Video from the Past [10] - Late Night with Douglas Bader (1965)

Video from the Past [10] - Late Night with Douglas Bader

World War II fighter pilot ace Douglas Bader got his RAF commission in 1930, but lost both his legs in a plane crash in 1931. However, within six months he was walking on artificial legs. He rejoined the RAF in 1939 and rose to command No 242 Squadron, the Canadian squadron based at Coltishall. He led this unit with great success throughout the Battle of Britain and by October 1940 had been awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) and the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross). By the end of the war he had been mentioned in dispatches three times, had an official tally of 23 enemy aircraft shot down and had been a prisoner of war in Colditz, from where he made numerous attempts to escape.

In this 1965 "Late Night" interview with Denis Tuohy, Bader discusses his fame and why it is so important to mark anniversaries of major historical events such as the Battle of Britain. He defends the attitude of young people who protest against wars and talks about the film 'Reach for the Sky', which tells his story.

Reach for the Sky is a 1956 British biographical film based on the 1954 biography of the same name by Paul Brickhill. The film stars Kenneth More and was directed by Lewis Gilbert. It won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film of 1956. To depict the various Royal Air Force bases realistically, principal filming took place in Surrey at RAF Kenley, and around the village of Bagshot. Studio work was completed at the Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. Available wartime combat aircraft including Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire fighters were arranged to take on the aerial scenes. The film fared well with the public, being the most popular film in the UK for 1956.

Видео Video from the Past [10] - Late Night with Douglas Bader (1965) канала Chuck Owl