‘The man called Brown Condor’

July 30, 2013

Being an Air force brat who grew up in Debrezeit on fumes of aviation fuel, I am embarrassed to say that I never heard of this man they called the ‘Brown Condor”. It was during one of my aimless wanderings in the aisles of the local library that I came across this book. Titled ‘The Man Called the Brown Condor”, the book is a result of three decades of research and details the “forgotten history of an African American fighter pilot” in whose debt Ethiopians will always remain.

This thrilling biography traces the life of a seven year old black child from segregated Mississippi in 1910, afflicted with the love of flying. It chronicles his incredible journey against impossible odds in white America, the tortuous path he took to make his dreams of flying come true for himself and for many others and excel in it in more ways than one… his own plane, his own airfield, his own flying school!!. His story is not just about flying; it is about tenacity, perseverance and creating doors where there were none. For the motivated it is inspirational. Every few pages the gripping account left me exclaiming… No way! Really? Ere Betesekelw !!!. The story should particularly resonate with those of us of Ethiopian extraction who straddle two continents and have the misfortune of being called by the now unflattering term “Diaspora”. Us and ours who have chosen to make home outside home are faced daily with challenges that are not much different.

A third of the way in the book, the life of John Charles Robinson would intersect that of “Ras Taferi” the twenty-six-year old “regent to Empress Zauditu ruler of an ancient, unconquered Christian nation….the first to serve the second, the second to place his life in the hands of the first.” It goes on to a fascination exposition the life and times of this man who is the un-lauded father of the Tuskegee air men, who became a commander of the Ethiopian Air corps and served during the Italian occupation, wounded three times who later became the personal pilot of Emperor Hailesilassie, rebuilt the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force, set up a school and trained the very first crop of pilots and technicians and helped to found the Ethiopian Airlines. The book provides priceless nuggets of information on some of the heroes of a forgotten era. Memorable personalities like Mulu Asah the Ethiopian pilot, Ras Mebratu, “ the weizero’, Julian the opportunist, Corriger the reckless French man, the adventurer von Rosen whose aunt was married to Hermann Goring (Goring of the Luftwaffe !!!) are resurrected. Robinson’s relation with the King and his court, the geopolitical forces that were at play as well as life in Ethiopia in the 1930s are vividly described.

I hope it would not be presumptuous of me if I am appreciative of the fact the author took the trouble to avoid anglicization of Ethiopian names of people and places. In addition to the wonderful photo inserts, I found the placement of the two full color roundels of the old Imperial Air force on the back cover particularly touching. I extend my sincerest gratitude to Mr. Simmons for bringing to light the story of this remarkable man though now he has added one more item to my bucket list… to visit the final resting place of Colonel John C. Robinson at ……

Compatriots! Let’s give tribute to the ‘Brown Condor” by getting to know about his life and his service to Ethiopia.