The First and The Last

The First and The Last is a memoir by Adolf Galland, who served as a fighter pilot and later as General of Fighters for Nazi Germany during World War II. The book covers Galland's military career from his early days as a pilot through his time commanding Germany's fighter forces. The narrative presents a firsthand account of aerial combat tactics, strategic decisions, and the internal workings of the Luftwaffe during the war. Galland details the technological developments in aircraft, the challenges of leadership, and the gradual decline of German air power as the conflict progressed. Galland provides perspective on key military figures and decisions that shaped the air war in Europe, including his interactions with Hermann Göring and Adolf Hitler. He recounts major operations and battles from the viewpoint of both a combat pilot and a high-ranking commander. The memoir stands as a military history that examines the role of air power in World War II while raising questions about the relationship between military leadership and political authority. Through Galland's experiences, readers gain insight into the complexities of command during wartime.

Readers value Galland's firsthand account of the Luftwaffe from a senior commander's perspective. Many note his balanced and honest assessment of both German and Allied operations, with minimal bias despite his role. The technical details about aircraft, tactics, and pilot experiences resonate with aviation enthusiasts. Likes: - Clear explanations of strategic decisions and command dynamics - Personal stories about other Luftwaffe pilots - Analysis of why Germany lost air superiority - Respectful tone toward Allied forces Dislikes: - Translation quality in some editions - Limited coverage of early war years - Some readers find the writing dry and technical - Questions about potential omissions regarding Nazi leadership Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) "Offers unique insights into both tactical and strategic air warfare" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on administrative battles with Göring" - Amazon reviewer "Best memoir from a German fighter pilot perspective" - LibraryThing review

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✈️ Adolf Galland flew over 700 combat missions during WWII and achieved 104 aerial victories, making him one of the most successful fighter pilots in history 📚 The book was first published in German in 1953 under the title "Die Ersten und die Letzten" and became an immediate bestseller in both Germany and Allied nations 🎖️ After the war, Galland worked as a consultant for the Argentine Air Force and later helped develop several aircraft for the nascent Argentine aviation industry ⚔️ The book provides unique insights into the gradual decline of the Luftwaffe from the perspective of one of its top commanders, including critical analysis of strategic mistakes made by Nazi leadership 🤝 Despite being on opposing sides during WWII, Galland maintained lifelong friendships with several Allied pilots, including RAF ace Douglas Bader and USAAF general Hub Zemke