Men of JG 26 commanded by Adolf Galland enjoy a bit of horseplay before scrambling their Bf 109 Es

Formed in May 1939, Jagdgeschwader 26 spent the "Phoney War" period guarding Germany's western borders following the invasion of Poland. In May and June 1940 it served in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France and from July 1940 it operated over England in the Battle of Britain under the command of Adolf Galland, future General der Jagdflieger. JG 26 remained in France and Belgium fighting against the RAF Fighter Command Circus offensive in 1941 and 1942, with considerable tactical success. In 1943 it faced the USAAF Eighth Air Force, and along with the rest of the Luftwaffe fighter force, was worn down over Western Europe combating the Combined Bomber Offensive in Defense of the Reich. In 1944, JG 26 resisted the Normandy landings and served as a tactical unit during Operation Market Garden and Ardennes Offensive. The squadron continued to fight up to the unconditional surrender of Wehrmacht forces in Western Europe on May 8th 1945.

Galland is visible at 0:37 with his trademark cigar climbing into his aircraft with his personal "Mickey Mouse" insignia. These were carried over from his first combat experience as Staffelkapitän of 3. Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 with the Condor Legion in Spain flying Heinkel He 51 biplanes. Galland flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. By the end of 1940, his tally of victories had reached 57. He remained in France the following year seeing action against the RAF and by November 1941, his tally had increased to 96, and he had earned the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. In November 1941, Werner Mölders, who commanded the German Fighter Force as the General der Jagdflieger, was killed while a passenger in a flying accident and Galland succeeded him, staying in the position until January 1945.

As General der Jagdflieger, Galland was forbidden to fly combat missions, however in January 1945 he was relieved of his duties and returned to operational flying and was permitted to form the jet fighter unit Jagdverband 44. He flew missions over Germany until the end of the war in May. He scored his hundredth victory on April 21st 1945, being the last over over 100 Luftwaffe pilots to reach that mark during WWII, and would claim four more enemy aircraft destroyed by the end of the conflict.

After the war, Galland was employed by Argentina's Government and acted as a consultant to the Argentine Air Force. Later, he returned to Germany and managed his own business. Galland also became friends with many former enemies, such as RAF aces Robert Stanford Tuck and Douglas Bader and passed away on February 9th 1996 aged 83.

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