The Legless Ace - True Story of Douglas Bader - Famous RAF Fighter Pilot

Douglas Bader was one of the most famous pilots of World War II, and what makes him even more incredible is that he lost both legs in a flying accident. Yet, after he was fitted with prosthetics, he flew Hawker Hurricanes and Spitfires and was one of the top RAF aces in the conflict. This was made using the World War II flight simulator IL-2 Sturmovik Great Battles series. Hope you enjoy! Please like, comment, and subscribe.
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[@TJ3]

Historical notes - First, I literally watched Douglas Bader pronounce his own name and I tried to say it exactly like him, so no comments on that please lol. Next, obviously the biplane shown is a Sopwith Camel, but he was flying a Bulldog Mk II in his crash. Also, the twin engine bomber that he took down over the coast was a Do-17, but I have shown a Ju-88. (Have to make these adjustments with the limits of the flight sim I use). Also, some historians argue that he could have also been shot down by either German or an RAF plane as well. Thanks for watching guys! Hope you enjoy!

[@Vanhala]

A wee note on the pronunciation (SORRY!) - you're saying it like him but he had an upper class British accent so it sounds weird when you don't have that as well. For a non-accented pronunciation according to the international phonetic alphabet (IPA) it would be /ˈbɑːdər/ with the ending like "lett*er*. As a prep school grad his accent was quite posh so the "Bahdah" is emblematic of that. Excellent presentation though and the pronunciation does nothing to detract from that!

[@antartis73]

Sorry again you might call me pedantic but the biplane you were flying (replicating the Hawker Bulldog) is not the Sopwith Camel but the Sopwith Dolphin, an inline engine modification based on the Camel airframe.

[@lynlynyanig1416]

Night witches please tj3?!?!?

[@ronwilken5219]

An excellent presentation. Thank you. You don't make mention of it but I do believe that Bader went on to pilot private airliners for a small airline operated by Shell oil after his discharge from the Royal Air Force and did so for many years. Reading the book, Reach for the Sky by Paul Brickhill gives a lot of details about his exploits and accident and the movie of the same name is faithful to the book and well worth watching if you can find it. I had the privilege of showing it at boarding school in Northern Rhodesia in the late 1950's probably shortly after it's release. I was the projectionist and all of about 14 years of age.

[@jonathansteadman7935]

I thought he was possibly shot down by Galland's wingman. Incidentally my Grandfather worked on his prosthetic legs during the war at Hangers, a prosthetics factory.

[@lapensulo4684]

Your request for the viewers to support the Douglas Baudder(sp), foundation had a huge positive impact upon me. Not only am I an amputee, but I have two other different kinds of very serious injuries from the same accident. Much appreciation for your act of generosity. God-Speed, my friend

[@TJ3]

So glad to hear that! Thanks for watching!

[@Bambihunter1971]

@@TJ3 It was a very classy thing to do. 🙂

[@andrewlerdard-dickson5201]

I have had met Sir Douglas Bader 3 time's....the first time is when he came to" Clontarf Boy's Town, a boarding School, when l was a student their in 1975. When l spoke extensively to him, as l was requested the task of showing him around the school ( because I wouldn't shut up talking to him) and gave him a picture l had drawn of the 242 squadron motif of a flying boot kicking Hitler in the ass.......he signed it and gave it back to me ! The Second time was at the Perth entertainment centre that same year, were he told the audience about his many exploit's, were a honour ceremony was put on for him, and l was amongst that guard, as l was lucky to be a RAAF cadet.....with my two brother's who were also cadet's.

[@richardwhittaker2923]

My Mum always spoke of the time she met Douglas Bader at a mess dinner at the RAF base at Ford in Sussex. She lived in the nearby town of Arundel. She had been asked to dance during the evening and after the dance her friends asked what it was like to dance with the young officer. My mother noted that he had danced a little stiffly and she only found out, after her friends laughed at her reply, that she had been dancing with Bader and that he had artificial legs!

[@andrewlerdard-dickson5201]

I first met Sir Douglas Bader when l was a student at a boarding school called Clontarf Boy's Town.....here in Western Australia aged 14 yr's old, he never asked me if l would like to dance..... praise the Lord 🙏 !. But I asked him about his adventures as a fighter pilot and about one particular photograph about him sitting in a German Luftwaffe Me 109 with Adolf Galland standing out side talking with him and a certain German Luftwaffe officer standing there holding a luger on him without Sir Douglas Bader knowing......l commented to Sir Bader "why was this fool pointing a luger at you, where did that silly bugger think you was going with one of Herman Goring's toy's.....he laughed and laughed put is hand on my shoulder.....and replied buggered if l know !.....they must of been worried and didn't want to find out !

[@stumccabe]

I am 69. When I was a young boy (I guess 7 years old) Douglas Bader came to my school and gave us a talk about his wartime exploits and experiences - I can't remember anything about it other than that I thought he was a very special man.

[@rogerdailey9357]

Something you will remember for a life time. I’m only one year older and I wish I could have been there. Check out John Lucky Luckadoo presentation. If you have the time check mine as well KZbin search “3 Days In May 1943”.

[@edgar6628]

Who else can say they was in contact with a man whos became legend.

[@adriaandeleeuw8339]

I met Sir Douglas in Darwin in 1978, I introduced the young lady I was with and his quip to me was I hope you dont mind if I dont stand up as I shook his hand.

[@arolysantiagosuarezdiaz2905]

I'm a airline trasport pilot. I had an motorcycle accident 3 years ago, and unfortunately they amputee my left leg above the knee. My first impression was is over. But when I hear about Sir Douglas Bader everything change. I return to fly again and I drove a motorcoach Bus too.

[@zen4men]

Well done! Good that Bader inspired you. He has inspired many people.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Good show!

[@fridaycaliforniaa236]

Damn ! What a story ! This channel is dramatically underrated =)

[@jamesn7305]

I love this guy. A gentleman and a badass. Gets on with the job, tells it like it is, not expecting sympathy. Today it seems people want sympathy because their coffee is cold.

[@jimmytgoose476]

He didn't deserve sympathy . He lost his legs in a crash that was entirely his own fault , destroying an aircraft that he didn't own . He regarded the RAF as a flying club and damaged or wrecked other service aircraft at a time when the nation needed every available fighter . He undermined the leadership of Fighter Command to promote his own ideas , later proved to be unworkable and actually stupid . He treated his subordinates with contempt including the man who spent years looking after him as a POW . Postwar , he was a vocal supporter of apartheid . In short, he was a wanker .

[@heyabusa1]

@@jimmytgoose476 Bit like yourself then.

[@jimmytgoose476]

@Timothy M grow up or blow up . I can work with either .

[@alicejohnson8751]

@@jimmytgoose476i 100% agree with this. Most of the people who flew or worked in the RAF with him hated him

[@bobsakamanos4469]

It seems little jimmytgoose is on a rampage to defame Bader. Young kiddies today are manipulated by the media to judge and slander historical people based on their twisted views of what freedom means.

[@jonbridge8064]

Recent research indicates Bader was most likely shot down by "friendly fire". The Germans didn't loose any 109s to collision that day. A 616 sqdn pilot claimed a "109" shot down that doesn't match the German losses of the day, but matches the circumstances of Baders bail out.

[@jimmytgoose476]

The more i learned about Bader the more i could believe he was deliberately shot down by another Spitfire .

[@davidforbes7772]

@@jimmytgoose476 And if he wasn't, he should have been.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Research by whom? Please don't say Saunders. His book is the worst I've ever read and is nothing but an opinion paper to support the BBC smear campaigns.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Recent research? I hope you're not referring to Saunders opinionized book. Worst WWII book ever, full of assumptions and with a definite agenda , a smear campaign.

[@mothmagic1]

I like his attitude to authority. "Rules are made for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men. I'm neither."

[@jimmytgoose476]

He hated being given orders but it was a different thing altogether when it came to his subordinates. He expected discipline and instant obedience but wasn't so willing to give it himself . He was a bit of an arsehole, all things considered.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

@@jimmytgoose476 A book I recently read about Colditz said how he was a hero and a bastard, both. Didn't hesitate to pull rank and his batman had a chance to be repatritated but Bader said no and the poor guy had to stay a prisoner until the end of the war.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

You have to understand the context. The RAF doctrine in his days was written by that old WWI bugger, Trenchard, who was a clear proponent of attrition warfare and using pilots as cannon fodder. Bader's generation had to rewrite the doctrine and tactics as they went. There's an old expression in the military training world that still applies: Do you train for a war (based on history) or do you train for THE war (current war that's evolving). The latter means a fast feedback loop from operations to the training units & op training officers. So Bader was exactly right.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@jimmytgoose476 jimmy the paid journalist on his smear campaign. A boy without a clue.

[@ianmclaughlin8987]

Douglas Bader has a street named after him in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Bader Crescent in Montgomery Place, Saskatoon. I grew up there and was aware of him and the leg being dropped for him. I never knew anything else about the man so you video on him was great and I enjoyed learning much more from your excellent video. thanks TJ3

[@bobsakamanos4469]

The streets in Calgary, Bartow and McKnight, were named after the lads in Bader's 242 Sqn and they intersect just S of the airport. Bader was there as guest of honour for the opening ceremony.

[@Paladin1873]

I never met Bader. I read his book and saw the movie, and years later I met his niece, Virginia, and Adolf Galland at a small aviation art forum she was hosting at the Bolling AFB Officer's Club in D.C. I purchased a Spitfire print from Virginia (she had a gallery in Alexandria) which Galland signed for me. I told Galland I had orders to Germany, so he invited me to come visit him after I arrived. Regrettably, my orders were cancelled and I never got the opportunity to see him again. I still have the print he signed hanging over my bed. It reads "Please Herr Reichsmarschall, equip my wing with Spitifires - Adolf Galland". Did he ever really say this or was it a bit of historical fiction? The world may never know for certain, so I treat it as something that, if it isn't true, should have been. I'm leaving a great deal out of this short retelling of the story, including information on the character of both Galland and Bader. Each man has his supporters and detractors. I will say this much; I suspect if you spent any amount of time with either of them, you might go mad, but you would never be bored.

[@Desertduleler_88]

Adolf Galland certainly had a longer combat career than Bader. Especially when Galland made history using the Me 262 in combat in the last months of the war the only General to do so.

[@tieroneactual2228]

I had read in a book about Franz Stigler & Charlie Brown that Galland had did in fact say that after Goering asked Galland what he would need to further the mission of his unit against the Allied fighters. And apparently Goering didn’t have a sense of humor to appreciate Gallands response.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@tieroneactual2228 True enough, and Galland certainly never said, 'give me a sqn of Hurricanes'... LOL

[@JohnPittaway]

Nicely done, guys, & the link to Bader's charity made it special. I was handed a copy of Reach For The Sky in early 1982. At the time I as in hospital after a motorcycle accident left me with both knees & both wrists broken, a broken shoulder & a significant lower back injury. At the time I was questioning the wisdom of continuing a life in a body shattered to this extent. Then "out of the blue" came the story of "Tin Legs Bader". Needless to say 40 plus years later my bum still points toward the ground due to a large part from the inspiration of Douglas Bader & his story Thanks again.

[@rogerdailey9357]

I knew this story but you proved me wrong. His work after the war I did not know. Thank you once again. Great presentation great man.

[@rogerdailey9357]

I’m not at your level of KZbin presentation. I would consider it an honor if you looked at my first attempt. I know it’s too long. Search in KZbin “3 Days In May 1943”.

[@jimmytgoose476]

A great underminer of Fighter Command and a great supporter of apartheid.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@jimmytgoose476 so says a kiddie without an education.

[@ste_f4i39]

Love this you have a great job of this iv studded Douglas Barder ever since my dad played the video to me at 10 I'm now 49 and still love you watch reach for the sky,also went to Duxford air show a few weeks ago so amazing I already don't to the DBF 🙏❤✌

[@johnmacdonald1878]

My mum was a ward sister in a reconstructive surgery unit. They had a number of WW2 era patients who regularly came to visit new patients. They called themselves the Guinea Pigs. Bader was one of them.

[@janlindtner305]

I recall from my references on RAF IIWW model building, mainly 1:72 scale, that Bader's Spitfire in particular was equipped as a Mk.Va and not as the usual Mk.Vb. Perhaps because as a fighter pilot, Bader was a pursuer. The difference is Mk.Vb = 2 X 20 mm. Orlikon + 4 X .303 in. Mk.Va = 8 X .303 in. These 8 machine guns were synchronized to a shorter distance where the salvo had the greatest effect. Best Regards Jan

[@leifvejby8023]

I believe that is correct, and that he was against the cannons.

[@danielrabe871]

If you read the incredible biography of Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck, Fly for your Life by Larry Forrester, it is mentioned that Bob and Douglas butted heads on the issue of 20mm cannons vs machine guns for aircraft armament.

[@gbro8822]

Outstanding, thank you.

[@easttexan2933]

that was a great docu. never knew about hero of Britain. Thanks for sharing.

[@longrider42]

According to what I've read, and I have a book some where.The only reason he could still fly, was because he lost one leg above the knee and one leg below the knee. So he still had one working knee. And knee's are every thing.

[@tonymarshall4164]

My uncle was imprisoned in Colditz castle with Bader

[@lapensulo4684]

Prosthetic, I know how difficult it is to come back with prosthetics, since I too am an amputee.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Bader was extremely special. Tough and charismatic when the chips were down and rebuilt the morale of 242 Sqn in the BoB. He trained quite a number of lads that became good leaders.

[@MarkHarrison733]

He was a bad pilot and a very bad leader.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@MarkHarrison733 LOL, run along child. This forum is for adults and military people.

[@raypurchase801]

The collision did not happen, as discovered by a TV documentary a few years ago. British archives for the combat revealed Bader was brought down by friendly fire. The new 109F resembled the Spitfire from behind, because it had elongated wingtips and no tailplane struts. Bader was pursuing some fleeing 109s. An RAF pilot fired a longrange burst of 20mm cannon at what he thought was the rearmost 109. He saw the rear fuselage fly off and was awarded a kill. The Luftwaffe's records confirm no 109s were lost that day, and the fuselage breaking off is an unusual kill. This is definitely how Bader was shot down.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Or maybe some pilot saw the perfect chance to get rid of the horrible sod ...

[@bobsakamanos4469]

nonsense. What's your reference, and don't say Saunders. His book is useless drivel and assumptions.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@jimmytgoose476 your smear campaign is immature and rediculous.

[@raypurchase801]

@@bobsakamanos4469 There was a TV documentary some years ago. I can't remember its title and I can't find it on KZbin. The documentary intended to uncover how Bader was brought down, and used aerial reconnaissance photos of that region of France, showing air crash craters. The intention was to dig out the wreck. Two sites were found. One site had since become a quarry and the wreck had long since disappeared. The other wreck dug out. Serial numbers were found, but it was the wrong Spitfire. Its pilot baled out and spent the rest of WW2 as a prisoner. The diggers found the his leather flying helmet, with the pilot's name still in it. The elderly pilot had died shortly before the crew started filming, but the helmet was handed over to his widow. The researchers went back to the RAF combat reports and discovered the truth. One RAF pilot claimed a kill. He'd pursued a group of fleeing 109s, fired from a great range and observed the entire tail unit detach from his target. The Luftwaffe's records confirm no German aircraft were lost that day. Therefore, the "109" could only have been Bader's Spitfire. If you're in the UK, keep an eye on Channel 4's schedules because one day it might be repeated.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@raypurchase801 be very cautious about "documentaries" , especially by the BBC or the host of other manipulative networks. Saunders also worked for the BBC. They always have their agendas.

[@BerniceuDeVilliers]

Saw the movie Reach for the Sky, have the book that I am reading the book again and this man was truly phenomenal. thanks for this insight as well.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

The film was fiction.

[@badermediaentertainmentcic]

Nice video and Douglas's story is well told. Nice touch adding the foundation on at the end. 👍🏻

[@mikebrase5161]

Watching Reach for the Sky on KZbin brought me here. The British actor Kenneth More is one of my all time favorites.

[@madmeerkat1158]

My boyhood hero!

[@weissrw1]

Really good!!! Thanks!

[@ryanparker7258]

You do a great job with your limited tools, keep it up please.

[@iainjones537]

There's a street not far away from me called "Bader Walk". Someone had a sick sense of humour when they came up with that.

[@jimmytgoose476]

🤣🤣🤣 brilliant

[@simonmcgough7336]

I like D Bader his is my favourite pilot in world 2,,,,,,,,,,

[@jimmytgoose476]

Why ?

[@JarlVikingr]

I had actually met Sir Douglas Bader twice and spoke to him very extensively, especially about the occasion when he had the cheek to ask Adolf Galland if he could take a Messerschmitt 109 for a test flight. In his book "Reach for the Sky" there is a photo of Sir Douglas Bader sitting in the German Fighter with Adolf Galland standing next to the cockpit talking, while another German Officer held a pistol pointing towards Sir Douglas Bader.....who told me he didn't know that was happening until he saw the photo after the war. I commented why and where did the German think you was going ? He replied l have no idea what the stupid fool was thinking, but by the look of it, not to bloody far......as we laughed about the photo. I had given him a drawing l had done of the old "242 squadron emblem of a RAF flying boot kicking Herr Hitler in the Ass !......he signed my drawing and had given to me.....though sadly lost many year's ago......as l was only a high school student when this accord back in 1975........l spoke to him on the second occasion later in that same year. Last of not claiming to be an expert on his life and military service.....but l have alway's been of the belief that Sir Douglas Bader shot down 22 Aerial Victory 's during W.W.2

[@paulmarchlewski6354]

Photo of DB swinging his leg into a Spit is wrong, its a mark 9, which Bader never flew. I think this was repainted in his wing commanders initials (RAF tradition) just for the 1945 BoB fly past.

[@stevebarley8413]

How strange i have just finishes reading Reach for the Sky to be recommended this

[@lobo5056]

Love the channel. Use the words 'but' and 'so' more than needed

[@Tiagomottadmello]

Great vídeo !!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@briankane6547]

GOOG ONE matey. 🇬🇧

[@brokenbridge6316]

A wonderful video. Great job.

[@dafyddthomas7299]

Excellent video

[@oleriis-vestergaard6844]

Remember this pilot - when shot down and captured in a stalag something alas without HS legs the raf dropped a New Pair down in the camp where his was Held captive

[@Andy_1961]

Danke!

[@austingode]

Good solid work 🙏

[@johnbeavin9170]

Bader was not very popular, in fact he was hated by his ground crew and compatriots in the prison camp, he even refused to allow his medically eligible batman to be repatriated from the German camp.

[@MrMorsecqdx]

Yes, I saw the interview his batman gave, Bader came across as a bully.

[@bobbygardiner6840]

I have just finished the latest book on Colditz and Bader is shown to be an absolute bastard. He would always put himself before others and his treatment of Ross his lackey ( his words) is beyond contempt. To describe his character as complex would be an understatement indeed.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Blatantly false. Stop with the smear campaign and do a little research without bias, son.

[@andykjful]

'REACH FOR THE SKY' - 😘🥰😍🤗

[@MichaelCampin]

You are wrong. The fighting wasnt heavy at Duxford. They were supposed to cover the airfields in the South of England as part of the "big wing" whilst the squadrons further South engaged the bandits from Germany

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Perhaps Dowding should have brought down other aircraft from the north to cover airfields. With London under attack, the big wing was within range and made perfect sense. It was the biggest psy ops victory of the battle and saved the green replacement pilots, giving them a chance to be properly trained for combat.

[@billballbuster7186]

This is a "Boys Own" account of Bader which papers over controversial issues. Bader was a show-off, which was how he lost his legs. He got back into the RAF by knowing people in high places. He developed the "Big Wing" tactics during the Battle of Britain in co-operation with Trafford Leigh-Mallory of 10 Group. Mallory wanted Keith Parks job commanding 11 Group and the two of them, Bader and Mallory, made false claims about the Big Wings effectiveness, which through back room intrigue, led to Sir Hugh Dowding and Keith Park, the winners of the battle, being fired shortly after the end of the battle. After WW2 Bader outright lied when he insisted that the Big Wing was only supposed to have been implemented by 10 Group. This goes against documents from 1940 were Bader and Mallory wanted 11 Group to use the tactic and their complaints to the Air Ministry when it was not. On Bader's last flight 9-8-1941 he claimed he collided with a Bf109, this was another lie, he was almost certainly shot down by an aircraft from 616 Sqn RAF.

[@Scimiter1948]

According to Adolf Galland Bader was definitely shot down by a Sergeant Luftwaffe pilot.

[@zen4men]

The Luftwaffe believed the RAF was defeated. Seeing 60 fighters come at them all at once, was a very, very nasty shock, and had an effect upon them far in excess of actual kills by the Big Wing. /

[@billballbuster7186]

@@zen4men The problem was that by the time the Big Wing had formed, the Bombers had hit their target and the fighters gone home. It was Luftwaffe claims that were the problem, they said the RAF was destroyed, which was clearly not true and this destroyed German morale

[@zen4men]

@@billballbuster7186 "And this destroyed German morale" / Exactly! So in that alone, the Big Wing helped win the BoB. All other debate is therefore irrelevant. Simply by the Big Wing being seen in the air, the Luftwaffe knew it had lost.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

you are so misinformed.

[@bradfordearlof]

Quite one of the most unpleasant men that I have ever met.

[@rickroberts1198]

Well

[@SkyIslander83]

this vidéo is butibul

[@gary11able]

Contrary to popular belief Bader didn't totally lose both legs. He lost one below the knee and one above the knee.

[@richardscoates6835]

But who shot him down?

[@ErnestIsGaming]

Man... He using no G force cheat

[@kurtsnyder4752]

Bader was Gooder than his opposition.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Not really, he had a lot in common with the nazis .

[@hueydoc]

Despite being in battle the same amount of times their German counterparts over the Channel and western Europe, the British pilots were the lowest scoring aces of the war, with many of them actually being Canadian and from other countries. German pilots on the western front had numerous pilots with over 100 victories

[@mrsillywalk]

Bader had more kills than he claimed. Very unlike many other pilots who did the opposite.

[@bradwilliams1691]

I reckon that most of these German victories would have been fighting on the eastern front where the Russian pilots & aircraft were extremely outmatched.

[@gerrydepp8164]

The Germans were going for years before the BoB while the Allies had no fight experience prior and most were novice pilots. Read a History book before commenting please...

[@notwocdivad]

The German pilots scoring started during their involvement in the Spanish war where the Luftwaffe bombed the city of Guernica into ruins an act which was condemned by all other countries

[@hueydoc]

@@mrsillywalk Germany had very strict rules concerning claiming kills- the media proved the Brits were vastly inflating their scores " for moral purposes"

[@richardcall7447]

Douglas Bader, one of the few people who make Chuck Norris look like a wuss.

[@jimmytgoose476]

I hope Chuck was a nicer person .

[@kurtsnyder4752]

Ironic he stands out but is unable to stand on his own two feet.

[@jimmytgoose476]

😃👍

[@cloudhunter2]

First

[@alexlanning712]

Not everyones cup of tea

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

The chivalry and respect shown by Luftwaffe towards Bader is admirable.

[@jimmytgoose476]

They recognised a fellow fascist 😃

[@thelwulfeoforlic6482]

Pity we didn’t reciprocate - What wasn’t mentioned was that Adolf Galland approached Reichs Marshal Herman Göering, who arranged safe passage for an RAF bomber to deliver Bader’s prosthetic limb, HOWEVER on the return journey the aircraft bombed several enemy targets!

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@jimmytgoose476 you've no clue.

[@frankieblue1945]

That was great man. I really like these little documentaries Brother, keep up the great deeds. Ooh Rah!

[@Senorgusanos]

You did a great job of telling this story through the visuals and the dialogue. Very well made. I think Sir Bader would be proud.

[@richardjohnson4238]

I read Douglas Bader's book many years ago, when I was in high school. He has always been one of my hero's.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Do you know how he treated people ? Or that he was a vocal supporter of apartheid ?

[@richardjohnson4238]

@@jimmytgoose476 A wise man, my father-in-law actually, told me once, "His sins are no worse than mine." See John 8:7

[@jimmytgoose476]

Your point ?

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@richardjohnson4238 ignore the kiddies who confuse their freedom with over-entitlement. Bader was a great leader and inspired toughness in pilots.

[@ricardomacaris4905]

Gracias por compartir esta historia...la conocía pero no tan ampliamente. Sin dudas fue un hombre de honor y reconocido por sus adversarios de la mejor manera. Saludos desde Argentina.

[@morgananderson9647]

I know I'm responding to this a little late, however I'm grateful you've included his story. In 1975 as an 8th grader, I noticed a book in the library with a picture of an airplane on the cover. I was fascinated, and though had never really read a full novel, I checked out "Reach for the Sky". I read the full book in short order and was mesmerized by entire story. It also had pictures. It's an excellent read! Highly recommended! Some of the elements, I recall from all those years back, was a picture of the plane crash site where he lost his legs. There was a caption underneath the photo spotlighting the shoes he wore, stating that was the last time shoes were ever taken off his feet... Also a key incident happened during the battle of Britain, when taking off, he failed to set the pitch control for his propeller from "Coarse" to "Fine". The plane he was flying crashed and was destroyed. Later, after recognizing his mistake in the cockpit, he noticed this crash left large dents and damage to his artificial legs... Chances are this would have injured his legs very badly as well, if they were not already replaced with prosthetics... An amazing story by an amazing person, Thanks for sharing it on KZbin, Best regards, Mo-

[@hk-em9yu]

I had the same experience in about '77, I have never been so captivated and inspired by a book since.

[@trob1173]

Read that book a dozen times. Fascinating stuff. Bader really epitomized the stiff upper lip, dogged patriotism of his generation. Genuine hero.

[@eTraxx]

I read his autobiography in 1960. My dad was in the US Airforce and we were in England, my dad stationed at RAF Upper Heyford. My biggest regret is that I did not somehow take advantage of that place and time to visit one of the airshows where he appeared. That book telling how a double amputee refused to let it hold him back is something that was very important in my life at such a relatively early age .. acting as the impetus for my belief in seeing people with disabilities as no less than someone with out.

[@johnreed3638]

My all time favourite pilot, because of his disabilities he would never give up. Such a brave man.

[@Mustaine1ify]

My 2nd favourite pilot after Captain Albert Ball VC, DSO Two Bars, MC

[@jerryumfress9030]

Bader was greatly admired and respected by many German fighter pilots. The German pilots were fighting for a lost cause and towards the end of the war many had high kill rates because they flew until they were killed

[@DD-cg1tm]

i heard that British ground crew detested Bader

[@stepheneast6974]

He was universally detested by ground crew as he treated them like crap. He also had very little time for NCO pilots. I was unfortunate to meet him several times whilst an air cadet. When asked what trade I should join the RAF ( as could not be aircrew due to vision issues) he said that if you cannot be a pilot then you are a nobody. Sums him up. Arrogant to the core.

[@tacoenvy]

@@stepheneast6974 Yeah it’s really unfortunate he acted like an ass from what most people say. When so many other great WWII pilots were great gentlemen and really humble and approachable.

[@stuart8663]

He also visited Australia with a built-in attitude that was unpleasant. Who knows what was the very key point that shaped his life to be regarded as arrogant? And yet he inspired so many and that must not be lost in any discussion about him.

[@DD-cg1tm]

if it hadnt have been Bader, they would have found some other quintessentially maverick Englishman to put on a pedestal. Let's not forget, he lost his legs larking about, not in combat. He swallowed up extra resources to continue being in operation. He was loathed by many contemporaries. If his uncle hadn't been connected to the Air Chief Marshall, who's to say where he might have ended up. God forbid.. ground crew. This informs us of his attitude and privilege .

[@jamesporter1123]

this is absolute rubbish. a sanitised version of events, he was actually shot down in a friendly fire incident. he was warned to get out of the way but didn't. he was viewed as an arrogant bastard by many pilots and by the pow medic who carried around colditz castle. bader would beat him to make him run faster up the steps to his room. when there was an amnesty for all medical people to be released and returned home, bader refused to allow his pow medic to leave him. why don't you actually do some real research on your subjects rather than recycling old internet crap. you could do a story on Johnny Johnson, he was a real gentleman of a pilot

[@bobsakamanos4469]

nice little smear campaign, son.

[@jamesporter1123]

@@bobsakamanos4469 it's not a smear campaign, i have read several books about the man and have discussed him with pilots from WW2 who flew with him or knew him personally.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@jamesporter1123 and what about those who appreciated him for his leadership when the times were tough? You clearly didn't talk to them. Try to understand that those who fought to defend Britain in 1940 weren't the same as the green pilots who came along after to risk their lives in sweeps across France. Not the same motivation. I also suspect that Bader's demeanour was getting a little darker over time having lost so many lads, but never judge another man until you've walked in his shoes (or tin legs). Not all vets were/are benign and good tempered as your school teachers.

[@ronaldweed6103]

Thank you this was well done

[@donaldnevile1066]

Found your site today. I am over 60 and disabled. Met the man in about 1965 or so when he visited my school p

[@roscored1000]

I had the honour of meeting him in 1977 in Adelaide South Australia at a luncheon at Government House there. He signed my edition of the book but it has sadly been misplaced over the years. But at the time he was a hero of mine.

[@forgetfulninja6803]

He was a family friend of mine on my dads side, my great grandpa (my grans dad) played golf with him often

[@notwocdivad]

New research suggests Bader was shot down by a rookie British pilot who mistaked him for a 109? Obviously Bader was taken by surprise by being fired on by a British plane so was too late to react! It was supposedly hushed up for 2 reasons, 1 to spare Baders and the rookie pilots blushes and 2 to keep Morale up!!

[@neilpemberton5523]

There are myriad stories of how Bader treated his underlings like trash. He could well have been shot down on purpose by his own man, I'm afraid to say.

[@jonbridge8064]

Research suggests that it was Lionel "Buck" Casson, a 616 sqdn ace, who shot Bader down.

[@notwocdivad]

@@jonbridge8064 Well I don't think an "ACE" would mistake a British plane for a German? This begs the question "Did he KNOW who he was shooting at"? Bader was badly liked by some pilots, was it a revenge shooting? Guess we will never know for sure??

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Who's research. You're not quoting Saunders I hope. Pure drivel.

[@srfrg9707]

Sir Badass Bader lord of the skies.

[@AB-80X]

He may have been a good pilot, but a horrible human being who treated others like dirt.

[@MarkHarrison733]

He was a bad pilot.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Good pilots don't lose their legs showing off .

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Another smear campaign from someone with feelings of inadequacy.

[@MarkHarrison733]

Bader was a bad pilot and he was shot down by one of his own men. He backed the wrong strategy for the Battle of Britain.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Says who? Try doing some unbiased research.

[@MarkHarrison733]

@@bobsakamanos4469 Everyone who knew the far right racist.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@MarkHarrison733 LOL, the assessment of a teenager whose been brainwashed by the media. Go topple a statue.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@MarkHarrison733 ah, so you've no ability to comment on Bader's wartime leadership, operations or tactics, but you're here to push your contemporary agenda.

[@thelwulfeoforlic6482]

What wasn’t mentioned was that Adolf Galland approached Reichs Marshal Herman Göering ( head of the German airforce) who arranged safe passage for an RAF bomber to deliver Bader’s prosthetic limb, HOWEVER on the return journey the aircraft bombed several enemy targets!

[@zen4men]

My memory was that the RAF were offered safe passage at an agreed time, but arrived unannounced, dropping bombs as well as legs. /

[@zororosario]

That's back when gentlemen were gentlemen!

[@jimmytgoose476]

The very last thing Bader was was a gentleman ; he was thoroughly unpleasant.

[@zororosario]

@@jimmytgoose476 Every one knew he was crazy to some extent, but that was needed at that time . He showed up in Spades 😄

[@jimmytgoose476]

He got away with far too much stuff that would have had any other pilot grounded . He didn't realise that RAF aircraft were not his personal playthings to crash and bend as he pleased .

[@zororosario]

@@jimmytgoose476 He exposed the weeknesst of the tools given to him! Ground this chap? Tripe 🤙

[@jimmytgoose476]

The weakness of the Spitfire ?Have you suffered a head injury ?

[@michaelburke5907]

I read his book "Reach For The Sky" shortly after blowing out my knee in high school football. It was a real inspiration to realize how much he accomplished as a double amputee. Just brilliant.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Why ?

[@romanace3432]

I am a disabled adult from the USA (autism, adhd, depression, anxiety disorder, and eoe) Douglas Bader is a personal hero of mine. edit a few weeks ago I discovered I don't have adhd and depression I instead have bi polar type 2 (I am 24 I was diagnosed with those in elementary school) those have a lot of overlap and are commonly misdiagnosed instead of bi polar so I am actually not upset at all with the diagnosis I see it as answering questions.

[@TJ3]

Very cool!

[@zen4men]

"Experts" spew out labels. What matters is your response to the challenges you face due to the cards Life deals you. /

[@jessejames9854]

Awesome story .. Fighter pilots are a different breed.... Love these little docs its like watching new episodes of dogfights my favorite show ever...

[@davegoldsmith4020]

Douglas Bader Joined 242 squadron as its CO at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk, before they moved to Duxford. He kept the connection with RAF Coltishall after the war, and flew in regularly. I met him in 1973 when he flew in and visited the BBMF. He shook hands with all of us ground crew. At the time Hurricane LF363 carried his 242 squadron code, L ED . When the camp closed in 2005 the married quarters were sold off, they were renamed in his honour. Baders field.

[@lukebrennan5780]

They didn't usually pass out under G forces in WWII. Vision becomes impaired, eventually you see nothing but 'black' but you are not unconscious. If you keep going, you can eventually pass out, but most references to 'black out' is the vision issue, not unconsciousness. The superb book on his life is "Reach For The Sky", by Paul Brickhill. I read it in the 60's as a kid. A fabulous read. It was (years later) decided that one his own people shot him down accidently thinking his Spitfire was a trailing 109F. I have heard that he was an arrogant type, especially when in Colditz. The actions and politics regarding the Big Wing showed he was wrong, which leaves distaste. Yet he did many good things post-war. The story is complicated. It is fair to say he was brave, courageous and never gave up or refused a challenge.

[@michaeltimson4048]

What abut Hoppy Hopgood a Navy Pilot who also lost his legs in an Aircraft Collission not showing off like Bader but down to his trainer Hopgood also was shot down over Germany and put in a Prisoner Of War Campa ps I was told this by my father in law who was Flight Sargent repairing the fighters Mick Timson

[@Clodhopping]

That's Colin Hodgkinson, known as Hoppy Hodgkinson. Crashed during simulated night flying training. Almost identical leg damage to Bader. Went on to become an Member of Parliament after the war 👍

[@Whoopu2]

Alright guys the evidence speaks for itself.. Everyone start amputating the legs of your fighter pilots so they can withstand more Gs!

[@MichaelCampin]

My friend and colleague Mike Whelan aka metal mikey played a round of golf with Douglas Bader

[@forthyone]

he was on pain killers how the flight surgeon pass him for flight said money money money i say junky junky

[@pastorbeau8391]

@lifewiththelanes This WW2 ace made me think of you and your story.

[@sukmykrok3388]

I hope I'm not the only one that thought it was Dwight Schrute, lol!

[@stevesutton1991]

I'll say only one thing, private Alex Ross

[@johnh1001]

There was an old British B&W movie about this man and his squadron . I only saw it once back in the late 60's . Does anyone know the name of that movie ?

[@WolfingtonStanley]

Reach for the sky When Bader and his wife saw it a few years after it was made he thought it was awful

[@stevebarley8413]

You can watch it on utube

[@johnh1001]

@@stevebarley8413 Thanks Steve , I havn't seen it since the 60's .

[@stevebarley8413]

No problem John

[@shieldaigbencher]

Mate, honestly, do some research.

[@scottessery100]

What’ are you referring to

[@anthonyburke5656]

Everyone forgets that the Royal Navy wiped out the Nazi Destroyer Fleet in the Norway debacle. At no point was the Nazi regime in a position to invade UK, because the Royal Navy had the strength to sink any invasion fleet. The Nazis had to have control of the air to be able to sink the Royal Navy in the Chanel. Thus the credit for the Battle of Britain should in reality be credited in part by the RN. One thing has always puzzled me, why didn’t the RAF rotate pilots from the squadrons posted in the North and Scotland with the Home County squadrons during the BoB?

[@nicksykes4575]

Short answer............They did! But they did it with the whole squadron, not individual pilots.

[@anthonyburke5656]

@@nicksykes4575 I didn’t know that, I’ll have to check it out.

[@BFBCFTW]

In the 70s they did a weekend long wargame excercise at Sandhurst with senior British and German officers to determine if the German invasion would have worked. The Home Fleet absolutely ruined the invasion and all involved said it was a clear German defeat. Even the Germans. I don't think it would have ever worked.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

You're on the right track. Germany was never going to invade in 1940. Their strategic goal had always been the USSR for population expansion, resouces, especially oil. The Ural Bomber program was started in the mid 30's for that exact reason. Goering cancelled it in 1938.

[@anthonyburke5656]

@@bobsakamanos4469 Hi bobsakamanos, I seem to recall the Kriegsmarine building program until well after the invasion of France, was built upon NO POSSIBILTY of war with the West until 1949 at the earliest. The Nazi navy had FEWER than 39 seagoing U boats in September 1939. Doe it’s built his pre-war battle plans on a fleet of 400 U boats, which he planned to be built by 1950! Doenitz “hoped” he would win by deterrence, or, at worst, by a massive anti ship campaign driving the allies to the negotiation table. It’s foolish to think the thinkers in the Nazi navy didn’t appreciate the developments of aircraft, carriers, radar, sonar and, above all, the US industrial might. They did, the madmen of the Nazi Party didn’t.

[@101stssheavypanzerdivisisi5]

4:38 the bf 109 just goes spinning

[@markmerry1471]

IT WAS NOT A SPITFIRE HURRICANE

[@ericadams3428]

A brave but complex man

[@jimmytgoose476]

Complex as a euphemism for thoroughly unpleasant...

[@zen4men]

Are'nt we all!

[@zen4men]

@@jimmytgoose476 Some loved him, some loathed him, and there seems no doubt that he could be quite rude and unpleasant. Equally, far more examples exist, where people were inspired by his example, so overall, Bader touched far more people for the better than for worse. Which is why his name lives on. /

[@hawnyfox3411]

@ 07:52 = It's accepted by some, that "Butch Casson" cut Bader's a/c in half An "inadvertent collision" , made , accidentally, in the heat of combat. I've heard it said that Bader "kept up the pretence" of being chopped by a '109 (By that, I mean what he related to others mainly whilst in P.o.W camp)

[@thecelt4807]

tried to escape so many times that the Germans threatened to take away his prosthetic leg ha ha hah funny as f@#k what a guy what a story that generation and time must have been gold

[@srfrg9707]

Newspeak formulation : (Trigger warning. The RAF is a patriarcal institution glorifying toxic masculinity and excluding women from realising their dreams) His white male priviledges put him in the position to use his handicap to secure the ability we now have to be offended whenever one does not use our chosen pronoun. We ask all pictures or statues of him to be canceled and his name to be forgotten. Awomen.

[@Swamie55]

And after watching this a "This Is Your Life" episode about Sir Bader came up . And it was absolutely amazing!