Adolf Galland Quotes.
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.
The battle is tough but if you reach where you want to go, then at least in some sense it is worth it.
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.
The German Luftwaffe always fought without any reserves. This is also the reason why we have pilots with extremely high numbers of victories.
The throttles could only move very, very slowly, always watching the temperature, always watching. And even in throttling back, you could bust it, even being very careful.
It’s unbelievable what one squadron of twelve aircraft did to tip the balance.
When I was fired from my post as General of the Fighter Arm, I was to give proof that this jet was a superior fighter. And that’s when we did it. I think we did it.
Only in the spirit of attack, born in a brave heart, will bring success to any fighter aircraft, no matter how highly developed it may be.
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.
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.
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.
I had to inspect all fighter units in Russia, Africa, Sicily, France, and Norway. I had to be everywhere.
“He who wants to protect everything, protects nothing,” is one of the fundamental rules of defense.
Nine g’s is good, if the pilot can stand it. We couldn’t stand it. Not in the airplanes of World War II.
An excellent weapon and luck had been on my side. To be successful, the best fighter pilot needs both.
And most of these pilots were lost during the first five flights.
I could not claim them because I was not supposed to be flying in combat.
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.
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.
Superior technical achievements – used correctly both strategically and tactically – can beat any quantity numerically many times stronger yet technically inferior.
