Douglas Bader: The Legless Ace of the Battle of Britain
2025-01-27
Douglas Bader, a World War II RAF pilot who lost both legs in a 1931 plane crash, defied the odds to become a legendary figure. Medically discharged, he returned to service and fought valiantly in the Battle of Britain, leading his squadron to impressive victories. Captured after a dogfight, Bader made multiple daring escape attempts. Remarkably, a replacement prosthetic leg was even parachuted to him in a mission dubbed 'Operation Leg', facilitated by German General Adolf Galland. Post-war, Bader championed disability rights and continued flying until 1979, maintaining a unique 42-year friendship with Galland.
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