Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Dear all,

Just to share my first Edited Work, the biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, DFC, CdG - Brazilian's Greatest WW1 Ace.

The book was printed on a Commemorative Edition (not Commercially sold) and do have 352 pages, A-4 format, covering his early life, training in RFC, and his 68 combat missions (including his 7 aerial victories), plus Post-War period in the RAF, as a Flight Instructor and pilot in Ireland (1919-20).

Brazilian Air Force Honored posthumously this Great Airman and MAN, last 23rd October.

We shall remember them....

Most humbly yours

Adriano S. Baumgartner ("sprog" writer)

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Nice going Adriano

But technically should not the honor go to Pierre Closterman? Wasn't he at least born in Brazil? Since Fox-Rule actually was a bomber pilot it is good someone put a focus on many skilled such ones. The best known (to me) is of course the 'father' of Biggles....;)

No idea what actually made Fox-Rule a Brazilian and Closterman not...:)

This is said a little bit to try and tease you, since I would actually be interested to know!

Cheers
Stig

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Adriano,
Is there any way to get a copy of this book? I collect biographies of aces, and would like to add a copy to my collection. I expect to be back online this weekend.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Good morning to all.

STIG: Clostermann indeed was born in Curitiba (SSE of Brazil) to French parents. He had double citizenship and choose to fight and fly as a French, although he got his Pilot's License in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), where he worked as a Journalist in Aviation. He is (so far as I have researched), the sole WW2 Brazilian born "Ace"; although several other Brazilians in RAF Service obtained aerial victories (I am writing another book - some already 1,600 written pages in 7 volumes - covering the Brazilians that flew for the RAF in WW2 - and Anglo-Brazilians as well - born in England but that sailed from here).

In WW1 we did have only two aces and, yes, you are right, Captain Gordon Fox Rule, DFC, CdG* flew both the Airco DH 4 and DH9, on bombing and aerial reconaissance missions (escorting missions to other reconaissance aircraft as well).

The book do have scans of his 2 RFC/RAF Logbooks, which is unique. All have been complemented and cross-checked, this is why it is huge.

Have tried with some Editors in the UK and USA to have an English version printed commercially, but got no joy or interest so far.

Do let me say that ALL MY PART OF REVENUES (of an eventual Commercial Edition) will be DONATED to charity here, in Brazil. Do not want a single penny for myself, just to preserve History and Honor those Forgotten Heroes.

FRANK: I am sorry to inform that the small Edition of 1,200 books do have almost 99% its owners already named. You do know that very very few of them remains with the writer himself and from those, I do owe one sample to each person who helped me, institutions, Libraries, Associations abroad, etc...and of course, to some of my Family Members, including my small kid. IF, eventually we do manage to have a Commercial Edition, you do have my words that one sample is yours! The books do weights some 1,2 Kg with hard cover and Dust Jacket (and 352 pages in all). There are 378 documents and pictures, etc....a huge work of 2 consecutive years (taking care of a newborn!), writing in the middle of the night (some times up to 01:00AM and waking up at 05:00AM...but well Worth the efforts....well Worth!).

There will be a second book dedicated to the other Brazilians in RFC/RAF and RNAS in WW1....am resuming its writing now....do have already some 200-300 pages. Some 12 biographies, much smaller ones.

Thanks for your interest and kind Honoring of those Brazilians who flew for freedom in WW1 and WW2.

Adriano Silva Baumgartner, ASV 00.344 (aircraft accident investigator)

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Thanks Adriano

So if we exclude only WW 1, Clostermann is still the greatest ace of Brazil or were there anyone with double citizenship who chose to fight for the Axis side, making more claims?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Clostermann is French... Only because his French parents, who worked in Brazil for the French Government, where there it happened he was born in Brazil. He goes to school in France and never intended to live in Brazil, neither he intended to live in the USA or in Britain. His double citizenship is for comodity, like many people have and still do.
That would probably have made him laught claiming to him he is a Brazilian despite his love for South America.

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Alfred

I agree we are perhaps discussing semantics here, but if Clostermann accepted a double citizenship then he basically had no choice, regardless if he laughed or not... :)
His only possibillity would have been to resign his Brazilian citizenship.

Bottom line is that the question no longer was in his own hands, it was actually in the Brazilians hands. If they considered him to be a citizen of Brazil then he/they could also make the claim he was their top ace (unless there is someone on the Axis side I don't know about).

I am waiting for your verdict here Adriano :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Well Stig, to me Egon Albrecht Lemke is the greatest fighter ace. Being born in Brasil and fighting in Luftwaffe as a brazilian there is no mistake in my mind. Despite Brasil sent a group of fighter pilots from Brazilian Air Force to Italy they never had any dog fight or encounter with enemy planes so they just performed bombing missions with their P-47. Anyway they were dangerous missions full or risk.

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

Hi Sergio

How nice to hear from you and that you also enter this thread...and just shot me down...:D

Can't say I am too surprised to see some Brazilians fighting for the Axis.

I hope everything is well with you and family. Any new book in the pipeline??

Take Care
Stig

Re: Biography of Captain Gordon Fox Rule, D.F.C., C.d.G.* - Greatest WW1 Brazilian Ace
 

They can consider and claim what they want, truth remains. Lately it has been a trend to appropriate people, events, achievements,...