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Group Captain, Sir Douglas Bader, DSO, DFC, was a flying ace who flew in the Second World War, despite losing both legs in a previous crash. He was shot down over enemy territory and held at Colditz for his frequent attempts at escape.
Douglas Bader was born in 1910 in England. At school he was bright and excelled at sports, especially rugby and cricket. After graduating from school, he decided to join the RAF – the newest armed service, and at the time quite dangerous.
Douglas proved a gifted flyer, but, with a healthy disrespect for following orders; he was frequently in trouble for bending rules and regulations. is the quoted as saying: “Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men. “
However, due to his skill he passed on the second attempt, just missing out on being awarded best flyer of the year.
In 1931 he was encouraged to take part in some low flying aerobatic manoeuvres in the new British bulldog plane, he flew too close to the ground and crashed. His injuries resulted in the amputation of both his legs. The loss of legs was a huge blow for a person who was so committed to being active. He had to leave the RAF as they wouldn’t use a pilot without legs.
There then followed a period of painful readjustment as Douglas struggled to cope with his new disability and life in civilian surroundings.
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On the outbreak of World War II, in 1939, Douglas again reapplied to the RAF. As they were so desperate for pilots, he was allowed to rejoin and he flew fighter sorties in the Battle of Britain.
He was one of the great pioneers of the big wing squadron, and helped to form the Duxford Wing – a formation of five squadrons which helped to shoot down many German fighters. He attributed his success in aerial combat to the three maxims of German ace Erich Hartmann:
In the spring of 1945, the POW camp was liberated by the Allies and Douglas spent the next few decades visiting injured servicemen in hospital. He was knighted by the Queen in 1976 for his service to amputees.
He died in 1982 of a heart attack.
He was one of the great pioneers of the big wing squadron, and helped to form the Duxford Wing – a formation of five squadrons which helped to shoot down many German fighters. He attributed his success in aerial combat to the three maxims of German ace Erich Hartmann:
- If you had the height, you controlled the battle.
- If you came out of the sun, the enemy could not see you.
- If you held your fire until you were very close, you seldom missed
In the spring of 1945, the POW camp was liberated by the Allies and Douglas spent the next few decades visiting injured servicemen in hospital. He was knighted by the Queen in 1976 for his service to amputees.
He died in 1982 of a heart attack.