Adolf “Dolfo” Galland was born on 19 March 1912 at
Westerholt, Westphalia. At the age of 17 he started flying gliders. He
began flying for Lufthansa after graduating from the German Commercial
Air Transport School at Brunswick. This was at a time when the German Air
Arm was created, following Hitler's rise to power, and students were sent
clandestinely to the Soviet Union and Italy. In February 1934, he joined
the Luftwaffe, an accomplished pilot and instructor, at the Fighter Pilot
School at Munich-Schleissheim. By April 1935 he was a fighter pilot with
Jagdgeschwader 2 “Richtofen”. In 1937, he volunteered for service with
the Condor Legion in Spain. Galland was put in command of 3 Staffel of
J/88, equipped with the Heinkel He-51 biplanes, which were used in the
ground attack and support role. He distinguished himself, especially on
the Asturias, Teruel and Ebro fronts, completing 280 combat sorties before
being relieved by Werner Mölders in mid-1938. He had met Mölders in the
hotel "Cristina" where they were billeted, and they were to become firm
friends. Galland’s many original contributions to ground support techniques
brought him to the attention of the Luftwaffe High Command. However, his
reward for the innovative work in Spain was flying a desk in the Air Ministry
working out directives for the organisation of close support units and
the training of fighter pilots in direct support operations. When World
War 2 broke out Oberleutnant Galland was a Staffelkapitän of 4.(S)/LG 2
equipped with the Henschel Hs 123, a biplane Stuka. He took part in the
invasion of Poland flying 50 ground attack missions. Galland was awarded
the Iron Cross, Second Class for his efforts. Galland was posted away to
JG 27 at Krefeld, arriving there on 15 February 1940. He was assigned to
the Geschwaderstab and assumed the role of Geschwader Adjutant. On 12 May,
west of Liege, Belgium, he scored his first aerial victory. Two more victories
followed that day. All three victims were RAF Hurricanes. By the end of
the French campaign he had accumulated 14 victories. On 6 June 1940, Hauptmann
Galland was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 26. Promoted Major on
18 July, Galland stayed with III./JG 26 through the Battle
of Britain.
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12.5.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 27 | 10 km W Lüttich | Hurricane I (L1970) of 87 Sqn RAF flown by F/O J A Campbell, killed |
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12.5.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 27 | 18 km S Lüttich | Hurricane I (L1632) of 87 Sqn RAF flown by Sgt F V Howell, baled out |
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12.5.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 27 | 7 km EEN Tirlemont | |
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16.5.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 27 | 5 km S Lille | |
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19.5.1940
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Potez 63 | Stab JG 27 | N Albert | |
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19.5.1940
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Potez 63 | Stab JG 27 | SW Hirson | |
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20.5.1940
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Potez 63 | Stab JG 27 | S Amiens | |
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29.5.1940
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Blenheim | Stab JG 27 | 15 km N Gravelines | |
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29.5.1940
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Blenheim | Stab JG 27 | 30 km NW Gravelines | |
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2.6.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 27 | W Dunkirk | |
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9.6.1940
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Curtiss Hawk 75 | Stab JG 27 | E Rotoy | |
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9.6.1940
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Morane MS 406 | Stab JG 27 | 13 km NW Meaux | |
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14.6.1940
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Blenheim | Stab III./JG 26 | 22km SE Vernon/Breval | |
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14.6.1940
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Battle | Stab III./JG 26 | 10km S Evreux | |
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24.7.1940
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Spitfire | Stab III./JG 26 | 30km N Margate | Spitfire I of 54 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O J L Allen (12.333 victories), killed in crash-landing |
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25.7.1940
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Spitfire | Stab III./JG 26 | Dover Harbour | Spitfire of 54 Sqn, RAF |
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28.7.1940
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Spitfire | Stab III./JG 26 | 10km NNE Dover | Spitfire I (L1035) of 64 Sqn RAF flown by Sub Lt (RN) F Dawson-Paul (8.25/0/1 victories), died of wounds |
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12.8.1940
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Hurricane | Stab III./JG 26 | NNW Margate | Hurricane of 501 Sqn, RAF |
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14.8.1940
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Hurricane | Stab III./JG 26 | SW Dover | |
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15.8.1940
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Spitfire | Stab III./JG 26 | 10km E Dover-Folkestone | Possibly Spitfire of 54 Sqn RAF flown by F/Lt A C Deere (19.833/4/7.5 victories), baled out |
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15.8.1940
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Spitfire | Stab III./JG 26 | 15km SE Folkestone | Spitfire of 64 Sqn, RAF |
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15.8.1940
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Spitfire | Stab III./JG 26 | 20km SE Dover | Spitfire of 64 Sqn, RAF |
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25.8.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Dungeness-Folkestone | |
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28.8.1940
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Defiant | Stab JG 26 | Faversham | Defiant of 264 Sqn, RAF |
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31.8.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 20km SE Cambridge | Spitfire of 19 Sqn, RAF |
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31.8.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Gravesend | |
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31.8.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Maidstone | |
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1.9.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | SE London | |
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3.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Chelmsford | Hurricane of 257 Sqn, RAF |
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6.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Tonbridge | Hurricane of 601 Sqn, RAF |
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11.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | NW Dungeness | Hurricane of 501 Sqn, RAF |
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14.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | SE London | Hurricane of 253 Sqn RAF |
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15.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Thames Estuary | Hurricane I (R 4087) NN-X of 310 Sqn RAF, flown by Sgt. Josef Hubacek |
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18.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Hurricane of 46 Sqn RAF | |
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18.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | W Rochester | Hurricane of 46 Sqn RAF |
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18.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | W Rochester | Hurricane of 46 Sqn RAF |
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20.9.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | S Hornchurch | Spitfire of 222 Sqn, RAF |
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21.9.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | W Ashford-Canterbury | Spitfire of 92 Sqn, RAF |
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23.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | N Rochester | Hurricane of 257 Sqn, RAF |
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23.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | N Rochester | |
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24.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Rochester | Possibly Hurricane (P3878) of 17 Sqn RAF flown by HAC Bird-Wilson (5.2/3/3 victories), baled out |
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30.9.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | S Guidford | Hurricane of 303 Sqn, RAF |
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8.10.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | S Eastchurch | Spitfire of 66 Sqn, RAF |
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11.10.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Dartford/Rochester | Hurricane of 253 Sqn, RAF |
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11.10.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | SE Chatham/Ashford | Spitfire of 421 Flt, RAF |
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15.10.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | S Rochester/Gillingham | |
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26.10.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Maidstone/S London | |
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30.10.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | E London | Spitfire of 222 Sqn, RAF |
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30.10.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | S Eastchurch/Maidstone | Spitfire of 41 Sqn, RAF |
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30.11.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Canterbury/Maidstone | Spitfire of 41 Sqn, RAF |
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1.11.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | W Ashford | |
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8.11.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 10km S Dover | |
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15.11.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Near Dover | Hurricane of 605 Sqn, RAF |
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17.11.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | W Harwich | Possibly Hurricane I (V7500) of 17 Sqn flown by F/Lt Count MB Czernin (17/3.5/4.833 victories), baled out |
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17.11.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | 20km E of “sunk” lightship | Hurricane of 257 Sqn, RAF |
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17.11.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | E Harwich | |
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27.11.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | E Kenley | Spitfire of 74 Sqn, RAF, unconfirmed |
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28.11.1940
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | Dartford | Hurricane of 249 Sqn, RAF |
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5.12.1940
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Dover-Dungeness | Spitfire of 64 Sqn, RAF |
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4.4.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Dover-Canterbury | Spitfire of 91 Sqn, RAF |
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15.4.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 30km W Dover | |
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15.4.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Dover-Margate | Spitfire of 266 Sqn, RAF |
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15.4.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | S England | Spitfire of 266 Sqn, RAF, unconfirmed |
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13.6.1941
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | 5km W Dover | Hurricane of 601 Sqn, RAF |
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13.6.1941
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | 10km NE Ashford | Hurricane of 601 Sqn, RAF |
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16.6.1941
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | W Boulogne | Hurricane of 258 Sqn, RAF |
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17.6.1941
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | 15km W St Omer | |
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17.6.1941
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | 15km W St Omer | |
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18.6.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 1km E Ardres | Spitfire of 145 Sqn, RAF |
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21.6.1941
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Blenheim | Stab JG 26 | Near Lumbres | Blenheim of 21 Sqn, RAF |
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21.6.1941
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Blenheim | Stab JG 26 | Merville | Blenheim of 21 Sqn, RAF, unconfirmed |
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21.6.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | N Etaples | Spitfire of 616 Sqn, RAF |
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2.7.1941
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Blenheim | Stab JG 26 | Merville | Blenheim of 226 Sqn RAF |
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23.7.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 40km NW Gravelines | |
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23.7.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Bruges | |
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23.7.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Bruges | |
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7.8.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Lumbres | |
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7.8.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 10km NW St Omer | |
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9.8.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | NW St Pol | Spitfire of 452 Sqn RAF |
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9.8.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | N Ardres | unconfirmed |
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12.8.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 20km W Vlissingen | Spitfire (P6793) of 19 Sqn RAF |
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12.8.1941
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Blenheim | Stab JG 26 | W Haamstede-Scheldt Estuary | Blenheim of 139 Sqn RAF flown by F/L GA Herbert, 3 crew killed |
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19.8.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Bergues | |
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19.8.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | NW St Omer | Spitfire of 111 Sqn RAF |
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19.8.1941
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Hurricane | Stab JG 26 | SE Gravelines | Hurricane of 71 Sqn RAF |
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4.9.1941
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Blenheim | Stab JG 26 | N St Omer | Blenheim of 18 Sqn, RAF |
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7.9.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 20km W Boulogne | Spitfire of 71 Sqn, RAF |
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20.9.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Bergues-Bourbourg | |
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20.9.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 6km NW Braye-Dunes | |
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21.9.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | SE Etaples | |
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21.9.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | S Dunkirk | Spitfire of 111 Sqn RAF |
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13.10.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | St Omer | |
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13.10.1941
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Blenheim | Stab JG 26 | Samer | Blenheim of 139 Sqn, RAF |
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21.10.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | W Samer | |
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21.10.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 6km W Hardelot | |
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21.10.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 15km W Boulogne | Spitfire of 611 Sqn RAF |
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27.10.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | S Dunkirk | Spitfire of 401 Sqn RAF flown by Sgt B Hodgkinson, POW |
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8.11.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | Near Montreuil | Spitfire of 315 Sqn, RAF |
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8.11.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | 10km S Hazebrouck | |
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18.11.1941
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Spitfire | Stab JG 26 | W Boulogne | Spitfire of 602 Sqn RAF |
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1944
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B-17 | Stab G.d.J. | unconfirmed ? | |
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1944
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B-17 | Stab G.d.J. | unconfirmed ? | |
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3.4.1945
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P-38 | JV 44 | ||
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5.4.1945
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B-24 | JV 44 | ||
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16.4.1945
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B-26 | JV 44 | with R4M rockets | |
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16.4.1945
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B-26 | JV 44 | with R4M rockets | |
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21.4.1945
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B-17 | JV 44 | ||
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26.4.1945
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B-26 | JV 44 | München-Reim | B-26 of 17 BG, USAAF |
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26.4.1945
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B-26 | JV 44 | München Reim | B-26 of 17 BG, USAAF |
Victories : 104
Awards : Ritterkreuz (1 August 1940)
Eichenlaub (25 September 1940)
Schwerter (21 June 1941)
Brillanten (28 January 1942)
Units : JG 27, JG 26, JV 44