Description
Adolf “Dolfo” Joseph Ferdinand Galland (19 March 1912 – 9 February 1996) was a World War II German fighter pilot and commander of Germany’s fighter force (General der Jagdflieger) from 1941 to 1945. Galland joined the Luftwaffe in 1933, and despite suffering injuries, including a damaged eye, in two crashes, he continued his military career. In 1937 he was one of 20,000 German military personnel to see action in the Condor Legion, providing Galland with valuable combat experience. Galland transferred to a fighter unit in 1940 and quickly reached Ace status during the Battle of France. In November 1941, with his score standing at 94 Galland became General der Jagdflieger at the age of 29. Galland continued to test fly many types of German aircraft, occasionally flying combat missions when he could. In January 1945, Galland, along with other Luftwaffe officers, was sent back to operational units after questioning the competence of Hermann Göring. Galland surrendered to United States Army forces in May 1945. He claimed a total of 104 victories in 705 missions and was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) with oak leaves, swords and diamonds, one of only 27 recipients of the highest German military decoration. His victory claims were all against the Western Allies.
Fighter General, written by Raymond F. Toliver and Trevor J. Constable, is a substantial 355-page illustrated biography covering Galland’s entire aviation career, from his early flying and combat service through his rise to command of the Luftwaffe fighter arm, his conflicts with senior Luftwaffe leadership, and his return to combat flying at the end of the war. The book features numerous wartime photographs, including images from Galland’s own private collection, together with documentary material, personal photographs, a glossary, appendix, and index. Contemporary reviews noted that the biography also drew upon previously classified records, making it far more than simply a pictorial history and giving the volume substantial value as a detailed reference work on Galland and the Luftwaffe fighter arm.
Made as a 1990 hardcover volume with its original dust jacket, this book is in EXCELLENT used condition! The binding is tight and sound, with NO loose pages, tears, stains, writing, or other notable damage. The original dust jacket is also present and remains in VERY NICE condition with NO tears. Unlike most of these that feature a separately signed bookplate that is simply “pasted” inside…Adolf Galland has personally signed the bound page directly beneath his photograph; while author Raymond F. Toliver has separately signed another bound page within the book. These are NOT signatures applied to a loose or separately inserted bookplate, but original autographs written directly within the book itself. All printing, photographs, pages, and signatures remain clean and fully legible. A VERY NICE directly signed example of one of the best-known biographies of Adolf Galland and an excellent addition to any advanced Luftwaffe, fighter ace, or WW2 autograph collection!
