Fiat BR.20 Cicogna - Spanish Civil War

[megan]

Eric "Winkle" Brown says he shot down two of these aircraft during the Spanish Civil War.

During June 1937, Italy deployed six of its newly delivered BR.20 bombers to Tablada, outside Seville, Spain, for use by the Aviazione Legionaria as a part of its contribution in support of Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces. During July 1938, a further seven aircraft were dispatched to Spain.

When flown at an operational altitude of 13,000 ft, the BR.20s were fast enough to generally avoid interception by Republican-aligned aircraft such as the Polikarpov I-15 and Polikarpov I-16 fighters were unable to challenge the BR.20.

Nine aircraft survived the campaign. Does anyone have any information re the dates and circumstances of the four lost? Also info on Eric's service in Spain, dates, squadron, aircraft flown.

[The Flying Stool]

Are you sure it was Eric Winkle Brown? He wasn't born until 1920 so would have only been 17-18 at this point. His autobiography (Wings in My Sleeve) states he was a student in Germany at this point and hadn't really started flying until 1940 when he joined the Royal Navy.

His Wikipedia can be found here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Brown_(pilot)

[Noyade]

According to author Gerald Howson - there was only one B.R.20 lost as a "battle casualty" - on 25 July 1938 due to anti-aircraft fire.
One was destroyed in a collision on Tudela Aerodrome.
He mentions 10 still in service at the end of the Civil War.

[treadigraph]

Have you see this Megan?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theorkneynews.scot/2023/08/06/book-review-winkle-the-extraordinary-life-of-britains-greatest-pilot/amp/

[Brewster Buffalo]

In an interview, reported in the Nottingham Journal in December 1945, following his landing a Vampire on HMS Ocean it says Brown began a life of adventure when, at 16. he went to Spain to fight with the International Brigade. was only there six weeks." he told a reporter "but saw a bit of action."
Born 1920 so that's 1936 (or 1935?)

Another article here
The Herald - Eric Winkle Brown (https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/23580354.secret-life-eric-winkle-brown-war-heros-extraordinary-story/)

[Load Toad]

Are you sure it was Eric Winkle Brown? He wasn't born until 1920 so would have only been 17-18 at this point. His autobiography (Wings in My Sleeve) states he was a student in Germany at this point and hadn't really started flying until 1940 when he joined the Royal Navy.

His Wikipedia can be found here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Brown_(pilot)

It's worth reading the below which contains some surprising (shocking) information. Note Wings on My Sleeve was ghostwritten and contained some propaganda. Also some aspects Of Eric Brown's life were withheld until after he died & maybe some claims could be attributed to 'misremembering'.

BOOK review (https://theorkneynews.scot/2023/08/06/book-review-winkle-the-extraordinary-life-of-britains-greatest-pilot/)

[Load Toad]

The Book:

Winkle by Paul Beaver.

Winkle (https://www.waterstones.com/book/winkle/paul-beaver/9780718186708)

[Quemerford]

It's worth reading the below which contains some surprising (shocking) information. Note Wings on My Sleeve was ghostwritten and contained some propaganda. Also some aspects Of Eric Brown's life were withheld until after he died & maybe some claims could be attributed to 'misremembering'.

BOOK review (https://theorkneynews.scot/2023/08/06/book-review-winkle-the-extraordinary-life-of-britains-greatest-pilot/)

A very interesting read: thanks muchly!

[megan]

Have read Paul Weaver's book, which prompted my original question. The Spanish Civil War ran across the 17 July 1936 – 1 April 1939 period and given Browns age I fail to see how he could have participated. His alleged Spanish service was not some thing he ever talked about, when questioned on the subject by interviewers they said he became "uncomfortable". Why, if in indeed it was part of his life?

Pauls book includes a piece of misinformation, that being the USA never flew the Me 163, even as a glider. Quote from Brown,They did three attempts, and the tow rope broke every time. I got a message from them saying could I send the specification of our tow rope. We sent them the specification but whether they used it, I don't know. I doubt it, because it wouldn't have broken, but they admitted they'd never flown the 163The fact is they did fly the 163 as a glider, towed by a B-29, intentions were to make powered flights but disbonding of the wings precluded that. Nor did they have issues with the tow rope, on the first attempted take off the cable released from the B-29 because of a fault in the mechanism. That was the only time they had issue with the tow cable.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/940x745/me_163_0dcb95f76f5bcdffe02ed88ca1b213840d3c66fc.png