What happened to the pilot who lost his legs in 1931?
In December 1931, while attempting some aerobatics, he crashed and lost both his legs. Having been on the brink of death, he recovered, retook flight training, passed his check flights and then requested reactivation as a pilot. Although there were no regulations applicable to his situation, he was retired against his will on medical grounds.
How did Bader lose his leg?
Bader's fuselage, tail and fin were gone from behind him, and he lost height rapidly at what he estimated to be 400 mph (640 km/hr) in a slow spin. He jettisoned the cockpit canopy, released his harness pin, and the air rushing past the open cockpit started to suck him out, but his prosthetic leg was trapped.
What happened to Alfred Bader in WW2?
He was finally dispatched to the "escape-proof" Colditz Castle Oflag IV-C on 18 August 1942, where he remained until 15 April 1945 when it was liberated by the First United States Army. After his return to Britain, Bader was given the honour of leading a victory flypast of 300 aircraft over London in June 1945.
Where is Douglas Bader's artificial leg now?
The Douglas Bader Foundation was formed in honour of Bader in 1982 by family and friends—many also former RAF pilots who had flown with Bader during the Second World War. One of Bader's artificial legs is kept by the RAF Museum at their warehouse in Stafford, and is not on public display.
What did Bader do in the RAF?
He continued to excel at sports, and added hockey and boxing to his repertoire. Motorcycling was tolerated at Cranwell, though cadets usually took part in banned activities such as speeding, pillion racing and buying and racing motorcars. Bader was involved in these activities and was close to expulsion after being caught out too often, in addition to coming in 19th out of 21 in his class examinations; however, his commanding officer (CO), Air vice-marshal Frederick Halahan gave him a private warning about his conduct.
Why did Bader get his first Spitfire?
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Stephenson, a close friend from his Cranwell days, was the commanding officer, and it was here that Bader got his first glimpse of a Spitfire. It was thought that Bader's success as a fighter pilot was partly because of his having no legs; pilots pulling high g-forces in combat turns often blacked out as the flow of blood from the brain drained to other parts of the body, usually the legs. As Bader had no legs he could remain conscious longer, and thus had an advantage over more able-bodied opponents.
How far did Bader turn his biplane upside down?
On 27 November, eight years after his accident, Bader flew solo again in an Avro Tutor; once airborne, he could not resist the temptation to turn the biplane upside down at 600 feet (180 m) inside the circuit area.
How many victories did Bader have?
He was credited with 22 ae rial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged. Bader joined the RAF in 1928, and was commissioned in 1930. In December 1931, while attempting some aerobatics, he crashed and lost both his legs.
Where was Bader captured?
In August 1941, Bader baled out over German-occupied France and was captured. Soon afterward, he met and was befriended by Adolf Galland, a prominent German fighter ace. Despite his disability, Bader made a number of escape attempts and was eventually sent to the prisoner of war camp at Colditz Castle.
Where did Bader go to college?
Soon afterwards, he was offered a place at Oxford University, but turned it down as he preferred Cambridge University.
Who did Bader score two victories against?
Later in the month, Bader scored a further two victories over Messerschmitt Bf 110s. On 30 August 1940, No. 242 Squadron was moved to Duxford again and found itself in the thick of the fighting. On this date, the squadron claimed 10 enemy aircraft, Bader scoring two victories against Bf 110s.
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Early Years
- Childhood and education
Bader was born on 21 February 1910 in St John's Wood, London, the second son of Major Frederick Roberts Bader (1867–1922), a civil engineer, and his wife Jessie Scott MacKenzie. His first two years were spent with McCann relatives in the Isle of Manwhile his father, accompanie… - Joining the RAF
In 1928, Bader joined the RAF as an officer cadet at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in rural Lincolnshire. He continued to excel at sports, and added hockey and boxing to his repertoire. Motorcycling was tolerated at Cranwell, though cadets usually took part in banned activities suc…
Second World War
- Return to RAF
Against a background of increasing tensions in Europe in 1937–39, Bader repeatedly requested that the Air Ministry accept him back into the RAF and he was finally invited to a selection board meeting at Adastral House in London's Kingsway. Bader was disappointed to learn that it was o… - Phoney War
In January 1940, Bader was posted to No. 19 Squadron based at RAF Duxford near Cambridge, where, at 29, he was older than most of his fellow pilots. Squadron Leader Geoffrey Stephenson, a close friend from his Cranwell days, was the commanding officer, and it was here that Bader go…
Postwar
- Last years in the RAF
After his return to Britain, Bader was given the honour of leading a victory flypast of 300 aircraft over London in June 1945. On 1 July, he was promoted to temporary wing commander. Soon after, Bader was looking for a post in the RAF. Air Marshal Richard Atcherley, a former Schneide… - Postwar career
Bader considered politics, and standing as a Member of Parliament (MP) for his home constituency in the House of Commons. He despised how the three main political parties used war veterans for their own political ends. Instead, he resolved to join Shell. His decision was not …
Honours and Awards
- 1 October 1940 – Acting Squadron Leader Bader (26151) is appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order:
Combat Credos
- Bader attributed his success to the belief in the three basic rules, shared by the German ace Erich Hartmann: 1. "If you had the height, you controlled the battle." 2. "If you came out of the sun, the enemy could not see you." 3. "If you held your fire until you were very close, you seldom missed."
See Also
- Gheorghe Bănciulescu, a Romanian aviator, the first pilot in the world to fly with his feet amputated
- Alexey Maresyev, a Soviet Second World War fighter ace with amputated legs
- James MacLachlan, a British Second World War fighter ace with an amputated arm
- Hans-Ulrich Rudel, a Second World War German pilot who continued flying after having a leg …
- Gheorghe Bănciulescu, a Romanian aviator, the first pilot in the world to fly with his feet amputated
- Alexey Maresyev, a Soviet Second World War fighter ace with amputated legs
- James MacLachlan, a British Second World War fighter ace with an amputated arm
- Hans-Ulrich Rudel, a Second World War German pilot who continued flying after having a leg amputated
External Links
- Imperial War Museum, Douglas Bader and his ‘Big Wing’ (12 Group Wing)
- Douglas Robert Stewart Bader Archived 4 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- Douglas Bader at IMDb
- Ministry of Defence article on the unveiling of the Blue Plaque