All of us are flawed - we are human beings. I don't believe in 'war heroes' as being paragons ; they all have many facets. For me, I deeply admire what Guy Gibson did on the Dams Raid - but what a conflicted character, highly unpleasant in many ways.
Bader was undoubtedly insufferable to many and without doubt could be intolerant and boorish. But....
'He showed me quite clearly by his example the way in which a man should behave in time of war and his spirit buoyed me up through many dark days long after he himself became a prisoner of war'.
The words were written by Group Captain Sir Hugh Dundas DSO DFC, who was 20/21 at the time he flew with Bader.
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