The third highest scoring fighter pilot in history, Günther Rall is considered by many to have been the Luftwaffe’s most accomplished and bravest fighter ace. Flying the magnificnet Me109 fighter throughout the war Rall saw action on almost every Front from the Battle of Britain to the final Defence of the Reich. After achieving 250 victories on the Eastern Front, during which time he commanded the Luftwaffes’ most successful unit, JG-52, Rall was posted back to the Western front where he flew high altitude interceptions against the USAAF’s daylight raids in a specially equipped Me109G. During one dogfight he had his left thumb shot off the throttle when shot
down by one of the Zemke P-47s. In 621 combat missions he was shot down eight times, severely wounded three times and, but for long periods in hospital, he may have far exceeded his tally of 275 air victories. This jovial, well-like fighter pilot rejoined the new Luftwaffe after the war, ultimately becoming its Chief of Staff.