Virgil Brennan was born in Warwick, Queensland, on 6 March 1920 to Edgar James Virgil Brennan, a solicitor, and his wife Katherine.
11 Facts About Virgil Brennan
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Virgil Brennan was educated at the Christian Brothers' School in Warwick, before moving on to Downlands College at Toowoomba and later Brisbane State High School.
3.
On 8 November 1940, Virgil Brennan enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force for service during the Second World War.
4.
Virgil Brennan later embarked for Canada, where he completed his flight training before being posted to the United Kingdom in August 1941, where he was appointed to an Operational Training Unit.
5.
On 7 March 1942, Virgil Brennan was one of fifteen pilots sent to the island of Malta.
6.
On 20 April 1942, Virgil Brennan added a further two aircraft to his tally when he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109, before bringing down a Junkers Ju 88 later that day.
7.
Virgil Brennan was commissioned as a pilot officer later that month.
8.
On 17 April 1943, Virgil Brennan was repatriated from the United Kingdom and returned to Australia.
9.
At approximately 14:00, Virgil Brennan landed his Spitfire in the wake turbulence of the aircraft ahead of himself and touched down on the left side of the runway.
10.
Virgil Brennan was informed that he was cutting in on the path of the Spitfire following him, which was to land on the right side of the runway.
11.
Virgil Brennan landed his aircraft short, and at the conclusion of his landing run turned across the path of the second Spitfire.