Douglas bader log book

Image caption sir douglas baders log book dates from 1929 to 1931 the log book in which legendary pilot sir douglas bader recorded the. Patrolled london with wing 242, 310, 19 squadrons 242 leading. A log book detailing the woodley airfield crash in which pilot sir douglas bader lost his legs is up for auction. His story is even more remarkable as following a crash in 1931 he. Even though he was in a matter of life and death during the accident, bader was capable to recover the health. During his time at cranwell, bader developed a reputation as a. Royal air force combat reports 19391945 the national archives. It tells the story of douglas bader a british ace who lost both legs as a result of some aerobatics in a plane crash in 1931. Image caption sir douglas baders log book dates from 1929 to 1931 the log book in which legendary pilot sir douglas bader recorded the crash which led to the loss of his legs is for sale along. We found 24 records in 19 states for douglas bader in the us. Hero raf pilot remained remarkably stoic even after losing legs. On 14 december 1931, douglas bader flew to woodley airfield near reading. The air ministry did reconsider douglas baders request for reinstatement and after a medical evaluation and other tests, he was sent to refresher flight training where he was evaluated as exceptional, a very rare qualification. Image caption the log book dates from 1929 to 1931 a log book by world war ii pilot sir douglas bader which records the crash in which he lost his legs has sold for.

One particular log book i was shown belonged to one of the most famous battle of britain aces, group captain sir douglas bader. Buster, trained arms and explosives dog who won 5 military campaign medals for his tours of duty in afghanistan, bosnia and iraq, pictured with his handler, flt sgt. Douglas baders life was immortalised in the film reach for the sky 1956 which told the tale of his heroism and active service as a fighter pilot ace with 20 confirmed victories. The book and the dustwrapper are in very good condition. Mg ta douglas baders buff logbook, formerly owned by the ww11 fighter ace between 19381945, the logbook bears witness to the fighter aces movement around raf fighter command during the hostilities and of course was signed by bader at each move.

The air ministry did reconsider douglas bader s request for reinstatement and after a medical evaluation and other tests, he was sent to refresher flight training where he was evaluated as exceptional, a very rare qualification. Following a visit to the raf college at cranwell, bader set his sights on becoming a pilot and won a place as a cadet at cranwell. May 16, 2017 second world war hero fighter pilot who lost both legs in crash inspired to fly on by douglas bader new book remembers colin hoppy hodgkinson, 19, who was so seriously injured it was thought. Baders wartime log book records fighting at the height of the battle of britain. Nov 16, 2011 image caption the log book dates from 1929 to 1931. What was douglas bader, the ww2 fighter pilot, like to. Baders only reference to the crash in his logbook was a typically understated. Material related to newsreel story bader in australia 5687.

His first log book, which ends shortly after his accident, is owned by a. The log book in which legendary pilot sir douglas bader recorded the crash which led to the loss of his legs is for sale along. Douglas baders stoical logbook entry on crash that cost. Ww2 spitfire pilots log book flies into uk auction. The average douglas bader is around 63 years of age with around 48% falling in to the age group of 6180. His story was told in the book and movie, reach for the sky. His loss of both legs in a flying accident in 1931 has been well documented. This book was written back in the mid1950s, but is still as exciting today and it was over half a century ago. The book documents sir douglas bader s flights in 1945, when he was shot down and captured. Oct 01, 2016 in his book fly for your life, the raf ace robert stanford tuck describes a meeting with bader at a conference to discuss the merits or otherwise of cannon over machine guns. Douglas baders stoical logbook entry on crash that cost him his legs set to fetch. Douglas bader the square, ip5 3sl ipswich, suffolk rated 4. This book has a lot of interesting information about his air combat missions as well as some of his raf comrades. In the 1950s, bader was working for shell oil and passed through montreal on a press tour.

Douglas baders log book dunkirk, may and june 1940 personal. Nowadays a decision might well be taken to refurbish the chassis especially given the pedigree but this was the 1960s. A log book by world war ii pilot sir douglas bader which records. During his time at cranwell, bader developed a reputation as a pilot of. If none of the above apply, you still need to read this book. Tuck was adamant that he would score more victories if his spitfire ha. Sir douglas bader was a british ww2 ace, double amputee, hero. The mayor of perth talking in front of the microphone with group captain douglas bader, legless war hero, sitting behind at the civic reception. Douglas baders log book battle of britain personal documents. Additionally, it was not known at the time that this was the ex douglas bader ta as this only came to light with the emergence of the original buff log book in bader. The meeting with sir douglas was a major hightlight too for mr sanderson. It is also fantastic to read information about the different versions of the spitfire and the hurricane. Auction house dominic winter is holding a themed sale to mark the 50th anniversary of the. The legendary pilot destroyed 22 enemy aircraft in the second.

Despite his incredible disability, when england declared war on nazi germany, douglas convinced the british raf to recommission him as a fl. Of all the battle of britain pilots, the name that is still the most famous is sir douglas bader. He tells the inspiring story of the battle of britain from the viewpoint of the few. Douglas bader was a legend in his lifetime and remains one today 100 years after his birth. With the english kicked out of europe, hitler quickly began laying the groundwork for an invasion of the kingdom and bader was called on to help keep the nazis out of england. Page by page, follow the journey of a young fighter pilot, from his training, through to his qualification and first flight in a spitfire, days before the start of the battle of britain. A page from douglas baders pilot log book, showing his exceptionalevaluation. A log book by world war ii pilot sir douglas bader which records the crash in which he lost his legs sells for. Previously unseen memorabilia from the famous righter ace douglas bader, including his log book and artefacts from his time in captivity in colditz castle, will also be display. Other stories include the international story of american nurses, known as the winged angels, supporting injured troops transported in c47 dakota aircraft to bases. Douglas bader hoists one of his artificial legs into the cockpit before another flight it was a disaster that changed his life and might have crushed the spirit of a lesser man. Bader made the following laconic entry in his logbook after the. Sir douglas robert steuart bader archives this day in aviation.

Reach for the sky, by paul brickhill was first published in 1954. Oct 28, 2011 image caption sir douglas bader s log book dates from 1929 to 1931. Douglas bader s logbook show his first kill at the evacuation of dunkirk. What was douglas bader, the ww2 fighter pilot, like to know. Douglas baders log book is one of the treasures in the museums archive collection. At its most benign my daughters wish that douglas bader had a dog called rover it is a goodhearted and understandable wish that. During the war, who would have thought that someone busily dropping bombs on the germans would eventually be made a saint. On the right is an extract from a combat report written by douglas bader. Douglas bader s log book distinguished flying cross award. In his book fly for your life, the raf ace robert stanford tuck describes a meeting with bader at a conference to discuss the merits or otherwise of cannon over machine guns. After losing both legs in an air crash in 1931 and being dismissed as a cripple by the royal air force, he fought his way back into the cockpit of a spitfire to become one of the great heroes of the battle of britain. Previously unseen memorabilia from the famous fighter ace douglas bader, including his log book and artefacts from his time in captivity in colditz castle, will also be displayed.

Douglas robert steuart bader was born in london on february 21, 1910. A page from douglas baders pilot log book, showing his exceptional evaluation. A page from douglas baders pilot log book, showing his. Leonard joyce 18821939, both his legs were amputated one above and one below the knee. The subject, douglas bader, was amazing, almost beyond belief. It would, in all probability, have been the last anyone heard of douglas bader. Sir douglas bader was famous as the british fighter pilot who had lost both legs in a prewar crash. Bader s wartime log book records fighting at the height of the battle of britain. Meeting douglas bader the battle of britain memorial the. Mg ta douglas bader s buff logbook, formerly owned by the ww11 fighter ace between 19381945, the log book bears witness to the fighter aces movement around raf fighter command during the hostilities and of course was signed by bader at each move.

Bristol had his own rough side too but those who knew him still thought him a great man. According to the bbc sold at auction yeterday, and mention made to the owner of a spitfire. A good student, bader won a scholarship to st edwards school in oxford. World roller skating championships at birmingham, won by astrid bader.

When douglas bader crashed his plane while performing aerobatic stunts, he suffered horrendous injuries that cost him his legs. His story is even more remarkable as following a crash in 1931 he had lost both his legs. Feb 02, 2015 douglas bader s log book auctioned 16. Sir douglas baders log book from crash is auctioned bbc news. Signed by douglas bader on the front free endpaper.

A log book by world war ii pilot sir douglas bader which records the crash in which he lost his legs has sold for. Limbless exservicemen, including douglas bader, meet to play golf. Sir douglas bader was a british ww2 ace, double amputee. Royal air force museum flying officer bader was posted to no.

Douglas bader was a royal air force flying ace during the second world war. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain bluejacket books 9781557502223. After losing both legs in a 1931 air crash and being dismissed by the royal air force, he fought his way back into the cockpit of a spitfire and became one of the great heroes of the battle of britain. The top state of residence is california, followed by florida.

Douglas bader was born in london, england on february 21, 1910. Sir douglas baders log book including the entry that recounts the famous crash that cost him his legs has gone under the hammer. So, the british sent a plane on a risky mission to drop a replacement into the pow camp, despite german air defenses. Douglas bader s log book dunkirk, may and june 1940.

Having been on the brink of death, he recovered, retook flight training, passed his check flights and then requested reactivation as a pilot. Narrows the field a bit, but a pity it was not the raf. Pilots flying logbook, september 1928 to 27 october 1932, in which bader recorded the aerobatic accident in reading on 14 december 1931, which resulted in the loss of his legs, with the comment crashed slowrolling near ground. Dambuster guy gibsons medals to be displayed in lincoln. The raf dropped artificial leg from a bomber to help bader. Forums aviation history and nostalgia douglas bader s logbook. His connection with doncaster is that he once lived in the old rectory in the quaint village of sprotbrough. A charismatic leader and fearless pilot he refused to let his severe disability loss of both legs in a flying accident ground him. He was credited with 22 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged. In this intimate and lively biography, authorized by bader himself and complemented by his private papers, flying logbooks and personal notes, laddie lucas.

Sir douglas later wrote back personally thanking me for the log book. Additionally, it was not known at the time that this was the exdouglas bader ta as this only came to light with the emergence of the original buff log book in baders name. Narrows the field a bit, but a pity it was not the raf museum. The famed doubleamputee pilot and war hero, sir douglas bader, was stuck in france with a heavily damaged prosthetic leg in 1941.

Log in or sign up for facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. A page from douglas bader s pilot log book, showing his exceptionalevaluation. Group captain, sir douglas bader, dso, dfc, was a flying ace who flew in the second world war, despite losing both legs in a previous crash. This midgets accompanying continuation logbook, stamped throughout the early war years, shows that it was registered to douglas robert steuart bader on 14th january 1938, his address being given as west kensington court, london w14. Douglas bader by robert jackson goodreads share book. Sir douglas baders log book from crash is auctioned bbc. There are three changes of address recorded, the final being raf coltishall, norfolk in 1946. A page from douglas bader s pilot log book, showing his exceptional evaluation. Nov 17, 2011 sir douglas bader s log book including the entry that recounts the famous crash that cost him his legs has gone under the hammer.

Lympne and reach for the sky douglas baders return to fight happened here. But that he overcame losing his legs in a flying accident in 1931 to achieve all that he did has made him a flying legend. The first time i met him when when i presented him with the log book of one of his favourite pilots who wrote it during the battle of britain. One leg had been removed below the knee, the other above the knee. Cassell military paperbacks new ed by paul brickhill isbn. The squadron was equipped with the supermarine spitfire.

After a lonely group captain sir douglas bader, whose dazzling success as a fighter pilot with artificial legs made him a national hero, was a british national treasure. The son of civil engineer frederick bader and his wife jessie, douglas spent his first two years with relatives on the isle of man as his father had to return to work in india. My father met bader when they were prisoners of war together. The famous quote rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men is in fact attributed to none other than douglas bader himself. Douglas baders logbook according to the bbc sold at auction yeterday, and mention made to the owner of a spitfire. Bader had a healthy disrespect for following orders and a mild contempt for authority. I would have loved to read douglas bader s bio extensively. Ok, lets kick off with the first on the list, sir douglas bader. The film reach for the sky brought baders life into cinemas, and robert jacksons classic biography was the first to document his life.

He was shot down over enemy territory and held at colditz for his frequent attempts at escape. Douglas bader with the 1st cricket xi, royal air force college cranwell, 1929. He destroyed 22 enemy aircraft and was a larger than life character which alone made him a wellknown name. Douglas baders log book battle of britain personal. Autobiography of world war two luftwaffe pilot hans ulrich rudel, the most highly decorated german serviceman of ww2, and the only one to be. He was known to frequently bend the rules and regulations. Bader was forced to retire as a pilot due to the medical reason after he lost both of his legs.

Bader joined the raf in 1928, and was commissioned in 1930. If you have ever suffered serious setbacks in life, particularly due to physical injury, you need to read this book. In december 1931, while attempting some aerobatics, he crashed and lost both his legs. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain. If you are a history buff, particularly of ww2, you need to read this book. He had his rough side for sure but he also showed indomitable spirit and courage. The douglas bader foundation was formed in honour of bader in 1982 by family and friendsmany also former raf pilots who had flown with bader during the second world war. Most of the british population must surely have heard of the exploits of the icon that was douglas bader, through the book and 1950s film biopic reach for the sky. Even alan bristow chunked bader into a swimming pool and declared him a tin legged git at one time.