World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
15 Jun 2011 11:43:22 AM

Adolf Galland was withdrawn from flying duties, and bumped heads with Hermnn Goering head of the Luftwaffe.
The Luftwaffe High Command refused to listen to Gallands reports about the Allied buildup of bombers and fighters for the bombing campaign over Germany.

FIGHTERS, FIGHTERS, FIGHTERS:

Galland believed the need for the buildup of fighters to counter the Allied bombing he knew was coming. His continued arguments with Goering grew, until he was removed from his post in the fall of 1944.
Return to fly combat as the (CO)Commanding Officer, of JV44 made up of veteran pilots flying the new Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.

SUGGESTED READING:

The First and the Last
By Adolf Galland
Paperback

2.  Bill says:
5 Jul 2011 11:45:21 AM

MYSTERY AUTOMOBILE:

Vehicle could be a late 1930s French Delage, touring car the basic body style and model, was still being built in post war France, as the 1946 Model Delage D-6.

The vehicle profile of the 1939 Model 135 MS Cabriolet Chapron has the same body lines, but I'm guessing here. The last Delage cars
were built in 1953, The company went out of business.
Today restored Delage automobiles can sell from 25,000 to over 30,000 EUR. or more. If anyone has more information, post it here at ww2db.

3.  Bill says:
5 Jul 2011 12:20:33 PM

CARJACKING 101: WORLD WAR II STYLE

During World War II,the Germans appropriated vehicles from the occupied countries from light and heavy trucks, private and public automobiles to just about anything with wheels.
It later became a nightmare maintaining the vehicles with enough spare parts, many were
side-lined to keep the others running autos were used as staff and liaison vehicles.

4.  Bill says:
8 Jan 2015 04:12:45 PM

WALK WITH A SWAGGER: ITALY 1942

In above file photo Major General Adolf Galland seems to walk with a certain swagger, giving a flow of personal confidence, to the troops. Galland arrived in Sicily to review operations against the British, the officer on his left is Geschwaderkommandore JG/3 Udet, Major later Oberst (Colonel) Guenther Lutzow.

UNIFORM OF THE DAY:

Both officers are wearing Luftwaffe blue-gray peaked service caps. Insignia on caps is the Luftwaffe eagle holding the swastika with cockade in the national colors with oakleaf and stylized silver wings.
Rank is worn on shoulders along with flying eagle insignia above right breast pocket of Galland's tropical shirt he also wares the loose fitting tropical trousers w/belt and large pocket on left side for maps. Looks like Galland is wearing light leather gloves, both of these officers could be wearing the short ankle boots, or low-quarters (shoes)

ACE FIGHTER PILOTS:

Decoration around Galland's neck could be his Iron Cross 1st or 2nd Class. Galland became the youngest General in the Luftwaffe and later became inspector of day fighters. Galland was also awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
w/Oak-Leaves, Swords and Diamonds...

LAST COMMAND:

Galland set up an all jet fighter squadron flying
the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter Jagdverband
JV 44 made up of top aces he survived WWII with 104 victories taken POW after wars end 1945 and later released in 1947 returned to Germany, became a successful businessman/pilot and died February 9, 1996

Oberst (Colonel) Gunther Lutzow later joined Galland's JV 44 flying the new Me 262, on April 24,1945 he was listed as missing in action last seen intercepting USAAF B-26 bombers his body and aircraft were never found. Oberst Gunther Lutzow was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak-Leaves & Swords...