José Falcó Sanmartín facts for kids

José Falcó Sanmartín was a brave Spanish pilot. He was born in Barcelona on September 27, 1916. He passed away in Toulouse, France, on May 10, 2014. José was known as a "flying ace." This means he was a pilot who shot down many enemy planes. He achieved eight official victories during his time.

He was part of the Spanish Republican Air Force. This group fought during the Spanish Civil War. After the war, he moved to France. France welcomed him, and he lived there until he died.

Becoming a Pilot

José Falcó Sanmartín was born in Barcelona. He wanted to fly planes. In December 1936, he took pilot entrance exams. He passed them and joined the air force. This happened in March 1937. He officially became a pilot on October 31 of that year.

Fighting in the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War was a big conflict in Spain. It lasted from 1936 to 1939. José Falcó Sanmartín was a pilot during this war. He flew for the Spanish Republican Air Force. He spent 366 hours flying in combat. He also took part in 20 battles.

In his last battle, on February 6, 1939, he shot down an enemy pilot. This pilot was named Friedrich Windemuth. José Falcó Sanmartín was a very skilled pilot. He was known for his bravery.

Life After the War

After the war, José Falcó Sanmartín had to leave Spain. He went to France as an exile. He later became a French citizen. He found a new job in Toulouse. He worked as a civil engineer. He retired from this job in 1976.

José Falcó Sanmartín showed great respect for his enemies. He often cleaned the grave of Friedrich Windemuth. Windemuth was the pilot he shot down in his last battle. This showed his honor and respect.

His Legacy

A French journalist named Pierre Challier wrote a book about José Falcó Sanmartín's life. José lived a long life. He passed away from natural causes when he was 97 years old. His story is remembered for his courage and respect.

See also

In Spanish: José Falcó Sanmartín para niños