DOUGLAS BADER

by David Turner

Based on extensive interviews which the author had with Douglas Bader during the last thirteen years of his Bader's life, this biography tells the full story from his childhood to his work with the disabled in later life. After a flying accident in which he lost his legs, Douglas Bader was invalided out of the RAF. At the outbreak of war in 1939 he was recalled to the RAF and returned to flying. He fought in the Battle of Britain and later in nearly one hundred offensive fighter patrols. Following a mid-air collision he was captured and became a prisoner-of-war and was imprisoned in Colditz. The story of his war-time activities, both in the air and as a POW, is told in some detail and makes fascinating reading. These activities helped him to achieve celebrity status and in later life much of his time was given to promoting causes for the disabled. John Frayn Turner's account of a remarkable life is a fitting tribute to one of the country's most heroic figures.

Genres: History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ian Hallam]

The biography of Douglas Bader throughout his early years flying, then the aftermath of his crash in which he lost both legs. Following the lead up to WWII Douglas was allowed to re enlist in the Royal Air Force and the book continues with his exploits inn WWII, his marriage to Thelma and there travels after the war ended.

[Howard Johnstone]

It glosses over his arrogance and certainly the huge problems he caused for other POWs while in POW camps. He was apparently insufferable and they were pleased when they could get rid of him back to England. it is more an hagiography.

[Roy A. Hughes]

This is a different biography. There is a large section given over to the exploits of Bader's squadron during the Battle of Britain, even after Bader had left the particular fight, which threw little light on the man himself. However, over all the book is written with obvious affection for Douglas Bader who was certainly a remarkable man