In this pilot profile series, we’ll be looking at each of the aces released for Blood Red Skies, their exploits and their abilities in your games. Continuing with German ace Adolf Joseph Ferdinand Galland.
- 705 combat missions on the Western Front.
- 104 aerial victories.
- Survived being shot down 4 times.
- 1937 During the Spanish Civil War he flew ground attack missions as part of the Condor Legion.
- 1938 Galland served as an instructor for ground-attack units and wrote doctrinal and technical manuals about his experiences as a ground-attack pilot for the Air Ministry.
- September 1939 During the German invasion of Poland, Hauptmann Galland flew ground attack missions with 4 Staffel, II./Lehrgeschwader 2. Equipped with the Henschel Hs 123, nicknamed the “biplane Stuka”.
In early 1940, Galland became a fighter pilot flying a Messerschmitt Bf 109e, claiming his first aerial victories in Belgium (two RAF Hurricanes from 87 Squadron, escorting Bristol Blenheim bombers). During the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, he would down a total of 57 aircraft.
He increased this to 96 by the end of 1941, earning the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.
In November 1941, Galland succeeded Werner Mölders (killed in a flying accident) as he commanded the German Fighter Force as the General der Jagdflieger.
February 1942, Galland planned and commanded the Luftwaffe’s air cover for the Kriegsmarine (German navy) in Operation Cerberus (A squadron of both of the Scharnhorst-class battleships, the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen and escorts, ran a British blockade from Brest in Brittany). This operation was a major success, earning him the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.
The constant and huge demands placed on the German airforce put huge pressure on the senior pilots and lead to a confrontation between them and Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring leading to Galland’s house arrest in early 1945.
As the end of the war neared, Galland was released to form a jet fighter unit, Jagdverband 44. JV44 had a mixed unit of 50 pilots and 25 aircraft (Me 262, Fw 190D) achieving a 4-to-1 kill ratio in the short time it was operational in the Defense of the Reich.
German ACE Adolf Galland in Blood Red Skies
Galland brings experience and natural ability to Blood Red Skies. Mounted in his Bf109e he’ll use tactics such as Snap Shot, Sixth Sense, Great Dive and Great Climb to outperform your opponents!
Me109e painted by Darek Wyrozebski
In the attack, Galland brings his special abilities into play targetting opponents from the side. Use Great Dive to get into a killing position early then use Snap Shot whilst deflection shooting so that the enemy must use their agility rather than speed to dodge.
In defence, Galland has a Sixth Sence card allowing him to (after a successful pilot test) avoid becoming disadvantaged when being tailed, plus his Great Climb card can interfere with your opponent’s ability to climb for advantage in the first place. making him the ideal ‘lone’ wolf.
By adding Adolf Galland to your Luftwaffe force you’ll a distinct advantage for your squadron over enemy terrain.
German ACE Adolf Galland comes in an ACE pack with:
- 1x Grey injection moulded plastic Bf109e
- 1x Advantage Flying Base
- 1x Aircraft card
- 1x Adolf ‘Dolfo’ Galland Ace card
- 2x Ace Skill cards
- 2x Trait cards
- 1x National emblem sticker sheet.
- 1x Double-sided Pilot Skill discs & Zoom chit
Blood Red Skies German Adlertag force
Start your aerial campaign with the Blood Red Skies German Adlertag (Eagle Day) force. This offer gives you the German ACE Adolf Galland, 1 squadron of 6 Bf109e fighters (with all the counters, advantage flying bases, models and cards needed to field them) plus 10 dice!
Tom Mecredy
Dan Hewitson
