Wonderful to see all those famous people and yet so sad that none are alive today. Douglas Bader was an inspiration to me as a young boy in the 1950's after I saw the film "Reach for the Sky". Little did I know then I would lose both my legs 50 years later. I still gain mental strength even today when I think of that great man.
Unfortunately Reach for the Sky was total balls. My grandfather worked with Bader and did not have a good thing to say about him, apart from he was a total self serving bastard. Bader was shot down not had a collision as he claimed and was portrayed in the film, Galland confirmed that he was shot down. Bader lost his legs doing a low roll at 50 feet totally against all regulations that he continually broke. He wrote off two Spitfires through bad flying, over claimed victories immensely claiming 3 on one day alone, his total score was 4. His role in the Battle of Britain was minor apart from pissing everyone else off with his theory of the big wing which naturally would have benefitted him. As a POW he was detested by fellow inmates.
My Dad lost both his legs in WWII, stood on a land mine in Italy. He wrote to Douglas Bader in 1946 and received a reply with tips and help in coping, and my Dad went on to live a full life, get married, raise 4 kids, drive a car, build me a tree house, swam in the surf and held down a regular job. He decided at the onset to be positive, and he stuck to it.
Great story, thanks for sharing. My father lost a leg covering the retreat from Dunkirk. He spent years in prisoner of war camps. He always claimed to have been lucky as his sergeant had his head blown off. After the war he too lived a full life, dropping dead at the age of 80, getting out of bed. He had known for a year that he had lung cancer and told no one. That generation knew what suffering was, but didn't complain. They just were grateful to be alive, and knew that every day was a bonus.
This has to be the best presentation that I have seen on RU-vid. Sir Douglas Bader and his comrades and foes alike are all inspirations of a bygone age. I thank God for them all and truly believe that they all RIP. I hope that future generations will remember these heroes that gave their all so that we could have so much.
Unfortunately, we piss upon the heroes of WW2 who risked - and gave - their lives to fight fascism, by supporting the fascism we now live under (Indefinite detention without charges? Even torture and assassination without charges? The trampling of Magna Carte? Millions of innocent civilians dead? THIS is our world today!)
A Yank at the end of the Oregon trail; say'n thanks to the folks uploading this, and letting an old guy learn about your hero: Sir Douglas Bader. I found the movie first cause, I like WWII movies. What a treat this program turned out to be, good people are truly hard to come by..
You really need to stop learning RIGHT NOW! You might not be able to take the shock discovering that AMERICA DIDN'T WIN THE WAR ALL BY ITSELF. A common misconception if you only watch American war films...
@@koitorob no Britain won the war on it own of course...we won the war ya ya ya ....no one else at all helped you out....just English and no one else!!!!!!!! Ive seen enough british war films to know what they were pushing!!!!!!!
@@markharrison2544 ,,,, there is only one POS here,what a cowardly thing to say, you were obviously standing behind the door when they were handing out courage,,you POS
@@redskua He can't help it as it is just a softy snowflake, and to them, anyone of note is a racist. They don't really know what racism is, but they like to use it a lot................sad really......:)
What a trbute to a true great of our recent past. A truely extraordinary and courageous human being, gentleman and warrior. Thank you Sir Douglas for all your inspirational exploits.
Simplesmente fantastico!!!! Um dos maiores ases do mundo, um alemao e outro ingles. Durante a guerra se enfrentaram e mesmo rivais, se ajudaram. Depois da guerra se tornaram grandes amigos, Uma licao de vida para todos!!! Fantastico!!!!
Bader was extremely touched by the letter from the Queen Mother, almost tearful. An amazing man and it's thanks to awesome characters like him that Britain remained free from Nazi tyranny. Rest in peace, Sir Douglas Bader,C.B.E.,D.S.O.,D.F.C. and bar.
@Johny2bikes In my youth, I met Leonard Cheshire VC quite a few times, a true gentleman, met Stanford Tuck, he was similar but enjoyed banter, flew with Jack Currie and many more...None were as nasty and as rude as Bader and none had a good word for him
I had the great honor to meet Sir Douglas Bader's nephew, also a former Wing Commander in the RAF, Julian Stapleton. He showed me the logbook from DB's base, found by an aunt in Australia. I manage to take some copies of the pages from when DB got shot down over Calais. It said "Bader did not return". I still got the copies. One of my childhood heroes.
proper hero..why would he sign autographs?he was RAF not a movie star..he didn't suffer fools either.which I guess today means arrogant..God bless u and thank you Douglas.rip
What are you upset about? Because it is 81% white? You are pathetic. People who hark back to the days of Empire are utterly clueless. The Empire did nothing for the average Briton, we toiled down the mines, in factories, and died on the battlefield. For what? So the wealthy and aristocracy could have even more wealth and power. The heroes of the war fought against people with your small-minded worldview. Hitler was able to manipulate and utilise people like you who are obsessed with race and nationalism to take power and start his war. It's just sad people never learn. You have the fantasy view of Britain in the past, it's nostalgia deluded and wasn't that great. I'd much rather live in Britain now than at any other time, it's objectively better by almost every measure.
5th September 1982, 6 months after this show was aired Bader died of heart attack. Almost 40 years after this show was aired most if not all of the personalities seen are also now deceased through the march of time. May they all rest in peace and Douglas Bader thanks for your service.😎
Notice how General Adolf Galland adores Sir Douglas. And Sir Douglas' eyes water the second he sees him. What gentlemen, a different breed of men to today's generations. Makes me wish I was born in that era.
It is the respect to each other, fighterpilots are special people, much of them become close friends. There are other videos here, like : Warbirds in review Shorty Rankin and Gunther Rall, or Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown.
I will always remember the day in the early 1970's when Sir Douglas Bader came to my school (Pimlico in London) to make a presentation. The school hall was massive and was completely filled with kids. We didn't know who was coming to do this presentation, but we were stunned when he walked in in that inimitable way he walked. Without a lie, every single pupil in the hall (at least 600 of us) once we realised who it was, leapt to our feet cheering and waving our arms about, it was absolute bedlam for at least a minute until he asked us to quieten down, which of course we obeyed immediately (it was about the only thing we ever did obey). We were young kids, but we knew exactly who this man was and what he had achieved (as well as what we owed him - and others like him) If anyone thinks this man wasn't a hero in the true sense of the world, I would be very willing to educate you! Hats of to you Sir Douglas, you were one hell of a bloke! At this point there are 109 thumbs down - I wonder who they may be?" X box warriors" I presume.
@James Henderson How was he a Nazi lover. He spent his time shooting them down you dope. Its a shame one of them never landed on the house of your grandparents, then we wouldn't have had petulant little boys like you to put up with. The thing is, we had parents who lived through those days & we were not brainwashed little lefties like you. What the fuck would someone like you know about these sort of people eh....fuck all!
@@ericwilliams2317 I know little Jimmy Hendersons wet nurse, she says hes always peeing in his incontinence pants and bedwetting is a constant issue. So be tender, one day he'll understand as he matures.😫😖😜
Never has that red book come so close to splitting, this episode should be shown in schools, forget Schwarzenegger, Stallone etc. this was a REAL action hero
They wouldn't show that in schools today. most of the children don't know a thing about the war. They are fed Africa week or black history month. What has happened to our country?
What are you upset about? Because it is 81% white? You are pathetic. People who hark back to the days of Empire are utterly clueless. The Empire did nothing for the average Briton, we toiled down the mines, in factories, and died on the battlefield. For what? So the wealthy and aristocracy could have even more wealth and power. The heroes of the war fought against people with your small-minded worldview. Hitler was able to manipulate and utilise people like you who are obsessed with race and nationalism to take power and start his war. It's just sad people never learn. You have the fantasy view of Britain in the past, it's nostalgia deluded and wasn't that great. I'd much rather live in Britain now than at any other time, it's objectively better by almost every measure.
Absolutely inspirational! He always looked to sacrifice and serve. Brave, selfless, humble. The vast majority of leaders today are a sad contrast to Douglas Badger.
I'm not ashamed to admit I am sobbing...can you just imagine the typical ' hero ' or celebrity we would have on this today ? Someone off love Island ? This was an incredible episode..on a side note, Sir John Mills is a personal hero in our family..when my Grandad was at war and people were quite literally living in poverty, Sir John gave his little boys clothes and toys to my Gran, to help with my Uncle David, who was just 18 months old..sadly my lovely Gran died at just 36, but his quiet kindness and generosity to our family ( who lived on the same street ) during this terrible time , will never be forgotten. Not all heroes wear capes 😔
To be honest they are normally handed out to wealthy actors and singer's, This is your life is often about very wealthy people giving each other a pat on the back and telling everyone how great they are. So it's good see a non famous person on the show for a change, unfortunately ratings for this episode when broadcast were quite low which is often the case, sadly if he'd been in a sitcom or film star than the ratings would have been high
Christ. I’m in tears. The bravery and honour of these people. The women in France who helped him escape - what bravery. This is just one of the most tremendous programmes I’ve seen.
Wow - I never knew that Adolf Galland actually came on This is Your Life to meet and pay tribute to Douglas Bader. Incredible footage and everyone's really respectful...
They were very good friends for a long time after the war. After being shot down Bader was invited to Gallands airfield by his unit and was shown around a Bf109. They held each other in high regard.
@@paulhicks6667 Such is your NARROW mindset... He faught for HIS country when called to do so.... That is ALL that can be asked of him. The people.. The ENGLISH People that applauded him on that day thought so as well... Why cannot you?
So sad War, you can see it is not the Men and women, but for the greed and entitlement of Dictators and their ilk , the British and Germans are Cousins and bear no malice to each other RIP Douglas and Adolfo Galland.
Someone who can truly wear the badge of Legend. I don't care if he was a bit arrogant - he got on and did what he had to do. Huge respect to him and all of The Few.
@@tonyhaynes9080 No one has the right to be arrogant. These war heroes expect special treatment which I disagree. I would liked to have knocked his block off, but that would have been arrogant of me.
This genuinely made me emotional. I would give anything to spend an hour with all of those brave heroes. It makes me so sad as a 29 year old who’s grandfather flew spitfires in the war also, to know that so many of my generation and younger have such little appreciation for what these brave men did for us. I’m sure they’re also turning in their graves at how so many young people have little to no patriotism for their country anymore and also seem to want to undermine everything that these men and women fort so valiantly for. Rest in peace chaps and thank you for everything you did for us. God bless.
What they didn't say, and is clearly seen in the photo of this visit in the book, and that was the cocked pistol aiming at him just in case he did try and escape in the 109.
@Julius Agricola I agree. Not all were Nazis. My uncle served in the LRDG, you'll know about that ?. He met Rommel once, briefly as a pow inTobruk. Uncle Eddy said Rommel was a true gentleman. Did his best for the pows and his own men.🧐🏴
@@tonyhaynes9080 In fact that was not a cocked pistol pointing at him it was indeed a pair of gloves the guy was holding, the pistol theory was disproved long ago by Galland and others and was propaganda at its best .
Wow im in awww at seeing two ww2 fighter pilots that once was trying too kill each other now hugging each other. This video is awesome total respect too douglas bader and adolf galland gentlemen at war gentlemen in peace best friends in heart. Respect i was born in the wrong centuary .. R.I.P. douglas bader ...
Probably one of the best of This is your Life,How wonderful to see the freindship between Sir Douglas and General Galland(two legends).It goes to show that people can make peace!!
The greatest generation indeed. Seeing all those former fighter pilots together with a former adversary (Adolph Galland ) was incredible and actually got me quite emotional. Gladiators of the sky, the few, who fought off a formidable enemy (Luftwaffe) saving dear old Blighty from possible invasion. They're all, or nearly all, sadly gone however they will always be remembered and for the huge debt we owe them. We won't see their like again.
I heard that in the '70's a gentleman wrote to Sir Douglas asking him to write to his mother who had just had a leg amputated and wasn't doing well as she had admired him so much during the war. The following day Sir Douglas turned up with an enormous bunch of flowers and she started to make a full recovery from then on.
Sir Douglas is an inspiration and a true hero. Many of the folks on that stage that fought and won the Battle of Britain deserve knighthoods but never received them. When they are given to entertainers today, it so degrades the honor. Sir Douglas is the gold standard. And to think that he received this distinction for his meaningful work with the disabled rather than his WW2 exploits.
Hello from Australia. As a young north Qld woman pilot I was shocked to be invited to a Marquee to meet Sir Douglas Bader in 1981 at the Schofields Air Show in NSW. It was love at first sight. He exuded such charisma, such brilliant blue eyes, yet such a commanding presence. I was quite aware of his aviation history, his escapism abilities, and his unbelievable bravery. I will never forget the encounter or the man. Without a doubt - Britain's secret weapon - his reputational impact on all those service men and women who fought on despite the shocking losses. How much he must have inspired those around the world to contribute to the war effort in any way they could, despite age, infirmity or whatever. That in retirement he continued to serve the community is a testament to the strength of his character. May God Bless Him.
@King Royal Really? Germany was intent on its own form of colonialism, Britain already had an empire, so was it really the case that we fought to preserve the empire, or was it the case we fought to end an evil regime, we had a pact with Poland, if Germany hadn't attacked Poland then we would not have fought so kind of turns your theory on its head really.
@King Royal Are you being serious? The Germans and Poles hated each other for years even before the war began, in 1939 Poland became the first country the Germans invaded in open war thus causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany, Poland being an ally of Britain who was allied with France, Honestly, if you are going to argue such points one really needs to do ones research so as not to look foolish in front of others.
@King Royal Point 1, they did not Allie, Germany merely gave assurances that it would not attack Poland if they annexed part of Czechoslovakia, Germany allowed this because Hitler thought it would make it easier to blame Poland for aggressive acts thus giving him legitimate cause to attack Poland later on. The Germans were delighted with the outcome. They were happy to give up a provincial rail center to Poland. It was indeed a small sacrifice, spread the blame of the partition of Czechoslovakia, made Poland an accomplice in the process, and confused the issue as well as political expectations. Poland was accused of being an accomplice of Nazi Germany. In November 1938, Poland crossed into Slovakia where a minor firefight took place, resulting in two fatalities on the Polish side, before the Slovak withdrawal. Poland occupied some northern parts of Slovakia and received from Czechoslovakia Zaolzie, territories around Suchá Hora and Hladovka, around Javorina, and in addition the territory around Lesnica in the Pieniny Mountains, a small territory around Skalité, and some other very small border regions. Poland officially received the territories on 1 November 1938. At no time did Germany and Poland actually form an alliance. Point 2, Hitler knew as early as 1933 that he would if he ever came to power, go to war with Poland, he wrote as much in his book Mein Kampf.
@King Royal You are right anyone can copy and paste but it does not detract from the truth, and the truth is Germany and Poland were never allies, they did have a few backroom chats but not an alliance, An right from the First world war they have both regarded each other with suspicious eyes.
@King Royal No, the world thought that Poland had sided with Germany over Poland's attack on Czechoslovakia because Germany did not oppose it or condemn it, yet still, no formal declaration of an alliance was made between them, if you think there was then how about sitting your evidence, just post a link to it here, tho I doubt you will find one as no such alliance ever existed between Germany and Poland.
Thank you for sharing this, I have been looking for this for years....This man and thousands like him were true heroes and an inspiration to me and many like me of my generation who were born and grew up just after the War. My school, near Hornchurch, in the 1960's changed the names of it's houses to Bader, Malan, Tuck and Finucane, after some of the pilots who flew from RAF Hornchurch during the dark days of the War. I was elected House Captain of Bader house in the late 1960's and I recall the lovely letter I received from Sir Douglas, addressed to me at the school. It is a cliche to say that " they don't make em like this anymore" , but it is true.....more is the pity. Thank you Sir Douglas for enabling us to grow in freedom, peace and prosperity. Rest in Peace, your duty is done sir......
Undoubtedly one of the greatest Britons who ever lived. Sir Douglas Bader was a true inspiration, a man who overcame adversity and went on to achieve more than almost anyone I can think of. Sir John Mills summed it up when he said there was no one who deserved a knighthood more. I remember watching this programme with my father when it was first shown. Sir Douglas was a hero to him, and through learning about his exploits from my dad, he became a hero to me. Sadly he's been rather forgotten since his death and I believe his life story should be proclaimed and become more widely known again. Thank you so much for sharing this programme. It brought back so many memories.
@supernumery his crash was several years before the war you numpty, no issues with being 'desperately short of 'planes'' then. His knighthood was for services in support of disabled people in the decades after the war. You're clearly just a troll who just hates people who have actually achieved something in life...
Brilliant. Thank for posting. So good to see so many faces of prominent RAF personnel of who I've only previously read about, e.g. Hugh Dundas and AVM Johnny Johnson. Fascinating.
An absolute hero, like so many at that time. Sadly of today's generation, most have no idea just how brave these young men were. Especially those, who never returned.
supernumery I really don’t think that reply was necessary to that post?? All the person was saying was that most people today don’t know what that generation went through? Completely over the top
The problem nowadays is that the youth don't realise that the old fogey shaking and stumbling in front of them were young once, and were the shit hot fighter pilot, aircrew or soldier who gave so much for them.
Is there anybody who can seriously say they don't admire this great man and what he achieved in his life, what he accomplished? I agree with all the comments below, this is a man who the world should never forget, an example to us all. As I said in another thread, he redefined the word Hero.
@supernumery Many years ago I worked for a company that had shared Shell's office in the city. It was before my time but many people remembered Bader and all of them said he was incredibly rude and arrogant and thoroughly unpleasant. He apparently would walk across the road without stopping and swear in front of women which at that time was unacceptable. The people who told me this were city insurance workers and not left wing agitators. He lost his legs showing off aerobatting too near the ground. His big wing was a tactical disaster. The French family who sheltered him during he ridiculous escape attempt died in a concentration camp for helping him. He obviously was brave and determined but he was also a complete twat.
I read Adolf Galland's book, 'The First and the Last'. He had no time for Hitler or Goering. That event in Galland's book is true, when he asked Goering for a Squadron of Spitfires! Just winding Goering up. Adolf Galland was also great friends, after the war, with Robert Stanford Tuck, and both took part as advisors in the making of the 1969 Movie Battle of Britain.
This must have been just about the single biggest collection of realtime WWII warheroes the world has seen since VE-day. Such a shame most of them, if not all by now, are no longer with us. A big thank you for sharing this, Alex Kerr. Excellent show!
I can’t adequately find the words to express my feelings watching this, especially given what we have allowed our country to become after all these fine men and women risked and gave so that we could inherit it. So grateful for them and so much sadder at what we did with their legacy. I hope they will forgive our weakness.
What a tribute to that man. Quite emotional to be honest. All friends, war time buddies, German officers and later friends and last but not least a message from the queen. This is well deserving to a true hero. What do we get now? Personal biography and night hoods of bloody footballers.
You should read up on how Bader treated his batman at Colditz to see the darker side of his character. He may have been brave but many of his fellow-pilots had harsh words about his treatment of the lower ranks.
This episode of "This is your life", aired in March 1982. Sadly less than 4 months later, the actor (Kenneth More) who played him in the movie about his life, "Reach for the Sky", passed away. Two months after that, Bader passed on Sept 5, 1982. Glad they were both around to see this tribute, but it's such a pity that we wait so long to honour the greats.
+Debi Taylor I'm wondering if all the standing up and sitting down he had to do constantly all through out the show contributed to his passing (just kidding). I know it was making me exhausted just watching him poor ol' bugger :(
I agree . I think they should have allowed him to sit, although I am sure that being such a determined individual he was too much of a true gentleman to remain seated.
Douglas bader came to my high school in rhodesia back in early 60s i have a photograph of him shaking the hand of our head prefect who was killed in the rhodesian war a few years later. Rip. Db.
crickey, I am sitting here tears rolling down my face and it is 2019, what a man and what wonderful ladies in France who sacrificed so much for him a true inspiration at the time and for all he did in the face of adversity
An extraordinary man, perfectly suited to have been born at that point in history. Yes he had as many faults as anyone, but most importantly he lifted the spirits of a nation at a time of life-and-death crisis. When I was a very young man and budding pilot I met Sir Douglas at an airshow in Schofields, Sydney in 1979 after an introduction from Clive Caldwell and found him very gracious with his time.
No doubt about his courage and determination. However as with many war heroes, notably Guy Gibson, (leader of the Dam Busters Raid) his was a flawed character, His treatment of those of lower rank left much to be desired. There is an account in the book " Colditz" by Ben Macintyre of how Bader treated the man who during Bader's stay there. This man carried Bader up and down the stairs of Colditz, of which there are many, on his back. I was truly very shocked to read of what he said to this man on being freed at the end of the war. I cannot repeat it here, read it for yourself.
That is what a HERO looks like, not someone coming out of the closet, or admitting to some addiction etc.. THIS IS A HERO and many many other heros on this show! Sadly Only a few left now but true heros, one and all!
Clearly a Man who was King and Country to the bone, his emotion shows true when he hears the letter sent by HRH The Queen Mother, as a former RAF Airman, I can only say you inspired me.
@@robertgarrett4046 makes you wonder if these who are slating a ;legend really have any heroes in their lives doesn't it because of men and leaders of sir Douglas calibre they are free to spout their unsavoury comments hew was a hero as a leader he proved it he put country b4 self end of take no notice of idiotic comments m8 they wont ever have anything worth remembering in their miserable little lives as a leader he had to be arrogant which infuriated the enemy more than his own men he never asked any man to do anything he wouldn't do himself thats the measure of a true legend
Good god !!!! That was a who's who of my childhood heroes, Johnnie Johnson, Bob Stanford-Tuck, cocky Dundas, Al Deere, Denis Crowley-Milling, and their charming arch enemy but then good lifelong friend Adolf Galland. The calibre of people in that show is in a different league from the vacuous "slebs" of today. 54 minutes of awe followed by a tinge of sadness that what they fought for has been desecrated and ruined by continuous generations of slimy politicians. Thankfully they are no longer here to see the complete pile of sh!te the country is being turned into by corporate globalists and their paid political stooges.
Exactly ,very well said, these men would wonder what the hell is going on in this country today ,you cant speak your mind without offending some pratt who is waiting to be offended, too many do gooders doing a lot of harm,children no longer being chastised or punished, result ,they attack the teachers at school,or worsr stab them ,no respect for anything ,no real punishment for stabbing and killing a complete stranger who looks at someone the wrong way ,they should be hanged, then the dogooders would start bleating about murders human rights ,pathetic to late now ,open boarders at a time of high national risk of terrorism, well done Blair you arrogant failure,the list goes on ,sorry to go on but these situations are getting worse, no body does anything about them,
Yes, a pleasure to the great men together. They are heroes and no, we will never see their like again or character again. So much owed to all servicemen, they all deserve our forever thanks and respect. Not many left now, those who are left and those who are no longer with us are true national treasures…thank you all
Note how this man graciously rises to his feet to greet the guests. One can only imagine the discomfort to him to do that. An extraaordianry man in an age of real heroes.
I read Reach for The Sky as a very young boy. I was so impressed that I wrote a short letter to Douglas telling him how much I enjoyed the book . I said I thought he was a very brave man and I hoped to be just like him. I addressed the letter to Group Captain Douglas Bader C/O Shell Oil Company. Two weeks later I received a brief letter from my boyhood hero thanking me for my kind comments and wishing me the best of luck in all my endeavors, signed in sky blue ink: Douglas Bader. In later years I learned that Douglas's manner was not to everyone's taste. This came as no surprise and did nothing to alter my view that he was a very single minded and determined man. Clearly it would be true to say he did not suffer fools in any way. I admire him to this day.
@@Martin-lp4yg Listen you disgusting little troll. Sir Douglas was a very brave man - which evidently you aren't. He was a hero - which you will NEVER Be,
the man at 23:19 is super hero..Johnny Johnson, shot more enemy aircraft down in the Battle of Britain and never got a knighthood. i beleive Bradley Wiggins got knighted for riding a bike. what a disgrace this is.
Probably one of the best of This is your Life,How wonderful to see the freindship between Sir Douglas and General Galland(two legends).It goes to show that people can make peace!!
This was wonderful to watch just now..... If only my step-father could have been here to watch it with me as Douglas Bader was his cousin.... Douglas came to Perth, Western Australia but didn't speak to my step-father at the time, such a shame..., As a young girl my step-father gave me the book on Douglas Bader's life called, "Reach for the Sky" and I treasured it for many years till it was destroyed due to water damage, it still remains one of my favourite books.... God bless you Douglas Bader.
+richard parkes I agree--far too many moaning minnie's on here. Mr brother was a RAF POW in the war, he went through hell, although this was in some ways because he made several escape attempts and was badly punished for it. he also survived the 1945 'Long march' across Germany, starved, and in freeing conditions. what I'm saying is---he was a similar character to Bader---couldn't stand fools, and not very friendly. It is said, that he survived all those years of hardship BECAUSE he was-a bolshie difficult person, who never gave up.
Er no, this man was a charlatan. He did nothing compared to others but he was good at PR. He was a thoroughly nasty person who should have been court martialled for the crash that took his legs. Those who let him back into the RAF should be ashamed because of the many young men who lost their lives because of his false bravado. He was rude, arrogant and had no humility, I met him and hated him within minutes. He was insubordintae to the point where the very two men who won the Battle of Britain, Dowding and Park were sacked. What a nasty and arrogant creature
