The First and the Last

Adolf Galland's "The First and the Last" stands as one of the most significant firsthand accounts of air combat during World War II, offering readers an unprecedented view into the German Luftwaffe from the perspective of one of its most decorated fighter pilots. Published in 1954, this memoir chronicles Galland's experiences from the Spanish Civil War through the final days of Nazi Germany, providing detailed insights into aerial warfare, military strategy, and the internal politics of Hitler's air force.

Galland's credentials as a military aviator are beyond dispute. He flew over 700 combat missions, claimed 104 aerial victories, and rose to become General der Jagdflieger, or General of the Fighter Arm, at the remarkably young age of 30. This exceptional career trajectory grants his account a level of authority and perspective that few other wartime memoirs can match. His position gave him direct access to high-level strategic discussions and allowed him to observe the decision-making processes that shaped German air operations throughout the war.

The narrative begins with Galland's early experiences as a pilot during the Spanish Civil War, where he honed his skills flying ground-attack missions for the Condor Legion. These formative chapters establish the technical foundation that makes the later sections so valuable, as Galland explains the evolution of fighter tactics and the development of the Luftwaffe's operational doctrine. His descriptions of the Battle of Britain provide particularly compelling reading, offering the German perspective on one of the war's most famous aerial campaigns.

What distinguishes this memoir from other wartime accounts is Galland's willingness to critique the strategic decisions made by his superiors, including Hermann Göring and Hitler himself. He documents the often contentious relationship between the fighter pilots and Göring, detailing how the Reichsmarschall's ego and detachment from battlefield realities led to increasingly poor tactical decisions. These passages reveal the dysfunction within the Nazi command structure and help explain why Germany's initial air superiority gradually eroded despite the skill of its pilots.

Galland's technical knowledge shines throughout the book, particularly in his discussions of aircraft performance and the development of jet fighter technology. His involvement with the Messerschmitt Me 262, the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft, receives considerable attention. He advocates passionately for the jet's potential as a fighter interceptor while lamenting Hitler's insistence on converting it to a bomber role, a decision that delayed its deployment and reduced its effectiveness. These sections provide valuable historical documentation of one of aviation's most significant technological advances.

The book's strength lies in its balanced approach to difficult subject matter. Galland writes as a professional military officer reflecting on his experiences, maintaining focus on tactical and operational matters rather than engaging extensively with the moral dimensions of serving the Nazi regime. While some readers may find this approach problematic, it allows the book to serve as a valuable primary source for understanding the Luftwaffe's operations and the mindset of its officer corps. The narrative remains grounded in military history rather than attempting to justify or condemn the broader context of the war.

The prose, translated from German, reads clearly and directly, reflecting Galland's straightforward personality and military background. He avoids excessive dramatization, instead presenting events with the matter-of-fact tone of an experienced officer providing a professional assessment. This style makes the book accessible to general readers while maintaining enough technical detail to satisfy aviation enthusiasts and military historians.

The final chapters, covering the desperate last months of the war, prove particularly poignant as Galland describes the overwhelming Allied air superiority and the hopeless situation facing German forces. His creation of the elite JV 44 fighter unit, flying Me 262 jets in a final attempt to challenge Allied bombers, serves as a testament to professional dedication even in the face of inevitable defeat. These passages capture the twilight of the Luftwaffe with clarity and restraint.

"The First and the Last" remains an essential text for anyone seeking to understand World War II aerial combat from the German perspective. While readers must approach it with appropriate historical context and awareness of its limitations as a single viewpoint, the book's value as a primary source and its detailed technical information make it indispensable for serious students of aviation history and military strategy. Galland's unique position and his willingness to address controversial decisions frankly ensure that this memoir continues to inform and educate more than seven decades after its initial publication.