 Generalleutnant
Adolf Galland
Already an inspirational fighter
leader by the time of World War II, Adolf Galland was appointed
Kommandeur of III./JG26 in June 1940, and Kommodore of JG26
on 22 August 1940. He led the 'Abbeville Boys' in combat against
the very best of the RAF including Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford-Tuck,
Sailor Malan and Johnnie Johnson. In 1941, at the age of only
29, he was promoted to Inspector General of the Fighter Arm,
a position he held until 1944. He became the youngest General
in the German High Command, and was also given responsibility
for the Night Fighter Arm.
As the Luftwaffe were gradually overwhelmed
in 1944, his open disagreement with Goering's tactics led
to his dismissal. In early 1945 he reverted to combat flying,
forming the famous JV44 Wing, to become the only General in
history to lead a squadron into battle. With 104 victories,
all in the West, he received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves,
Swords and Diamonds.
 Oberst
Johannes Naumann
Johannes Naumann flew with III./JG26
in all the early campaigns of the war, including the Battle
of Britain. He led 6./JG26 on the Channel Front and later 7./JG26.
In March 1944 he was promoted Kommodore of II./JG26. Later,
in August, he became Kommandeur of II./JG6, and joined JG7 in
April 1945. Johannes Naumann flew 450 combat operations, achieved
45 victories, all in the West, and was awarded the Knight's
Cross in 1944. |
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 Major
Gerhard Schöpfel
At the outbreak of war Gerhard Schöpfel
was Staffelkapitän of 9./JG26. In August 1940 he was
promoted Kommandeur of III./JG26, and was one of the Luftwaffe's
most successful Aces during the great air battles of that
year. He succeeded Adolf Galland as Kommodore of JG26, and
was later Kommodore of JG4, and JG6 for the last few months
of the war. He flew over 700 combat missions, achieving 40
victories - all in the West, and was awarded the Knight's
Cross.
 Hauptmann
Otto Stammberger
'Stotto' Stammberger joined the Luftwaffe
at the outbreak of war, joining 9./JG26. In February 1942
he took part in the air cover for the Channel Dash, and later
in the battles over the Dieppe landings. In February 1943
he was promoted Staffelkapitän of 4./JG26, before being
shot down twice, and seriously injured. Returning to flying
months later he became Adjutant of I./JG26. 'Stotto' flew
112 combat operations and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and
2nd Class.
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