Reach for the Sky

After his crash in 1930, Bader lost both legs in the amputation that saved his life. Since no regulations existed covering a pilot with his disability, the RAF denied him flying duties and offered him a desk job instead. Unable to accept being grounded, Bader reluctantly left the RAF and took an office position, though his passion for flying never diminished.

This earlier rejection foreshadows his later struggle to return to service at the outbreak of WWII.

When World War II began in 1939, Bader actively lobbied to return to service despite his prosthetic legs. He demonstrated that his disability did not diminish his piloting skills or his determination. The wartime need for experienced pilots Override the previous concerns, and he was accepted back into the RAF to command a squadron.

His earlier defiance of authority and refusal to accept limitations set the stage for his successful campaign to re-enlist.

When Bader took command, his squadron consisted mainly of Canadian pilots who had already fought in France and suffered heavy losses. These veterans were demoralized after their previous defeats. Bader revitalized their spirits, secured essential equipment they desperately needed, and transformed the unit into an effective fighting force that performed crucial roles during the Battle of Britain.

Despite explicit orders banning low-level aerobatics, Bader was goaded into attempting the risky routine by a disparaging comment from a civilian pilot. During the maneuver, the wing tip of his biplane touched the ground, causing the catastrophic crash that ultimately led to the loss of both his legs.

Earlier in his training, Bader had already ignored warnings from Air Vice-Marshal Halahan about disregarding flight rules, establishing a pattern of reckless behavior.

While out for a drive with two RAF friends, they stopped at a tearoom where Bader encountered waitress Thelma Edwards. After he regained his mobility through mastering his prosthetic legs, he asked her out, beginning a courtship that led to their marriage at a registry office. Thelma remained his steadfast supporter throughout the war years.

In 1941, Bader bailed out over France after being shot down during combat. He managed to escape from his captors but was soon recaptured. The Germans then subjected him to a punishing cycle of transfers between prison camps, eventually confining him to Colditz Castle, the notorious high-security POW camp where he spent four years until liberation.

On September 15, 1945, exactly five years after the Battle of Britain's decisive day, Bader led a flypast over London as a Group Captain. He commanded eleven other battle survivors and a total of 300 aircraft in a tribute commemorating the endurance and resilience of the pilots who had defended Britain during the war.

This victory moment echoes his earlier determination to fly again after losing his legs, completing his inspirational journey.

After his discharge from hospital, Bader dedicated himself to mastering prosthetic legs, training relentlessly until he could walk and move independently. Once he proved his physical capability, he lobbied aggressively to return to the RAF when WWII began, demonstrating that his artificial limbs posed no barrier to piloting fighter aircraft.

Bader's defiant streak appeared early in his RAF career when he repeatedly disregarded service discipline and flight rules, earning a friendly rebuke from Air Vice-Marshal Halahan. This rebellious temperament continued throughout his life, manifesting in his refusal to accept his grounding after the accident and his determined efforts to return to flying despite his disability.

When Bader took command of the dispirited Canadian squadron, he lifted their morale through his inspiring leadership and relentless drive. He personally secured vital equipment they urgently needed and demanded the same high standards he set for himself. Under his command, the squadron became operational again and proved its worth during the Battle of Britain.