Ferdinand Galland
Infobox Military Person name=Wilhelm Ferdinand Galland born=birth date|1914|10|23|df=y died=dda|1943|8|17|1914|10|23|df=y placeofbirth=Bochum placeofdeath=west of Maastricht in the Netherlands caption= nickname=Wutz allegiance=flagicon|Nazi&#8230;
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Infobox Military Person

name=Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland

born=birth date|1914|10|23|df=y

died=dda|1943|8|17|1914|10|23|df=y

placeofbirth=Bochum

placeofdeath=west of Maastricht in the Netherlands

caption=

nickname=Wutz

allegiance=flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany

serviceyears=1935 – 1943

rank=Major

branch= Luftwaffe

commands=II./JG 26 "Schlageter"

unit=JG 26

battles=World War II

awards=Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

relations=Adolf Galland

laterwork=

Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland (born 23 October 1914 in Bochum – killed in action 17 August 1943) was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He is credited with 55 aerial victories in achieved in 186 combat missions. All his victories were claimed over the Western Front and included seven four-engine bombers and 37 Supermarine Spitfires.

Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland was one of four Galland brothers to serve in the Luftwaffe. The oldest brother Fritz Galland served in a fighter and reconnaissance unit and survived the war. His older brother, Lt. Gen. Adolf Galland was one the most renowned German fighter pilots and leader of German fighter operations and also survived the war. His youngest brother Paul Galland, a flying ace with 17 victories, served with JG 26 and was killed in action on 31 October 1942.

Galland was killed in action on 17 August 1943 during the Second Raid on Schweinfurt. II./JG 26 took off on a bomber incept mission and engaged the B-17 bomber formation but were bounced by the escorting P-47 fighters from the 56th Fighter Group, USAAF. It is assumed that Galland was shot down by the American ace Walker "Bud" Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group, USAAF.

Awards

* Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (30 May 1942)

* German Cross in Gold (28 January 1943)

* Iron Cross 2. and 1. class

* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (18 May 1943)

References