Hauptmann Godwin von Brumowski

TomVrille · 19 May 2015, 07:18 PM

I have been reading a very entertaining volume published by Cross & Cockade International, carrying the full title of: Hauptmann Godwin von Brumowski - Austria -Hungary's Ace of Aces. The book was written and illustrated by Ivan Berryman, with considerable support from Mr. Hubertus V. Sulkowski, Captain Brumowski's grandson. Mr. Berryman is best known as an artist, and this doubtless accounts for the high quality of the numerous illustrations. Mr. Sulkowski provided a good deal of family history information, and numerous photographs which, to my knowledge, have not previously been published.

One aspect of the illustrations deserves special mention. In order to get a feel for the terrain over which most of Brumowski's engagements took place, a virtual tour from the air was made using Google Maps 3D aerial imaging. While there are many differences between today's landscapes and those of 100 years ago, the basic geographical features can still be recognized. This allows the inclusion of some detailed background illustrations that are very effective. I hope some of today's illustrators will offer their opinions on the value of this method!

All in all, I found this book to be easy reading, and well enough researched to be a valuable historical effort. I do not claim any critical expertise, but I do know what I like! This book is recommended.

Germanophile-1 · 20 May 2015, 06:24 AM

The following review appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of Over the Front, quarterly journal of The League of World War I Aviation Historians:

Hauptmann Godwin von Brumowski - Austria-Hungary’s Ace of Aces by Ivan Berryman, The First World War Aviation Historical Society, Leicester (UK), 60 pp., soft cover, illustrated with black & white and color images, also includes glossary, appendix; ISBN 978-9555734-5-3; £15 plus postage and handling; publisher’s website: www.crossandcockade.com

With 35 confirmed (and eight unconfirmed) aerial victories to his credit, Godwin Brumowski was the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s highest-scoring World War I fighter ace. As author Ivan Berryman writes in this new account, however, Brumowski’s laurels were attained over the Italian Front, which was “less well-known than France and Flanders … a part of history that has been left in the shadows like an untended corner of a garden where nobody goes.”

Prior to Berryman’s volume, the best English-language account of Godwin Brumowski seen by this reviewer was in the late Dr. Martin O’Connor’s 1984 book Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1914-1918. Clearly, it was time for a new look at the Dual Monarchy’s top fighter pilot. This view of Brumowski's career was inspired by the ace’s grandson, Hubertus V. Sulkowski. He was fortunate in finding an enthusiastic collaborator in aviation artist Ivan Berryman, who wrote the text and created 17 new paintings (reproduced in color) relating to the ace’s aerial exploits. Also new to this book are rarely-seen family photos and other items provided by Brumowski descendants.

Comparing Godwin Brumowski with Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen is understandable: both were cadets from military families and, after being commissioned, they served with ground forces and then flew first in two-seaters. Both men later took to the air in all-red fighter aircraft to become their nations’ leading aces, as well as commanders. Distinctively, after being awarded his country’s Knight’s Cross with War Decoration and Swords of the Order of Leopold, the Austrian flier was elevated to the non-hereditary aristocratic title of Godwin Ritter von Brumowski. That honor is rarely mentioned in other accounts.

Hauptmann Godwin von Brumowski - Austria-Hungary’s Ace of Aces is a welcome reminder of this significant fighter pilot. It is recommended highly.

-- Peter Kilduff

Barrett · 25 May 2015, 12:33 PM

Marty O'Connor would be first in line to get a copy! He was totally devoted to his subject, and thank goodness. Absent his seminal work, we would not know nearly as much.