Battle Of Britain
Discussion
The_Burg said:
WFH today, watched 'Reach for the Skies', if it's even vaguely true Douglas Bader was one hell of a cool bloke in his day.
He was a "mixed bag", from what I've read. Losing his legs was pretty much an act of stupidity, and he was stubborn and opinionated. A hero, undoubtedly, but in real life it was not that simple.The_Burg said:
WFH today, watched 'Reach for the Skies', if it's even vaguely true Douglas Bader was one hell of a cool bloke in his day.
Urban legend is that he was such a good fighter pilot because he had no legs. He didn't suffer so much from the g forces & the blood rushing away from his brain in tight turns.grumbledoak said:
The_Burg said:
WFH today, watched 'Reach for the Skies', if it's even vaguely true Douglas Bader was one hell of a cool bloke in his day.
He was a "mixed bag", from what I've read. Losing his legs was pretty much an act of stupidity, and he was stubborn and opinionated. A hero, undoubtedly, but in real life it was not that simple.But as you say he seemed to be a bit of a tosser, given what he went through, surely still a top bloke though?
750turbo said:
grumbledoak said:
The_Burg said:
WFH today, watched 'Reach for the Skies', if it's even vaguely true Douglas Bader was one hell of a cool bloke in his day.
He was a "mixed bag", from what I've read. Losing his legs was pretty much an act of stupidity, and he was stubborn and opinionated. A hero, undoubtedly, but in real life it was not that simple.But as you say he seemed to be a bit of a tosser, given what he went through, surely still a top bloke though?
Arrogant cock? Fair play, the reality lived up to the legend so justified.
(Any way was a damn good film truth or not, makes you wonder why modern films are so s
t, quite liked the rusty rivets etc, probably very close to the truth of how real fighter planes were).Wacky Racer said:
In my opinion "The Battle of Britain" film was crap...naff acting, but a few very good dogfight scenes
Far better "Angels one five" from 1952 with Jack Hawkins and John Gregson......
I think it's quite a good film actually. There are a few things that grate - like the Susannah York/Chritsopher Plummer sub plot - but it essentially tells the true story of the battle.Far better "Angels one five" from 1952 with Jack Hawkins and John Gregson......
And the bulk of pilots who flew in the Battle were not 18/19 year olds. Most of them were 21 to 27 years old or thereabouts - many of them (like Bader) pliots who had joined the RAf in the 1930s.
silverthorn2151 said:
The Battle of Britain is brilliant and Bader has always been one of my heros.
Don't forget he ended up in Colditz for pissing off 'Ze Germans'. That scores points in my book!
I read a great story, after the war some of the most famous RAF fighter pilots were invited to some sort of luftwaffe reunion, one couldn't make it so a couple of them (I think Sailor Malan and Al Deere) persuaded Bader to go, who was somewhat reluctant.. eventually he gave in. There were in a hotel bar on a balcony above the main bar, Bader wandered over to the railing, looked over, shook his head and said "My god, I never realised how many of the buggers we missed" Don't forget he ended up in Colditz for pissing off 'Ze Germans'. That scores points in my book!
I don't think he ever made his peace with his former opponents.Edited by Crafty_ on Friday 8th January 22:54
J.E.Johnson was the man, Bader was a hero no doubt but was out of the war for a long time due to getting shot down, Johnson was in the thick of it right through, try and find a copy of his book, it is a fantastic read and very candid, it was refreshing to hear a combat pilot speaking about his opponant with such high regard, especially Galland(sp?)
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