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Adolf Galland Quotes

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Adolf Galland, a renowned German pilot during World War II, was known as the 'Red Baron.' He was exceptional in aerial combat, credited with downing 87 enemy aircraft, making him one of the most successful pilots in the German Air Force.

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All Fighter Aviation Pilots Combat Fighter Pilot Air Power Aircraft Airpower Firsts Air Enemy Flight Has Beens Ifs Luck May Position Superiors Used War

Famous Adolf Galland Quotes

“For the first time I was flying by jet propulsion. No engine vibrations. No torque and no lashing sound of the propeller. Accompanied by a whistling sound, my jet shot through the air. Later when asked what it felt like, I said, "It felt as though angels were pushing".”

Firsts Said Felt Sound Air Shots Angel First Time Flying Flight Aviation Pushing Engines Vibrations Jet Whistling Propulsion Torque Propeller

Author:Adolf Galland

“Flying is more than a sport and more than a job; flying is pure passion and desire, which fill a lifetime.”

Life Inspirational Jobs Desire Passion Sports Pure Lifetime Flying Flight Meaning Of Life Aviation Passion And Desire

Author: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.”

Has Beens Used Air Effects Battle Decided Fighter Sufficient Britain Bombs Aviation Lasting Superiority Carrier Bombers Air Power Airpower Battle Of Britain

Book:The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“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.”

Results Enemy Plans Possibility Position Aviation Abandon Improving Inferiority Air Power Airpower

Author:Adolf Galland

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

Want Protect Fundamentals Defense Aviation Air Power Airpower

Book:The First and the Last: The Rise and Fall of the German Fighter Forces, 1938-1954

Source: The First and the Last: The Rise and Fall of the German Fighter Forces, 1938-1954

“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.”

Use Air Achieve Arms Horse Fighter Aviation Superiority Inadequate Carts Bombers Air Power Airpower

Book:The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“Superior technical achievements - used correctly both strategically and tactically - can beat any quantity numerically many times stronger yet technically inferior.”

Used Achievement Beats Stronger Superiors Aviation Quantity Inferiors Air Power Airpower

Book:The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“Their element is to attack, to track, to hunt, and to destroy the enemy. Only in this way can the eager and skillful fighter pilot display his ability. Tie him to a narrow and confined task, rob him of his initiative, and you take away from him the best and most valuable qualities he posses: aggressive spirit, joy of action, and the passion of the hunter.”

“The first rule of all air combat is to see the opponent first. Like the hunter who stalks his prey and maneuvers himself unnoticed into the most favourable position for the kill, the fighter in the opening of a dogfight must detect the opponent as early as possible in order to attain a superior position for the attack.”

Firsts Order Air Position Superiors Opening Fighter Opponents Aviation Combat Hunters Prey Stalking Unnoticed

Book:The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“Today it is even more important to dominate the . . . highly sophisticated weapon systems, perhaps even more important than being a good pilot; to make the best use of this system.”

Important Use Today Weapons Aviation Combat Pilots Sophisticated

Author:Adolf Galland

“An excellent weapon and luck had been on my side. To be successful, the best fighter pilot needs both.”

Needs Sides Successful Weapons Luck Fighter Excellent Being Successful Aviation Combat Pilots Fighter Pilot

Book:The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“It is true to say that the first kill can influence the whole future career of a fighter pilot. Many to whom the first victory over the opponent has been long denied either by unfortunate circumstances or by bad luck can suffer from frustration or develop complexes they may never rid themselves of again.”

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“As a fighter pilot I know from my own experiences how decisive surprise and luck can be for success, which in the long run comes only to the one who combines daring with cool thinking.”

Thinking Knows Long Running My Own Luck Surprise Fighter Aviation Combat Pilots Daring Long Runs Fighter Pilot

Author:Adolf Galland

About the Author

Born: March 19, 1912
Died: February 9, 1996
Known for: Author
Quotes: 29

Books & Sources

The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945Related source material

The First and the Last: The Rise and Fall of the German Fighter Forces, 1938-1954Related source material

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