Douglas Bader Interview
 

Hi folks,

I wonder if anyone here has access to a superb TV studio interview with the late Sir Douglas Bader? I saw this on one of the satellite channels a couple of years ago but missed half of it. It was filmed in what looked like the 1960's, as I say - in a studio environment and saw the legend sat legs akimbo, pipe in hand, engaging the interviewer heartily on all sorts of matters. I hope this rings some bells and sorry I cannot be more specific.

Having done the usual trawls of youtube and the rest of the WWW I'm turning up a blank. If anyone could shine some light on the programme or (joy of joys) has a spare copy they could run off on DVD for me then I would extremely grateful!

Many thanks,

VFE.

Try here

BBC - Archive - WWII: The Battle of Britain - Late Night Line-up | Douglas Bader

Hmm...."Not available your area"!:ugh:

How do we get around that??

G'day ;)

Move to a civilized country?

Colin, there's an argument that anywhere they spell civilised with a "z" may not be so??:confused:

G'day ;)

F3. Have had same problem in the past. Either get someone over there to copy and send it to you, or get a proxy server in the UK to enable you to download it here.

It appears my spell-checker is in US mode.
PS Feathers,
Apologies for the off colour (spell-checker tried to change it to color) remark.

Re ise/ize.

This is yet another misapprehension that a spelling preference has somehow been invented by the Americans. The 'ize' spelling was in fact almost universal in the UK in the 19th century, and underwent a gradual shift to 'ise' during the 20th century. The 'ize' spelling hung on in various academic circles, and watching an old episode of 'Morse' recently, I noticed that Morse dismissed a supposed suicide note as a fake as "no self-respecting Oxford man would spell 'realise' with an 's' ". Like many old English spellings and usages, (tire, gotten etc) it has hung on in the US long after it virtually disappeared over here

Great stuff! Thanks all and pm, I shall get a mate to copy.

G'day ;)

Re ise/ize.
 

Further to TTN's post: -ize spellings are still the preferred style of Oxford University Press, though OUP uses analyse.

Having met this so-called fighter pilot in person, I am prepared to tell interested persons what he was really like?

If you do not wish your illusions to be shattered, then please do not PM me.

I recall a conversation I had with a biographer of Sir D.B. (in about 1999 as I recall) and it was clear that the subject of this thread was a VERY difficult fellow to deal with. Yes, he had all the fighting qualities that are rightfully attributed to him but it is clear that he never stopped fighting! Not an easy man. Assuredly interesting but, possibly, not the kind of person you would have invited to a quiet dinner party!

It is oft said that one should not meet one's heroes. I have given up reading biographies or seeing documentaries about people I admire. It's a one way street. I don't think anyone admires me but if they saw a warts and all documentary on me - they certainly wouldn't!! :uhoh:

Lightning Mate
 

We must have got him on the same day.

Or perhaps all days were the same?

I concur. I met him when he was guest of honour at the last ever wings presentation at BFTS at Linton-on-Ouse. That would have been 15 Course, in 1977 I think; wings were not presented until after AFTS after that.

Are we allowed to say grumpy old git?

No, I meant him, not me... although that might be where I caught it from...

Lightning Mate

I'm interested in what you have to say.
Please check your PM.

Thank you.

K

LM / JF
 

I heard similar reports from someone who met him in the 60's at Fairoaks, I'd
be intersted to hear more, good to know the truth - will PM, thanks.

The obituary written in The Times for his batman during his time in Colditz makes for interesting reading.

Alex Ross, a Seaforth Highlander. A quick google search will find it I'm sure but once again, if you want your heroes untarnished then don't read it.

BSD.

BSD
 

BSD

I read it & you're dead right, it shatters any illusions of a fair character.

Dambusters [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums

PS -I know 'dambusters' sounds off topic but scroll down the opened link to find Alex's details about his time with DB

I am of the old school. I do not accept that character assassinations of our heros is warranted or fair. When I met him he came across as being pompous but his status as a hero was untouchable. His record was unimpeachable and his ideas were poo pooed by lesser commanders than Park but not by those he fought with. He got things done and to overcome a foolish moment at Woodley he paid the price but he returned the faith
placed in him. He became a good leader and was fearless. The RAF say he was shot down - he said he had a collision - who cares? DB was a brave man and one of this nations heros. What else matters?

Hero, I agree 100%.

But I preferred the Kenneth Moore version to the man we met. Sorry if that offends.