First World War.com - Who's Who

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Who's Who: Godwin Brumowski
Updated - Sunday, 2 June, 2002

Godwin Brumowski (1889-1936) was Austria-Hungary's top-scoring fighter pilot of World War One.

Serving in the Austro-Hungary artillery when war was declared against Serbia on 28 July 1914, he later transferred to the air service in July 1915 following notable service on the Eastern Front. Having acted as observer to Otto Jindra he qualified as a pilot himself in July 1916.

Five months later Brumowski found himself operating on the Italian Front. He was an instant success, amassing five 'kills' within the space of just two months (thus qualifying as an ace), subsequently receiving the Gold Bravery Medal.

Brumowski's hero was aviation legend Manfred von Richthofen; he even painted his own aircraft red. He spent the early part of 1917 studying air tactics with Jasta 24 on the Western Front. This was followed by command of Flik 41K in March 1917, Austria-Hungary's first true fighter squadron. The following year, October 1918, brought Brumowski command of the Austro-Hungarian air force operating along the Isonzo.

By the war's close Brumowski was reckoned to have achieved 35 victories. He later became a farmer in Transylvania before establishing a flying school in Vienna. He was killed in a aircraft accident on 3 June 1936 in Schiphol in the Netherlands.

The USA suffered 57,476 fatal army casualties during the war.