Sir Douglas Bader's tactics criticised by veterans.

[Totenhead]

Sorry Nick, you mentioned you dont regard him as a Battle of Britain Hero, then what do you regard him as? I know he was regarded as an arrogant foolish fellow, but in my eyes, to do what he did, to overcome his obvious drawbacks, makes him a national british hero

[Woolgar]

He never fought in the Battle of Britain. Yes he lost his legs in a training flight that made him a national hero.


Nick

[Totenhead]

Thats harsh Nick

I never refered to him as a Battle of Britain Hero. He was a brave man, full of " spunk " as i believe they said in those days, ...lol

Surely there are other Bader opinions out there //

[Adrian]

Anyone who can lose both legs in a flying accident yet still climb into a Spitfire, still shoot down enemy planes, survive being shot down and escape from prisoner of war camps on several occasions is a hero in my eyes despite the controversy over his tactics.

[Woolgar]

I think the heros of the Battle of Britain were the 17/18 year olds who had only 10 hours flying training and were the first to confront the Luftwaffe..

I understand Baders 'Big Wing' was a back up. This is only my opinion and I dont want to offend any Bader fans

Nick

[Larry C]

It amazes me that young guys like that went up against seasoned dog fighters. Pretty cool

[Totenhead]

Adrian, well said, bravo old chap! He flew Hurricanes as well I believe, I prefer them, there was a Hurricane Training Airfield not far from me on the Duke of Westminster’s Estate and also an advanced Spitfire Training Airfield just up the road at RAF Sealand.

[Woolgar]

Adrian is correct. But any 17 year old boy who is told to get into a Hurricane with limited flying experience let alone combat experience and face what they did and die in the act, is more of a hero than Bader

Nick

[Totenhead]

I think the heros of the Battle of Britain were the 17/18 year olds who had only 10 hours flying training and were the first to confront the Luftwaffe..

I understand Baders 'Big Wing' was a back up. This is only my opinion and I dont want to offend any Bader fans

Nick

Nick

No offence at all, i totally agree with you, the 17/18 year olds were the true hero's, as in the other theatre's of the war. But stop and think for a moment, do you not think Bader inspired those young fellows, gave them the courage to do what they did ? He may not have been a battle of britain veteran, a fighter ace as it were, he did fly sortees over Dunkirk, but he did inspire younger pilots i feel

- - Updated - -

Adrian is correct. But any 17 year old boy who is told to get into a Hurricane with limited flying experience let alone combat experience and face what they did and die in the act, is more of a hero than Bader

Nick

Do you not think leadership plays any part in combat ??

[Woolgar]

Sorry but this is only my selfish opinion.

Bader played no essential part in the Battle of Britain. Yes he is a great propaganda hero, however I dont believe he inspired the true young heros of the battle of Britain who displayed pure duty and guts

Nick