MigBuster 2,884 Posted September 17, 2018 Reach For the Sky [The Book] very inspiring story from someone who by rights could have sat out the war due to losing his legs in a flying accident. One measure of how powerful the Human spirit can be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Dora 171 Posted September 18, 2018 Actually Bader, though a very (very) brave man, was never popular within the RAF for his (verging on arrogance) extreme opinions. Many never forgave him for his role in undermining Dowding and Park, the victors of the Battle of Britain, in favour of Leigh-Mallory. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
33LIMA 972 Posted November 26, 2018 According to research featured in an issue of 'After the Battle' mag a couple of years ago, the famous film wasn't quite right when it had Bader's Spit V's tail chopped off by a colliding 109 on a 1941 sweep over France. He was supposedly shot down by one of his own pilots in an attack from astern (by mistake!! He wasn't THAT unpopular!). Happened after Bader got separated and was flying level and alone. The author says that Bader met the 'offender' later at Colditz or some other camp, and from the conversation they had, it seems Bader and perhaps the other pilot worked it out, but kept it quiet to spare embarrassment, or perhaps because it was only a suspicion and he wasn't completely sure Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RUSTYMORLEY 162 Posted December 2, 2018 On 9/18/2018 at 6:25 PM, Mike Dora said: Actually Bader, though a very (very) brave man, was never popular within the RAF for his (verging on arrogance) extreme opinions. Many never forgave him for his role in undermining Dowding and Park, the victors of the Battle of Britain, in favour of Leigh-Mallory. I think that his anger towards senior officers was born out of frustration, and the extreme desire to get a crack at the enemy in the air. He was a real fighter pilot and did not like the politics and all the red tape that comes with the administration of the RAF by stuffy upper crust officers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+guuruu 5,910 Posted December 3, 2018 (edited) On 18.09.2018 at 7:25 PM, Mike Dora said: Many never forgave him for his role in undermining Dowding and Park, the victors of the Battle of Britain, in favour of Leigh-Mallory. True, but all were partial right. When Mallory's Big Wing was total crap in BoB (single sqns just reacted faster in air defense), it was good solution for offensive flights over France. Yup, it was serious conflict in Fighter Command after BoB and when Dowding did his part and should be retired, Park was just accidental victim of his loyalty to Dowding. Hard to say who was right, but Bader wasn't only one against Dowding. Hard choices, hard decisions ... Edited December 3, 2018 by guuruu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
