Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader achieved prominence as a Royal Air Force fighter ace during the Second World War despite losing both legs in a 1931 air crash. Born in London in 1910, he overcame a near-fatal accident to return to active cockpit duty, ultimately securing 22 aerial victories before his eventual capture in 1941.
Early Development and Military Training
Bader attended Temple Grove School and St Edward's School, where he established a reputation for aggressive athleticism, particularly in rugby. He enrolled at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in 1928, receiving his commission in 1930. During his training, he displayed a rebellious nature, often engaging in prohibited activities like speeding, yet he maintained a focus on his athletic pursuits, including cricket, hockey, and boxing.
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In December 1931, while attempting low-level aerobatics, Bader crashed his aircraft. The accident necessitated the amputation of both legs, one above the knee and the other below. Although he faced medical retirement, he underwent a rigorous recovery process, mastered flying with prosthetic limbs, and successfully passed his flight re-certification. His persistence ensured his return to front-line service upon the outbreak of war in 1939.
Wartime Service and Imprisonment
During the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, Bader served as a fighter leader, scoring numerous confirmed and probable aerial victories. In August 1941, he was shot down over German-occupied France and became a prisoner of war. Despite his physical impairment, he made several escape attempts before being interned at Colditz Castle until his liberation by the First United States Army in April 1945.
Post-War Life and Advocacy
Bader permanently left the Royal Air Force in 1946 to pursue a career in the oil industry. His wartime experiences were popularized in the 1950s through a book and film titled Reach for the Sky. In his later years, he became a noted campaigner for the disabled, receiving a knighthood in the 1976 Queen's Birthday Honours for his advocacy. He died of a heart attack in 1982 at the age of 72.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 February 1910, London
- Died: 5 September 1982, Chiswick
- Commissioned: 1930
- Military Rank: Group Captain
- Primary Occupations: Military personnel, aircraft pilot, cricketer
- Awards: Knight Bachelor, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Notable Burial Site: St Clement Danes
- Aerial Victories: 22
Questions readers ask
Did Douglas Bader play professional cricket?
He was selected for the Royal Air Force cricket team and played a first-class match against the Army at The Oval in 1931.
What happened to Douglas Bader after he was shot down?
He was captured in occupied France, attempted multiple escapes, and was held at Colditz Castle until his liberation in April 1945.
