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Most Memorable Day
by Robert Taylor
| Adolf Galland and his wingman Bruno Hegenauer break through the fighter escort of No. 303 Squadron's Spitfires to attack Blenheim bombers of No. 21 Squadron over northern France, 21 June 1941. In two missions that day Galland claimed two Blenheims and one Spitfire, survived a forced crash-landing, and later a parachute escape from his blazing Me109. That evening he learned he was to become the first recipient of the Knights Cross with oak leaves and swords - Germany's highest award for heroism. Later, Galland would describe this as his most memorable day. |
| Overall size: 25" x 33" | Available in the following editions |
| 1000 | Ltd. ed. | Signed by Adolf Galland - Johannes Naumann - Gerhard Schopfel - Otto Stamberger. - very low inventory | $695 |
| The Signatories |
Gen. Adolf Galland As the Luftwaffe were gradually overwhelmed in 1944, open disagreement with Göring's tactics (he always took the side of his fighter pilots) led to his dismissal, and in January1945 he was relieved of his duties. He returned to combat flying, forming the famous JV-44 wiing to become the only General in history to lead a squadron into battle. With |
| Oberst Johannes Naumann Johannes Naumann was a young Leutnant pilot with III./JG-26 at the beginning of the war and flew during all the campaigns of 1939 and 1940, including the Battle of Britain. He led 6./JG-26 on the Channel front and later 7./JG-26. In March 1944 he was promoted to Kommodore of II./JG-26. Later, in August, he became Kommandeur of II./JG-26 and joined JG-7 in April 1945. Naumann flew 450 combat missions, achieved 45 victories, all in the west, and was awarded the Knight's Cross in 1944. |
| Maj. Gerhard Schöpfel Gerhard Schöpfel joined JG-26 straight from pilot school in 1938, and by the outbreak of war he was Staffelkapitan of 9./JG-26. Becoming Kommandeur of III./JG-26 in August 1940, he was one of the Luftwaffe's most successful Aces during the great air battles of that year. He succeeded Adolf Galland as Kommodore of JG-26 until January 1943. He was later Kommodore of JG-4, and JG-6 for the last months of the war. He flew over 700 combat missions, achieving 40 victories, and was awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940. |
| Haupt. Otto Stammberger 'Stotto' Stammberger joined the Luftwaffe at the commencement of World War II, and after pilot training joined 9./JG-26 in France. In 1942 he took part in the air cover for the Channel Dash, and later in the air battles over the Dieppe landings. In February 1943 'Stotto' was promoted Staffelkapitan of 4./JG-26, before being shot down twice, and then seriously injured in a crash. Returning to flying after months in Hospital, he became Adjutant of I./JG-26. Stammbereger flew 112 combat missions and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st. and 2nd. Class. |
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