“Flying is pure passion and desire, which fill a lifetime.”

“He who wants to protect everything, protects nothing,” is one of the fundamental rules of defense.

During the Battle of Britain the question “fighter or fighter-bomber?” had been decided once and for all

I had to inspect all fighter units in Russia, Africa, Sicily, France, and Norway. I had to be everywhere.

When I was fired from my post as General of the Fighter Arm

An excellent weapon and luck had been on my side.

Later when asked what it felt like, I said, “It felt as though angels were pushing”.

If we could have had in ’44, ah, let’s say three hundred operational

And that’s when we did it. I think we did it.

Only in the spirit of attack, born in a brave heart,

Attack even from a position of inferiority, to disrupt the enemy’s plans.

If we would have had the 262 at our disposal – even with all the delays

As interceptors. And out of this fifty, there were never more than 25 operational. So we had only a very, very few.

As a fighter pilot I know from my own experiences how decisive surprise and luck can be for success

The fighter in the opening of a dogfight must detect the opponent as early as possible in order to attain a superior position for the attack.

Perhaps even more important than being a good pilot; to make the best use of this system.

Of course, the outcome of the war would not have been changed.