Sir Douglas Bader is one of the greatest heroes from the Second World War, credited with not only 22 aerial victories and four shared victories, but for also inspiring a generation.
He was also known as the legless fighter pilot after losing both his legs when his Bulldog fighter crashed during an aerobatic display in the 1930s. Although he passed away at the age of 72 in 1982, his legend lives on.
A funny story of the Air Force great has gone viral again on social media. Originally shared in a newspaper on the 35th anniversary of his death on September 5, 2017, a man known as Grant Tucker shared his fondest memory of Bader.
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the death of Sir Douglas Bader and I couldnt let it pass without this story about the RAF hero, Tucker wrote. He was giving a talk at an upmarket girls school about his time as a piolet in the Second World War.
So there were two of the f***ers behind me, three f***ers to my right, another f***er on the left, he told the audience. The headmistress went pale and interjected: Ladies, the Fokker was a German aircraft. Sir Douglas replied: That may be madam, but these f***ers were in Messerschmitts.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Early in my career, one of my instructors, an ex RAF fitter absolutely loathed Douglas Bader, the one way we could get over our classes was to bring his name up, and away he would go. I suspect Bader may not have been the best person to be working under.
Possum, having met the man I find hard to believe that quote would have been made at that venue however, I can surely believe that it could have been made in the mess!!! He was a courageous and dedicated man whom I had a great admiration for.
-- Edited by Magnarc on Friday 6th of July 2018 02:05:29 PM
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Those who wish to reap the blessings of freedom must, as men, endure the fatigue of defending it.
I loved watching those old English war movies when I was younger particularly the one about Bader & the one about the Dam Busters with the bouncing bomb.
My mother worked at the Austin Motor Works in Birmingham during the war. It made components for Spitfire & Hurricane fighters.
When we were in Birmingham (where I was born) a few years back we went to the old factory.
On an outside wall at an upper level of the building is a huge door with an upward sloping ramp where they used to fly the planes directly out of the factory.
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Cheers Keith & Judy
Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
My wife's family were lifelong friends of a couple who had the company that made and fitted Bader's tin legs.
They always said he was a Bastard to work with. They also said he was such a stubborn Bastard , it was that streak that helped him cope and walk again.
No doubt Tin Legs Bader was a an extremely courageous man, a British war hero who never let the fact that he had lost both of his legs prevent him from defending his country during their biggest hour of need. That's a funny story about his speech Possum, I don't how true it is but it would be nice to think that he had maintained his sense of humour after all that he had been through..
A little off topic but this week it was the 100th anniversary of the battle of Le Hamel where Australian General Sir John Monash proved that he was one of the greatest generals of the first world war. It was also the first time that American troops had been commanded in a battle by a non American. He was the first to pioneer tactics of coordinating tanks with infantry and air cover and unlike a lot of the other generals on the western front he was able to achieve all his objectives without the usual sacrifice of many thousands of lives. General Monash was knighted on the battlefield by King George which was the first time that this had happened in over 200 years.
The sad part is that when I was at school back in the 60s I only ever learnt about one of those great men - I'll let you guess which one that was.
The reply stating that Bader lost his legs during an aerial display was only partly correct as he was doing a solo very low level, inverted ie. upside down beat up of the airfield when he lost control and wrecked himself and the aircraft. He may have been a hero later but when my father met him he described him as an arrogant showoff .
Now, my memory may be playing tricks on me. But Im sure Douglas Bader came to Oz in the early 60s. Im sure he visited my primary school at Holsworthy. The school was 100% army brats and we had regular visits by war heros from WW1 and 2.
