served as a fighter pilot in JG 26 was killed in action 27 Galland claimed another aerial victory on 4 December 20 km 12 mi northwest of Boulogne over a No 401 or No 402 Squadron Spitfire 28 On 15 December 1942 II and III Gruppe began experimenting with the then new Messerschmitt Bf 109 G 4 variant Among other changes to earlier variants it featured GM 1 nitrous oxide boost for its Daimler Benz DB 605 engine giving it an advantage to contemporary RAF fighters at higher altitude II Gruppe was scheduled to be fully reequipped with the Bf 109 G 4 in early 1943 However Gruppenkommandeur group commander Hauptmann Conny Meyer and later Galland stalled the transition retaining their Focke Wulf Fw 190 fighters until the decision was revoked as they believed the Fw 190 to be superior and more versatile to the Bf 109 29 Galland claimed his 21st and last aerial victory of 1942 on 31 December 1942 On New Year s Eve he shot down a Spitfire from No 306 Polish Fighter Squadron north northwest of the Somme Estuary 30 Group commander and death Edit On 2 January 1943 Galland was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II Gruppe of JG 26 by his brother General der Jagdflieger General of the Fighter Arm Adolf Galland General Galland had been unhappy for some time about the JG 26 s lack of success against the USAAF strategic aerial bombardment campaign In consequence the former Gruppenkommandeur Meyer was transferred to a training unit and Wilhelm Ferdinand appointed his successor 31 Galland claimed his first aerial victory in 1943 over a Spitfire from the 340 Free French Squadron on 9 January That day the RAF targeted the Abbeville Drucat airfield 32 On 13 January Galland mistakenly shot down and killed Unteroffizier Johann Irlinger from 6 Staffel over the Abbeville airfield Galland had misidentified the Bf 109 G 4 as a Spitfire 33 On 22 January Galland led his Gruppe in a mission against an RAF Circus consisting of a flight of A 20 Boston bombers escorted by numerous Spitfire fighters In this engagement Galland was credited with the destruction of a No 350 Belgian Squadron Spitfire shot down west northwest of Gravelines Four days later II Gruppe faced Spitfires from No 64 and No 306 Polish Fighter Squadron resulting in another victory over a Spitfire His 24th aerial victory was claimed near Watten 34 This resulted in the presentation of the German Cross in Gold Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 28 January 1943 which he received for 24 aerial victories 35 Captain Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group standing on the port wing of his P 47 Thunderbolt aircraft On 8 March VIII Bomber Command attacked Rennes with 54 Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress bombers and Rouen railroad yards with 16 Consolidated B 24 Liberator bombers While Major Josef Priller and his flight attacked the escort fighters Galland led his 24 Fw 190 fighters in a head on attack on the B 24 bomber formation from the 44th Bombardment Group Without damage or loss to the Fw 190 fighters four B 24 bombers were claimed one of which by Galland shot down near Totes 36 According to Weal this was the only time a Luftwaffe unit forced the USAAF bombers to turn back before reaching their target 37 On 17 April Galland claimed a North American P 51 Mustang fighter Since no P 51 fighters were involved it is possible that his opponent was a misidentified No 56 Squadron Hawker Typhoon which crashed after engine failure 38 On 21 April Galland led his flight against eleven Lockheed Ventura medium bombers from No 21 Squadron RAF attacking the Abbeville railroad yards In this encounter Galland was credited with the destruction of two Ventura bombers 39 He was awarded the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 18 May 1943 The nomination had been submitted following his 34th aerial victory The presentation was made at the Vitry airfield by Generalfeldmarschall Field Marshal Hugo Sperrle 40 Lommel German war cemetery Wilhelm GallandIn the late afternoon on 4 July RAF North American B 25 Mitchell bombers attacked Amiens To counter this attack Jagdfliegerfuhrer 2 among other units dispatched II Gruppe of JG 26 headed by Galland The Gruppe claimed four aerial victories over the escorting fighters including a Spitfire shot down by Galland for the loss of one pilot killed in action 41 On 9 July Galland had just been promoted to Major major and claimed another Spitfire shot down This combat occurred over Boulogne and was in defense of Ramrod 127 RAF Y stations recorded the communications of this encounter Both sides claimed one aerial victory each with no aircraft lost on either side 42 Galland shot down two Republic P 47 Thunderbolt fighters from the 78th Fighter Group on 14 July The first was claimed northwest of Hesdin the second 10 15 km 6 2 9 3 mi west of Etaples The next day he accounted for another P 47 and a Boston bomber both claimed over or near the Somme Estuary 43 On 30 July 1943 the day marked the end of Blitz Week the USAAF targeted the Fieseler aircraft manufacturing factories located in Kassel To counter this attack Luftflotte 3 3rd Air Fleet dispatched eleven fighter groups among them II Gruppe of JG 26 lead by Galland 44 On this mission Galland claimed a B 17 bomber shot down east of Apeldoorn 45 On 12 August the USAAF flew bombing missions against the Ruhr and Rheine area In defense of this attack Galland claimed his last aerial victory a B 17 bomber 46 This claim in the vicinity of Siegburg was in fact an Herausschuss separation shot a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from its combat box which was counted as an aerial victory 47 Galland was killed in action on 17 August 1943 during the Schweinfurt Regensburg mission shot down in his Fw 190 A 6 Werknummer 530125 factory number 5 kilometres 3 1 miles west of Maastricht 48 49 Unteroffizier Heinz Gomann Galland s wingman on this mission had yelled out a warning too late Galland disappeared after the first P 47 attack 50 His body still in his aircraft was found two months later north of Liege 51 II Gruppe took off on a bomber intercept mission and engaged the B 17 bomber formation but the German aircraft were intercepted by escorting P 47 fighters from the 56th Fighter Group USAAF under command of Colonel Hubert Zemke It is assumed that Galland was shot down by the American fighter pilot Walker Bud Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group 52 Galland was temporarily succeeded by Hauptmann Johannes Naumann until Oberstleutnant Johannes Seifert took command on II Gruppe on 9 September 53 Summary of career EditAerial victory claims Edit Mathews and Foreman authors of Luftwaffe Aces Biographies and Victory Claims researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 56 aerial victory claims all of which were claimed on the Western Front and include eight four engined bombers 54 Chronicle of aerial victories This along with the asterisk indicates an Herausschuss separation shot a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory This along with the amp ampersand indicates a endgultige Vernichtung final destruction a coup de grace inflicted on an already damaged heavy bomber This and the question mark indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien Stemmer Rodeike Bock Mathews and Foreman Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location 6 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter 55 On the Western Front 22 June 31 December 19411 23 July 1941 20 50 Spitfire northwest of Hesdin 56 3 6 November 1941 15 35 Spitfire Calais 57 2 27 September 1941 15 35 Spitfire Boulogne 57 6 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter 55 On the Western Front 1 January May 19424 28 March 1942 19 00 Spitfire Cap Gris Nez 58 7 1 May 1942 19 45 Spitfire Dover 59 5 10 April 1942 17 45 Spitfire 5 km 3 1 mi west of Etaples 58 8 5 May 1942 14 53 Spitfire Boulogne 59 6 24 April 1942 14 54 Spitfire Cap d Albert 59 5 Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter 55 On the Western Front June 31 December 19429 2 June 1942 07 10 Note 3 Spitfire Somme Estuary 59 16 28 August 1942 14 35 Note 4 Spitfire east of Amiens 60 10 2 June 1942 07 18 Note 5 Spitfire Somme Estuary 59 17 5 September 1942 11 35 Note 6 Spitfire Le Treport 60 11 20 June 1942 15 46 Spitfire Guines 59 18 15 October 1942 16 34 Spitfire west northwest of Fecamp 60 12 31 July 1942 15 07 Spitfire west northwest of Somme Estuary 61 19 4 December 1942 14 55 Spitfire Dover Folkestone 60 13 31 July 1942 15 08 Spitfire west northwest of Somme Estuary 61 20 12 December 1942 11 39 Spitfire northwest of Boulogne 60 14 19 August 1942 07 55 Note 7 Spitfire north of Dieppe 61 21 31 December 1942 14 45 Spitfire north northwest of Somme Estuary 61 15 27 August 1942 13 45 Note 8 Spitfire northwest of Somme Estuary 61 Stab II Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter 54 On the Western Front 1 January 31 December 194322 9 January 1943 13 45 Spitfire west of Somme Estuary 62 40 17 April 1943 15 06 P 51 20 km 12 mi west northwest of Somme Estuary 63 23 22 January 1943 15 30 Spitfire west northwest of Gravelines 62 41 21 April 1943 12 14 Ventura northeast of Somme Estuary 63 24 26 January 1943 12 52 Spitfire 1 km 0 62 mi west of Watten 62 42 21 April 1943 12 20 Ventura 10 20 km 6 2 12 4 mi west of Somme Estuary 63 25 3 February 1943 11 05 Hudson 10 km 6 2 mi north of Grand Fort Philippe 62 43 16 June 1943 07 10 Spitfire Calais Dover 64 26 3 February 1943 11 12 Spitfire 15 km 9 3 mi north of Grand Fort Philippe 62 44 20 June 1943 13 30 Spitfire northeast of Hesdin 64 27 3 February 1943 15 28 Note 9 Spitfire 15 km 9 3 mi north of Dunkirk 62 45 22 June 1943 09 22 B 17 10 km 6 2 mi northwest of Vlissingen 64 28 13 February 1943 10 17 Spitfire 6 km 3 7 mi west of Hardelot 62 46 Note 10 22 June 1943 09 25 B 17 amp 20 km 12 mi northwest of Vlissingen 64 29 13 February 1943 12 20 Spitfire southeast of Le Touquet 62 47 26 June 1943 18 52 P 47 north of Neufchatel 64 30 15 February 1943 16 04 Spitfire 6 8 km 3 7 5 0 mi southeast of Ramsgate 63 48 26 June 1943 19 04 P 47 10 km 6 2 mi northwest of Dieppe 64 31 Note 11 16 February 1943 17 35 Spitfire 8 km 5 0 mi northwest of Abbeville 63 49 4 July 1943 17 37 Spitfire Vignacourt near Amiens 64 32 26 February 1943 10 35 Note 12 Spitfire 15 km 9 3 mi southwest of Saint Omer 63 50 9 July 1943 08 16 Spitfire 15 km 9 3 mi west of Boulogne 64 33 8 March 1943 14 04 B 24 Totes 35 km 22 mi north of Rouen 63 51 14 July 1943 07 50 P 47 northwest of Hesdin34 13 March 1943 15 35 Spitfire Etaples 63 52 14 July 1943 08 05 P 47 10 15 km 6 2 9 3 mi west of Etaples 64 35 14 March 1943 17 55 Spitfire 10 km 6 2 mi southwest of Boulogne 63 53 15 July 1943 16 50 Boston Somme Estuary 64 36 4 April 1943 14 40 Spitfire southeast of Fecamp 63 54 15 July 1943 16 55 P 47 10 km 6 2 mi west northwest of Somme Estuary 64 37 4 April 1943 14 45 B 17 8 km 5 0 mi north of Fecamp 63 55 30 July 1943 10 05 B 17 15 km 9 3 mi southeast of Apeldoorn 64 38 4 April 1943 14 55 B 17 20 30 km 12 19 mi north of Fecamp 63 56 12 August 1943 09 10 B 17 Siegburg 47 39 5 April 1943 15 25 B 17 south of Antwerp 63 Awards Edit Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 12 October 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitan 65 German Cross in Gold on 28 January 1943 as Hauptmann in the II Jagdgeschwader 26 66 Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 May 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the II Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter 67 68 Notes Edit Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1 A2 and B1 B2 referred to as A B flight training A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics navigation long distance flights and dead stick landings The B courses included high altitude flights instrument flights night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations 4 For an explanation of Luftwaffe unit designations see Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07 15 55 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 14 40 55 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 07 20 55 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 11 36 55 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 08 00 55 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13 48 55 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 15 30 55 According to Prien Stemmer Rodeike and Bock this aerial victory is unconfirmed 63 while Mathews and Foreman list this claim as Galland s 46th aerial victory 54 According to Prien Stemmer Rodeike and Bock this aerial victory was a joined II Gruppe claim and is not explicitly linked to Galland 63 According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 10 38 55 References EditCitations Edit a b c Obermaier 1989 p 117 Toliver amp Constable 1999 p 15 Toliver amp Constable 1999 p 13 Bergstrom Antipov amp Sundin 2003 p 17 Caldwell 1996 pp 141 142 Caldwell 1996 p 3 Caldwell 1991 p 93 Caldwell 1996 pp 156 157 Caldwell 1996 pp 180 181 Caldwell 1996 p 188 Caldwell 1996 pp 219 220 Caldwell 1996 pp 223 224 Caldwell 1996 pp 228 230 Caldwell 1996 pp 236 237 Caldwell 1996 p 237 Caldwell 1996 p 238 Caldwell 1996 pp 246 247 Caldwell 1996 pp 252 253 Caldwell 1996 p 265 Caldwell 1996 pp 269 271 279 Caldwell 1991 pp 121 122 Caldwell 1996 pp 282 283 Caldwell 1996 p 284 Caldwell 1996 p 268 Caldwell 1996 p 286 Caldwell 1996 pp 297 300 Caldwell 1996 p 300 Caldwell 1996 p 307 Caldwell 1996 pp 312 313 Caldwell 1996 p 317 Caldwell 1998 p 8 Caldwell 1998 pp 10 14 Caldwell 1998 p 12 Caldwell 1998 pp 18 21 Caldwell 1998 p 21 Caldwell 1998 pp 33 34 Weal 1996 p 43 Caldwell 1998 pp 47 49 Caldwell 1998 p 48 Caldwell 1998 p 61 Caldwell 1998 p 114 Caldwell 1998 p 116 Caldwell 1998 p 118 Weal 2011 p 21 Weal 2011 p 23 Weal 2011 p 24 a b Prien et al 2010 p 556 Prien et al 2010 pp 546 561 Forsyth 2011 pp 22 23 Caldwell 1998 p 138 Weal 2011 p 28 Bowman 2009 p 96 Prien et al 2010 p 550 a b c Mathews amp Foreman 2015 pp 367 368 a b c d e f g h i j k Mathews amp Foreman 2015 p 367 Prien et al 2003 p 531 a b Prien et al 2003 p 533 a b Prien et al 2004 p 371 a b c d e f Prien et al 2004 p 372 a b c d e Prien et al 2004 p 375 a b c d e Prien et al 2004 p 373 a b c d e f g h Prien et al 2010 p 553 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Prien et al 2010 p 554 a b c d e f g h i j k l Prien et al 2010 p 555 Patzwall 2008 p 82 Patzwall amp Scherzer 2001 p 128 Fellgiebel 2000 p 191 Scherzer 2007 p 326 Bibliography Edit Bergstrom Christer Antipov Vlad Sundin Claes 2003 Graf amp Grislawski A Pair of Aces Hamilton MT Eagle Editions ISBN 978 0 9721060 4 7 Bowman Martin W 2009 US 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command USAAF 1943 45 P 38 Lightning P 47 Thunderbolt and P 51 Mustang Squadrons in East Anglia Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Barnsley UK Pen amp Sword ISBN 978 1 84415 905 5 Caldwell Donald L 1991 JG 26 Top Guns of the Luftwaffe New York Ivy Books ISBN 978 0 8041 1050 1 Caldwell Donald L 1996 The JG 26 War Diary Volume One 1939 1942 London UK Grubstreet ISBN 978 1 898697 52 7 Caldwell Donald L 1998 The JG 26 War Diary Volume Two 1943 1945 London Grub Street ISBN 978 1 898697 86 2 Fellgiebel Walther Peer in German 2000 1986 Die Trager des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 1945 Die Inhaber der hochsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile The Bearers of the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 1945 The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches in German Friedberg Germany Podzun Pallas ISBN 978 3 7909 0284 6 Forsyth Robert 2011 Luftwaffe Viermot Aces 1942 45 Aircraft of the Aces Vol 101 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84908 438 3 Mathews Andrew Johannes Foreman John 2015 Luftwaffe Aces Biographies and Victory Claims Volume 2 G L Walton on Thames Red Kite ISBN 978 1 906592 19 6 Obermaier Ernst 1989 Die Ritterkreuztrager der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 1945 The Knight s Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 1945 in German Mainz Germany Verlag Dieter Hoffmann ISBN 978 3 87341 065 7 Patzwall Klaus D Scherzer Veit 2001 Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II The German Cross 1941 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2 in German Norderstedt Germany Verlag Klaus D Patzwall ISBN 978 3 931533 45 8 Patzwall Klaus D 2008 Der Ehrenpokal fur besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War in German Norderstedt Germany Verlag Klaus D Patzwall ISBN 978 3 931533 08 3 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2003 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 5 Heimatverteidigung 10 Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941 Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum Oktober 1940 bis November 1941 Einsatz im Westen 22 Juni bis 31 Dezember 1941 Die Erganzungsjagdgruppen Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflosung Anfang 1942 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 5 Defense of the Reich 10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941 Action in the Mediterranean Theater October 1940 to November 1941 Action in the West 22 June to 31 December 1941 The Supplementary Fighter Groups Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 68 7 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2004 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 7 Heimatverteidigung 1 January bis 31 Dezember 1942 Einsatz im Westen 1 Januar bis 31 Dezember 1942 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 7 Defense of the Reich 1 January to 31 December 1942 Action in the West 1 January to 31 December 1942 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 73 1 Prien Jochen Stemmer Gerhard Rodeike Peter Bock Winfried 2010 Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 10 IV Einsatz im Westen 1 1 bis 31 12 1943 The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945 Part 10 IV Action in the West 1 January to 31 December 1943 in German Eutin Germany Struve Druck ISBN 978 3 923457 92 2 Scherzer Veit 2007 Die Ritterkreuztrager 1939 1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer Luftwaffe Kriegsmarine Waffen SS Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbundeter Streitkrafte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives The Knight s Cross Bearers 1939 1945 The Holders of the Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army Air Force Navy Waffen SS Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives in German Jena Germany Scherzers Militaer Verlag ISBN 978 3 938845 17 2 Spick Mike 1996 Luftwaffe Fighter Aces New York Ivy Books ISBN 978 0 8041 1696 1 Toliver Raymond F Constable Trevor J 1999 Fighter General The Life of Adolf Galland The Official Biography Atglen PA Schiffer Publishing ISBN 978 0 7643 0678 5 Weal John 1996 Focke Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Western Front Aircraft of the Aces Vol 9 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 85532 595 1 Weal John 2011 Fw 190 Defence of the Reich Aces Aircraft of the Aces Vol 92 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84603 482 4 Portals Aviation Biography Military of Germany World War II Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wilhelm Ferdinand Galland amp oldid 1153945907, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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