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Douglas Bader. Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, DL, FRAeS ( / ˈbɑːdər /; 21 February 1910 – 5 September 1982) was a Royal Air Force flying ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 22 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged.
- 1928–1933, 1939–1946
- Group Captain
- Tangmere Wing, Duxford Wing, No. 242 Squadron
- Royal Air Force
Douglas Bader’s Upbringing. Group Captain Bader, a veteran of the air battles over Dunkirk before becoming an ace and inspirational fighter tactician, was a fearless maverick. He refused to let a severe disability keep him on the ground and out of uniform and emerged as the most famous RAF pilot of World War II.
Britain's most heroic Spitfire pilots from World War II. An aerobatics enthusiast, Bader was keen to show off his skills in the air, despite the fact many of the stunts he pulled off were out of bounds to RAF officers.
- Bader lost both legs in a misjudged plane manoeuvre. Just 18 months into his RAF career, in 1931, Bader lost both legs while training to defend his Hendon Air Show ‘Pairs’ title.
- He worked in the oil industry. Following his devastating crash, Bader was discharged from the RAF and, aged 23, found employment at the Asiatic Petroleum Company, a joint venture between Shell and Royal Dutch.
- Bader was a hugely successful air fighter. Throughout his military career, Bader was credited with 22 aerial victories, 4 shared victories, 6 probables, 1 shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged.
- He may have been the victim of friendly fire. On 9 August 1941, while on a raid over the French coast, the fuselage, tail and fin of Bader’s Spitfire were destroyed, forcing Bader to bail out into enemy territory, where he was captured.
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Feb 21, 2021 · The extraordinary life of Douglas Bader. Sunday 21 February 2021 | Roger Kershaw | Records and research | 53 comments. Born 111 years ago today, Douglas Bader would grow up to be a Royal...
Aug 30, 2020 · Category: British heroes. Clue: World War II fighter ace who once had his prosthetic legs stolen by a young Richard Branson. Answer: “Who is Douglas Bader?” Branson, founder of the Virgin Group...
Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, CBE, DSO, DFC, FRAeS, DL, became a hero and legend in his own lifetime. Douglas Bader was born in London in 1910. Douglas won a scholarship to St Edward’s School in Oxford. Followed by a place to the RAF College in Cranwell where he captained the Rugby team and was a champion boxer.
