Ramón Franco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramón Franco
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Franco in 1926.
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| Birth name | Ramón Franco Bahamonde |
| Born | 2 February 1896 Ferrol Naval Station, Galicia, Spain |
| Died | 28 October 1938 (aged 42) Off the coast of Pollença, Balearic Islands, Spain |
| Allegiance | |
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| Years of service | 1914–1938 |
| Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War |
Ramón Franco Bahamonde (born February 2, 1896 – died October 28, 1938) was a famous Spanish aviator. He was a pioneer in flying and also a political figure. Ramón was the brother of Francisco Franco, who later became the leader of Spain.
Before the Spanish Civil War, both Ramón and Francisco were seen as national heroes in Spain. However, they had very different ideas about politics. They also had another brother named Nicolás.
Contents
Aviation Adventures
Ramón Franco began his career as a successful army officer in 1914. He was sent to Morocco. In 1920, he joined the Spanish Air Force. Here, he took part in flights that made him famous around the world.
In 1926, he became a national hero. He piloted a special flying boat called the Plus Ultra on a long flight across the Atlantic Ocean. His co-pilot was Julio Ruiz de Alda Miqueleiz. The other crew members were Juan Manuel Duran and Pablo Rada.
The Plus Ultra left Palos de la Frontera, Spain, on January 22. It arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on January 26. The journey included stops in places like Gran Canaria and Rio de Janeiro. The flight covered 10,270 kilometers (about 6,380 miles). It took 59 hours and 39 minutes to complete.
This amazing flight was reported in newspapers all over the world. People in Spanish-speaking countries celebrated the aviators. Thousands gathered in Madrid to welcome them home.
In 1929, Ramón tried another flight across the Atlantic. This time, his airplane crashed into the sea. Luckily, a British Royal Navy ship rescued him and his crew a few days later.
Political Life
Ramón Franco was also involved in politics. During the time of Miguel Primo de Rivera's rule, he often spoke out against the government. He even planned against the monarchy and was sent to prison. But he managed to escape.
In December 1930, Ramón and other aviators who supported a republic took over some airplanes. They flew over Madrid and dropped leaflets. These papers wrongly said that a revolution had started across Spain. They asked people and soldiers to join the movement. Ramón then fled to Portugal. He returned to Spain when the Second Spanish Republic was declared.
He rejoined the army and became the head of a main aviation department. However, he was soon removed from this job. This was because he was involved in a revolt in Andalusia. Later, he was elected as a representative in the Cortes (Spanish parliament) for Republican Left of Catalonia in Barcelona. He then left the army to focus on politics.
Spanish Civil War Role
When the Spanish Civil War began in July 1936, Ramón Franco was in the United States. He was working at the Spanish Embassy as an air attaché.
When he returned to Spain, he joined the Nationalist side. This was the side his brother Francisco was leading. This was surprising because Ramón had supported left-wing politics before. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He was also put in charge of the airbase in Majorca. Some other aviators were not happy about this. They felt Ramón, who had been dismissed before, was promoted over more deserving officers.
His Death
Ramón Franco died in an air accident on October 28, 1938. His seaplane crashed off the coast of Pollença, near Majorca. He was trying to bomb Valencia, which was controlled by the Republican side.
His body was found floating in the water. His death led to many rumors about conspiracies. Some people thought he was murdered. His sister believed he was killed by a secret society. She said they put bricks and a motor on his plane. This was because he wanted to publish a book against them. After his death, his brother Francisco, who would rule Spain for many years, mostly stopped contact with Ramón's wife and daughter.
Images for kids
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Franco in 1926.
See also
In Spanish: Ramón Franco para niños
