Douglas Bader
Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, FRAeS, DL (21 February 1910 – 5 September 1982) was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter ace during the Second World War.
Combat credos [edit]
Bader attributed his success to the belief in the three basic rules, shared by the German ace-of-aces Erich Hartmann:
- If you had the height, you controlled the battle.[1][2]
- If you came out of the sun, the enemy could not see you.[1][2]
- If you held your fire until you were very close, you seldom missed.[1][2]
Quote; "Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense. Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible."
Quote; "Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools."[3]
Quote; "I am not one of those who see war as a cricket match where you first give anything to defeat the opponent and then shake hands."[2]
References [edit]
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Brickhill, Paul. Reach for the Sky: The Story of Douglas Bader DSO, DFC. London: Odhams Press Ltd., 1954. ISBN 1-55750-222-6.
- Lucas, Laddie. Flying Colours: The Epic Story of Douglas Bader. London: Hutchinson Publishing Group, 1981. ISBN 0-09-146470-6
