Wonderful to see all those famous people and yet so sad that none are alive today. Douglas Bader was an inspiration to me as a young boy in the 1950's after I saw the film "Reach for the Sky". Little did I know then I would lose both my legs 50 years later. I still gain mental strength even today when I think of that great man.
Unfortunately Reach for the Sky was total balls. My grandfather worked with Bader and did not have a good thing to say about him, apart from he was a total self serving bastard. Bader was shot down not had a collision as he claimed and was portrayed in the film, Galland confirmed that he was shot down. Bader lost his legs doing a low roll at 50 feet totally against all regulations that he continually broke. He wrote off two Spitfires through bad flying, over claimed victories immensely claiming 3 on one day alone, his total score was 4. His role in the Battle of Britain was minor apart from pissing everyone else off with his theory of the big wing which naturally would have benefitted him. As a POW he was detested by fellow inmates.
What are you upset about? Because it is 81% white? You are pathetic. People who hark back to the days of Empire are utterly clueless. The Empire did nothing for the average Briton, we toiled down the mines, in factories, and died on the battlefield. For what? So the wealthy and aristocracy could have even more wealth and power. The heroes of the war fought against people with your small-minded worldview. Hitler was able to manipulate and utilise people like you who are obsessed with race and nationalism to take power and start his war. It's just sad people never learn. You have the fantasy view of Britain in the past, it's nostalgia deluded and wasn't that great. I'd much rather live in Britain now than at any other time, it's objectively better by almost every measure.
Notice how General Adolf Galland adores Sir Douglas. And Sir Douglas' eyes water the second he sees him. What gentlemen, a different breed of men to today's generations. Makes me wish I was born in that era.
It is the respect to each other, fighterpilots are special people, much of them become close friends. There are other videos here, like : Warbirds in review Shorty Rankin and Gunther Rall, or Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown.
What are you upset about? Because it is 81% white? You are pathetic. People who hark back to the days of Empire are utterly clueless. The Empire did nothing for the average Briton, we toiled down the mines, in factories, and died on the battlefield. For what? So the wealthy and aristocracy could have even more wealth and power. The heroes of the war fought against people with your small-minded worldview. Hitler was able to manipulate and utilise people like you who are obsessed with race and nationalism to take power and start his war. It's just sad people never learn. You have the fantasy view of Britain in the past, it's nostalgia deluded and wasn't that great. I'd much rather live in Britain now than at any other time, it's objectively better by almost every measure.
Absolutely inspirational! He always looked to sacrifice and serve. Brave, selfless, humble. The vast majority of leaders today are a sad contrast to Douglas Badger.
5th September 1982, 6 months after this show was aired Bader died of heart attack. Almost 40 years after this show was aired most if not all of the personalities seen are also now deceased through the march of time. May they all rest in peace and Douglas Bader thanks for your service.😎
@King Royal Really? Germany was intent on its own form of colonialism, Britain already had an empire, so was it really the case that we fought to preserve the empire, or was it the case we fought to end an evil regime, we had a pact with Poland, if Germany hadn't attacked Poland then we would not have fought so kind of turns your theory on its head really.
@King Royal Are you being serious? The Germans and Poles hated each other for years even before the war began, in 1939 Poland became the first country the Germans invaded in open war thus causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany, Poland being an ally of Britain who was allied with France, Honestly, if you are going to argue such points one really needs to do ones research so as not to look foolish in front of others.
@King Royal Point 1, they did not Allie, Germany merely gave assurances that it would not attack Poland if they annexed part of Czechoslovakia, Germany allowed this because Hitler thought it would make it easier to blame Poland for aggressive acts thus giving him legitimate cause to attack Poland later on. The Germans were delighted with the outcome. They were happy to give up a provincial rail center to Poland. It was indeed a small sacrifice, spread the blame of the partition of Czechoslovakia, made Poland an accomplice in the process, and confused the issue as well as political expectations. Poland was accused of being an accomplice of Nazi Germany. In November 1938, Poland crossed into Slovakia where a minor firefight took place, resulting in two fatalities on the Polish side, before the Slovak withdrawal. Poland occupied some northern parts of Slovakia and received from Czechoslovakia Zaolzie, territories around Suchá Hora and Hladovka, around Javorina, and in addition the territory around Lesnica in the Pieniny Mountains, a small territory around Skalité, and some other very small border regions. Poland officially received the territories on 1 November 1938. At no time did Germany and Poland actually form an alliance. Point 2, Hitler knew as early as 1933 that he would if he ever came to power, go to war with Poland, he wrote as much in his book Mein Kampf.
@King Royal You are right anyone can copy and paste but it does not detract from the truth, and the truth is Germany and Poland were never allies, they did have a few backroom chats but not an alliance, An right from the First world war they have both regarded each other with suspicious eyes.
@King Royal No, the world thought that Poland had sided with Germany over Poland's attack on Czechoslovakia because Germany did not oppose it or condemn it, yet still, no formal declaration of an alliance was made between them, if you think there was then how about sitting your evidence, just post a link to it here, tho I doubt you will find one as no such alliance ever existed between Germany and Poland.
I will always remember the day in the early 1970's when Sir Douglas Bader came to my school (Pimlico in London) to make a presentation. The school hall was massive and was completely filled with kids. We didn't know who was coming to do this presentation, but we were stunned when he walked in in that inimitable way he walked. Without a lie, every single pupil in the hall (at least 600 of us) once we realised who it was, leapt to our feet cheering and waving our arms about, it was absolute bedlam for at least a minute until he asked us to quieten down, which of course we obeyed immediately (it was about the only thing we ever did obey). We were young kids, but we knew exactly who this man was and what he had achieved (as well as what we owed him - and others like him) If anyone thinks this man wasn't a hero in the true sense of the world, I would be very willing to educate you! Hats of to you Sir Douglas, you were one hell of a bloke! At this point there are 109 thumbs down - I wonder who they may be?" X box warriors" I presume.
@James Henderson How was he a Nazi lover. He spent his time shooting them down you dope. Its a shame one of them never landed on the house of your grandparents, then we wouldn't have had petulant little boys like you to put up with. The thing is, we had parents who lived through those days & we were not brainwashed little lefties like you. What the fuck would someone like you know about these sort of people eh....fuck all!
@@ericwilliams2317 I know little Jimmy Hendersons wet nurse, she says hes always peeing in his incontinence pants and bedwetting is a constant issue. So be tender, one day he'll understand as he matures.😫😖😜
Never has that red book come so close to splitting, this episode should be shown in schools, forget Schwarzenegger, Stallone etc. this was a REAL action hero
They wouldn't show that in schools today. most of the children don't know a thing about the war. They are fed Africa week or black history month. What has happened to our country?
As much as it’s good to see old enemies become friends I will not go so far as to include Galland among my heroes. He looked a good chap when was laughing away with a cigar and a glass in his hand but in his youth he was doing his utmost to see Britain defeated and debased by the Nazis, and he was personally responsible for killing dozens of young Allied pilots who should have had families and lived into old age. The same applies to Gunter Rall another great bloke who I recalled being paraded along the flight line at Duxford. I would have turned my back.
@@paulhicks6667 Such is your NARROW mindset... He faught for HIS country when called to do so.... That is ALL that can be asked of him. The people.. The ENGLISH People that applauded him on that day thought so as well... Why cannot you?
I'm not ashamed to admit I am sobbing...can you just imagine the typical ' hero ' or celebrity we would have on this today ? Someone off love Island ? This was an incredible episode..on a side note, Sir John Mills is a personal hero in our family..when my Grandad was at war and people were quite literally living in poverty, Sir John gave his little boys clothes and toys to my Gran, to help with my Uncle David, who was just 18 months old..sadly my lovely Gran died at just 36, but his quiet kindness and generosity to our family ( who lived on the same street ) during this terrible time , will never be forgotten. Not all heroes wear capes 😔
Christ. I’m in tears. The bravery and honour of these people. The women in France who helped him escape - what bravery. This is just one of the most tremendous programmes I’ve seen.
Brilliant. Thank for posting. So good to see so many faces of prominent RAF personnel of who I've only previously read about, e.g. Hugh Dundas and AVM Johnny Johnson. Fascinating.
Yes, a pleasure to the great men together. They are heroes and no, we will never see their like again or character again. So much owed to all servicemen, they all deserve our forever thanks and respect. Not many left now, those who are left and those who are no longer with us are true national treasures…thank you all
I heard that in the '70's a gentleman wrote to Sir Douglas asking him to write to his mother who had just had a leg amputated and wasn't doing well as she had admired him so much during the war. The following day Sir Douglas turned up with an enormous bunch of flowers and she started to make a full recovery from then on.
Someone who can truly wear the badge of Legend. I don't care if he was a bit arrogant - he got on and did what he had to do. Huge respect to him and all of The Few.
@@tonyhaynes9080 No one has the right to be arrogant. These war heroes expect special treatment which I disagree. I would liked to have knocked his block off, but that would have been arrogant of me.
@Paul Crewe Being arrogant does come at a price. Difference is in the present those who display an entitled attitude can be found guilty by the public and media falling from grace instantly.
I read Adolf Galland's book, 'The First and the Last'. He had no time for Hitler or Goering. That event in Galland's book is true, when he asked Goering for a Squadron of Spitfires! Just winding Goering up. Adolf Galland was also great friends, after the war, with Robert Stanford Tuck, and both took part as advisors in the making of the 1969 Movie Battle of Britain.
Back in around 1985, I met General Adolph Galland at Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. They were restoring a Messerschmitt BF 109 WWII German fighter. I was watching them working on it when to my surprise Adolph Galland came up to me. I wish we could have had cellphones back then to take a picture together! I just happened to be in the right place at the right time! At another time, I got to meet Gregory "Pappy" Boyington! I'm blessed to have gotten to be friends with 11 of the original 100 FLYING TIGER pilots and Boyington was one of them! God bless all of them AND special for Douglas Bader!
Hello from Australia. As a young north Qld woman pilot I was shocked to be invited to a Marquee to meet Sir Douglas Bader in 1981 at the Schofields Air Show in NSW. It was love at first sight. He exuded such charisma, such brilliant blue eyes, yet such a commanding presence. I was quite aware of his aviation history, his escapism abilities, and his unbelievable bravery. I will never forget the encounter or the man. Without a doubt - Britain's secret weapon - his reputational impact on all those service men and women who fought on despite the shocking losses. How much he must have inspired those around the world to contribute to the war effort in any way they could, despite age, infirmity or whatever. That in retirement he continued to serve the community is a testament to the strength of his character. May God Bless Him.
Sir Douglas is an inspiration and a true hero. Many of the folks on that stage that fought and won the Battle of Britain deserve knighthoods but never received them. When they are given to entertainers today, it so degrades the honor. Sir Douglas is the gold standard. And to think that he received this distinction for his meaningful work with the disabled rather than his WW2 exploits.
What a man. Wonderful tributes and memories from all involved. We must never forget these men and women who fought so fervently for our freedom and also those those on the opposite side who were understanding about the cause but knew right from wrong.
This genuinely made me emotional. I would give anything to spend an hour with all of those brave heroes. It makes me so sad as a 29 year old who’s grandfather flew spitfires in the war also, to know that so many of my generation and younger have such little appreciation for what these brave men did for us. I’m sure they’re also turning in their graves at how so many young people have little to no patriotism for their country anymore and also seem to want to undermine everything that these men and women fort so valiantly for. Rest in peace chaps and thank you for everything you did for us. God bless.
The greatest generation indeed. Seeing all those former fighter pilots together with a former adversary (Adolph Galland ) was incredible and actually got me quite emotional. Gladiators of the sky, the few, who fought off a formidable enemy (Luftwaffe) saving dear old Blighty from possible invasion. They're all, or nearly all, sadly gone however they will always be remembered and for the huge debt we owe them. We won't see their like again.
Wow - I never knew that Adolf Galland actually came on This is Your Life to meet and pay tribute to Douglas Bader. Incredible footage and everyone's really respectful...
They were very good friends for a long time after the war. After being shot down Bader was invited to Gallands airfield by his unit and was shown around a Bf109. They held each other in high regard.
To be honest they are normally handed out to wealthy actors and singer's, This is your life is often about very wealthy people giving each other a pat on the back and telling everyone how great they are. So it's good see a non famous person on the show for a change, unfortunately ratings for this episode when broadcast were quite low which is often the case, sadly if he'd been in a sitcom or film star than the ratings would have been high
I can’t adequately find the words to express my feelings watching this, especially given what we have allowed our country to become after all these fine men and women risked and gave so that we could inherit it. So grateful for them and so much sadder at what we did with their legacy. I hope they will forgive our weakness.
That is what a HERO looks like, not someone coming out of the closet, or admitting to some addiction etc.. THIS IS A HERO and many many other heros on this show! Sadly Only a few left now but true heros, one and all!
What they didn't say, and is clearly seen in the photo of this visit in the book, and that was the cocked pistol aiming at him just in case he did try and escape in the 109.
@Julius Agricola I agree. Not all were Nazis. My uncle served in the LRDG, you'll know about that ?. He met Rommel once, briefly as a pow inTobruk. Uncle Eddy said Rommel was a true gentleman. Did his best for the pows and his own men.🧐🏴
@@tonyhaynes9080 In fact that was not a cocked pistol pointing at him it was indeed a pair of gloves the guy was holding, the pistol theory was disproved long ago by Galland and others and was propaganda at its best .
Adolf Galland, Douglas Bader, Al Deere and the rest. What a tableau of REAL men, in a world of social media and entitled, over-sensitive little darlings...,
What a tribute to that man. Quite emotional to be honest. All friends, war time buddies, German officers and later friends and last but not least a message from the queen. This is well deserving to a true hero. What do we get now? Personal biography and night hoods of bloody footballers.
You should read up on how Bader treated his batman at Colditz to see the darker side of his character. He may have been brave but many of his fellow-pilots had harsh words about his treatment of the lower ranks.
Is there anybody who can seriously say they don't admire this great man and what he achieved in his life, what he accomplished? I agree with all the comments below, this is a man who the world should never forget, an example to us all. As I said in another thread, he redefined the word Hero.
@supernumery Many years ago I worked for a company that had shared Shell's office in the city. It was before my time but many people remembered Bader and all of them said he was incredibly rude and arrogant and thoroughly unpleasant. He apparently would walk across the road without stopping and swear in front of women which at that time was unacceptable. The people who told me this were city insurance workers and not left wing agitators. He lost his legs showing off aerobatting too near the ground. His big wing was a tactical disaster. The French family who sheltered him during he ridiculous escape attempt died in a concentration camp for helping him. He obviously was brave and determined but he was also a complete twat.
I read Reach for The Sky as a very young boy. I was so impressed that I wrote a short letter to Douglas telling him how much I enjoyed the book . I said I thought he was a very brave man and I hoped to be just like him. I addressed the letter to Group Captain Douglas Bader C/O Shell Oil Company. Two weeks later I received a brief letter from my boyhood hero thanking me for my kind comments and wishing me the best of luck in all my endeavors, signed in sky blue ink: Douglas Bader. In later years I learned that Douglas's manner was not to everyone's taste. This came as no surprise and did nothing to alter my view that he was a very single minded and determined man. Clearly it would be true to say he did not suffer fools in any way. I admire him to this day.
@@Martin-lp4yg Listen you disgusting little troll. Sir Douglas was a very brave man - which evidently you aren't. He was a hero - which you will NEVER Be,
Probably one of the best of This is your Life,How wonderful to see the freindship between Sir Douglas and General Galland(two legends).It goes to show that people can make peace!!
This must have been just about the single biggest collection of realtime WWII warheroes the world has seen since VE-day. Such a shame most of them, if not all by now, are no longer with us. A big thank you for sharing this, Alex Kerr. Excellent show!
An extraordinary man, perfectly suited to have been born at that point in history. Yes he had as many faults as anyone, but most importantly he lifted the spirits of a nation at a time of life-and-death crisis. When I was a very young man and budding pilot I met Sir Douglas at an airshow in Schofields, Sydney in 1979 after an introduction from Clive Caldwell and found him very gracious with his time.
Douglas bader came to my high school in rhodesia back in early 60s i have a photograph of him shaking the hand of our head prefect who was killed in the rhodesian war a few years later. Rip. Db.
crickey, I am sitting here tears rolling down my face and it is 2019, what a man and what wonderful ladies in France who sacrificed so much for him a true inspiration at the time and for all he did in the face of adversity
Undoubtedly one of the greatest Britons who ever lived. Sir Douglas Bader was a true inspiration, a man who overcame adversity and went on to achieve more than almost anyone I can think of. Sir John Mills summed it up when he said there was no one who deserved a knighthood more. I remember watching this programme with my father when it was first shown. Sir Douglas was a hero to him, and through learning about his exploits from my dad, he became a hero to me. Sadly he's been rather forgotten since his death and I believe his life story should be proclaimed and become more widely known again. Thank you so much for sharing this programme. It brought back so many memories.
@supernumery his crash was several years before the war you numpty, no issues with being 'desperately short of 'planes'' then. His knighthood was for services in support of disabled people in the decades after the war. You're clearly just a troll who just hates people who have actually achieved something in life...
What a complete legend and all those who fought along side him. So modest and humble and yet brave ! By coincidence I held my wedding reception at the prep school he attended in the 1920s, so my research continues. R.I.P. Sir. Dougie
What a wonderful show. Many of these fall sadly flat with not very interesting stories but I wish I could have gone to the after party. Thank you for posting this fabulous story. I cry when I see how the world today is so weak. And what happened to real gentleman. The most fantastic “This is your life” EVER! We will never see the strength of these amazing men again. Women too. God Bless them. I loved watching this.
There are not many men that embody such a sense of dignified bravery, determination and understated humility. A true hero. Group Captain, Sir Douglas Bader is one such man.
Thank you for sharing this, I have been looking for this for years....This man and thousands like him were true heroes and an inspiration to me and many like me of my generation who were born and grew up just after the War. My school, near Hornchurch, in the 1960's changed the names of it's houses to Bader, Malan, Tuck and Finucane, after some of the pilots who flew from RAF Hornchurch during the dark days of the War. I was elected House Captain of Bader house in the late 1960's and I recall the lovely letter I received from Sir Douglas, addressed to me at the school. It is a cliche to say that " they don't make em like this anymore" , but it is true.....more is the pity. Thank you Sir Douglas for enabling us to grow in freedom, peace and prosperity. Rest in Peace, your duty is done sir......
All those RAF boys are hero’s, each and every one of them. Brilliant viewing, best one I’ve ever seen. And yes, I had a tear in my eye. What a great man Sir DB was, not many like him around now, such a shame.
This episode of "This is your life", aired in March 1982. Sadly less than 4 months later, the actor (Kenneth More) who played him in the movie about his life, "Reach for the Sky", passed away. Two months after that, Bader passed on Sept 5, 1982. Glad they were both around to see this tribute, but it's such a pity that we wait so long to honour the greats.
+Debi Taylor I'm wondering if all the standing up and sitting down he had to do constantly all through out the show contributed to his passing (just kidding). I know it was making me exhausted just watching him poor ol' bugger :(
I agree . I think they should have allowed him to sit, although I am sure that being such a determined individual he was too much of a true gentleman to remain seated.
Inspirational. I was lucky met the man in the early 1970's when he visited South Australia. As a young journalist with a great respect for the man and his deeds, I timidly asked: "What is it like to be a hero?" Steely-eyed, he responded: "There are no live heroes".
His hurricane had extra room for is giant Balls. A true British hero, and I'm proud to say he lived in my village called conisbrough in South Yorkshire.
I had the privilege of meeting this great man in an informal situation and found him totally charming. He was not given to changing his mind once he'd made a decision.
Wow im in awww at seeing two ww2 fighter pilots that once was trying too kill each other now hugging each other. This video is awesome total respect too douglas bader and adolf galland gentlemen at war gentlemen in peace best friends in heart. Respect i was born in the wrong centuary .. R.I.P. douglas bader ...
Anyone who fails to shed a tear of joy and sorrow while watching this.... Then may God have mercy on your soul. Possibly the best TIYL ever made. Seriously emotive stuff and bursting with pride
Note how this man graciously rises to his feet to greet the guests. One can only imagine the discomfort to him to do that. An extraaordianry man in an age of real heroes.
An absolute hero, like so many at that time. Sadly of today's generation, most have no idea just how brave these young men were. Especially those, who never returned.
supernumery I really don’t think that reply was necessary to that post?? All the person was saying was that most people today don’t know what that generation went through? Completely over the top
The problem nowadays is that the youth don't realise that the old fogey shaking and stumbling in front of them were young once, and were the shit hot fighter pilot, aircrew or soldier who gave so much for them.
My Dad lost both his legs in WWII, stood on a land mine in Italy. He wrote to Douglas Bader in 1946 and received a reply with tips and help in coping, and my Dad went on to live a full life, get married, raise 4 kids, drive a car, build me a tree house, swam in the surf and held down a regular job. He decided at the onset to be positive, and he stuck to it.
Great story, thanks for sharing. My father lost a leg covering the retreat from Dunkirk. He spent years in prisoner of war camps. He always claimed to have been lucky as his sergeant had his head blown off. After the war he too lived a full life, dropping dead at the age of 80, getting out of bed. He had known for a year that he had lung cancer and told no one. That generation knew what suffering was, but didn't complain. They just were grateful to be alive, and knew that every day was a bonus.
A Yank at the end of the Oregon trail; say'n thanks to the folks uploading this, and letting an old guy learn about your hero: Sir Douglas Bader. I found the movie first cause, I like WWII movies. What a treat this program turned out to be, good people are truly hard to come by..
You really need to stop learning RIGHT NOW! You might not be able to take the shock discovering that AMERICA DIDN'T WIN THE WAR ALL BY ITSELF. A common misconception if you only watch American war films...
@@koitorob no Britain won the war on it own of course...we won the war ya ya ya ....no one else at all helped you out....just English and no one else!!!!!!!! Ive seen enough british war films to know what they were pushing!!!!!!!
This was wonderful to watch just now..... If only my step-father could have been here to watch it with me as Douglas Bader was his cousin.... Douglas came to Perth, Western Australia but didn't speak to my step-father at the time, such a shame..., As a young girl my step-father gave me the book on Douglas Bader's life called, "Reach for the Sky" and I treasured it for many years till it was destroyed due to water damage, it still remains one of my favourite books.... God bless you Douglas Bader.
In the UK’s darkest time during the summer of 1940 fighter pilots like Sir Douglas Bader took the air fighting into the faces of the Nazi Luftwaffe and shot them out of Britain’s air air space outnumbered 3-1.His inspirational courage and leadership will hopefully remain immortal for generations to come.
What an amazing bunch of guys. Different breed to kids today. Made of much sterner stuff. Heroes every one. Sir Douglas was a personal hero of mine growing up, so to see him get emotional here with all the accolades is truly moving. Such a shame he didn't live much longer. Without doubt the best TIYL I've ever seen.
'Different breed to kids today. Made of much sterner stuff.' - You couldn't be more wrong. you should read what they were saying in the 1930s about the youth then. They were the one who defeated fascism and I'm sure we'd do it again.
Really ? Different times but our forces personnel are still magnificent young people from diverse backgrounds serving their commander in chief the king and their country in many parts of the world
This has to be the best presentation that I have seen on TH-cam. Sir Douglas Bader and his comrades and foes alike are all inspirations of a bygone age. I thank God for them all and truly believe that they all RIP. I hope that future generations will remember these heroes that gave their all so that we could have so much.
Unfortunately, we piss upon the heroes of WW2 who risked - and gave - their lives to fight fascism, by supporting the fascism we now live under (Indefinite detention without charges? Even torture and assassination without charges? The trampling of Magna Carte? Millions of innocent civilians dead? THIS is our world today!)
This is an incredible piece of footage. It really is a who’s who of WW2 heroes, and it should stay on TH-cam forever. All those names I’ve read about over the years, to see them all together celebrating Bader’s life, is humbling and inspiring. Thank you for posting.
Outstanding tribute... to watch this, especially after just watching "Reach For the Sky!" A late friend, an RCAF fighter pilot...he flew F-86's, Vampires, Banshees, CF 100's, CF 101's, CF 104 and the CF -5.....attended "The Gathering of Eagles"...... The Commonwealth Wartime Aircrew Reunion at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 24-27 September 1970. In attendance were.....General Lieutenant Adolph Galland, Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson, Group Captain Douglas Bader, Air Commodore Johnnie Fauquier.........Speeches captured on a cassette tape are part of my library which I'm honored to play every Battle of Britain Mess Dinner ........God bless them all! Canadian veteran.
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Wonderful to see all those famous people and yet so sad that none are alive today. Douglas Bader was an inspiration to me as a young boy in the 1950's after I saw the film "Reach for the Sky". Little did I know then I would lose both my legs 50 years later. I still gain mental strength even today when I think of that great man.
+Adrian Larkins He was my childhood hero too and I am also now an amputee. Men like Douglas are sorely missed.
Yes he inspired my friend who met him, shaped his life from meeting the great Bader
Yes I found it better sweet as well, seeing so many who have gone before
Adrian Larkins is a good
Unfortunately Reach for the Sky was total balls. My grandfather worked with Bader and did not have a good thing to say about him, apart from he was a total self serving bastard. Bader was shot down not had a collision as he claimed and was portrayed in the film, Galland confirmed that he was shot down. Bader lost his legs doing a low roll at 50 feet totally against all regulations that he continually broke. He wrote off two Spitfires through bad flying, over claimed victories immensely claiming 3 on one day alone, his total score was 4. His role in the Battle of Britain was minor apart from pissing everyone else off with his theory of the big wing which naturally would have benefitted him. As a POW he was detested by fellow inmates.
The greatest generation.
My heart hurts for our people, for what Britain has become.
It's due to World War II.
What are you upset about? Because it is 81% white? You are pathetic.
People who hark back to the days of Empire are utterly clueless. The Empire did nothing for the average Briton, we toiled down the mines, in factories, and died on the battlefield. For what? So the wealthy and aristocracy could have even more wealth and power.
The heroes of the war fought against people with your small-minded worldview. Hitler was able to manipulate and utilise people like you who are obsessed with race and nationalism to take power and start his war.
It's just sad people never learn. You have the fantasy view of Britain in the past, it's nostalgia deluded and wasn't that great. I'd much rather live in Britain now than at any other time, it's objectively better by almost every measure.
That man was worth ten thousand of todays so called celebrities.
Wrong. He was ON their level. An ego CUNT.
His personal views would probably send most people into a fit of rage today and you'd be fighting people off from attacking him
Notice how General Adolf Galland adores Sir Douglas. And Sir Douglas' eyes water the second he sees him. What gentlemen, a different breed of men to today's generations. Makes me wish I was born in that era.
+G10rgos_7 agreed
+G10rgos_7 I think Galland is actually Godfater to one of his kids!
It is the respect to each other, fighterpilots are special people, much of them become close friends.
There are other videos here, like : Warbirds in review Shorty Rankin and Gunther Rall, or
Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown.
ffsear12 - With respect, you must be incorrect. Bader never had children and, as far as I know, neither adopted.
Im 48. First time I've seen this . I'm in tears.
If ever this country needed a man like this then it is now in 2022 . God bless you Douglas.
This 💯%.
Even more now in2024
What are you upset about? Because it is 81% white? You are pathetic.
People who hark back to the days of Empire are utterly clueless. The Empire did nothing for the average Briton, we toiled down the mines, in factories, and died on the battlefield. For what? So the wealthy and aristocracy could have even more wealth and power.
The heroes of the war fought against people with your small-minded worldview. Hitler was able to manipulate and utilise people like you who are obsessed with race and nationalism to take power and start his war.
It's just sad people never learn. You have the fantasy view of Britain in the past, it's nostalgia deluded and wasn't that great. I'd much rather live in Britain now than at any other time, it's objectively better by almost every measure.
To see a man with no legs stand up when his wife enters the room! Gallantry and politeness. Says so much about the man!
Absolutely inspirational! He always looked to sacrifice and serve. Brave, selfless, humble. The vast majority of leaders today are a sad contrast to Douglas Badger.
He was anything but "humble".
5th September 1982, 6 months after this show was aired Bader died of heart attack. Almost 40 years after this show was aired most if not all of the personalities seen are also now deceased through the march of time. May they all rest in peace and Douglas Bader thanks for your service.😎
40 years ago as of now
Sad wish I meet him he's my idle I've also disability very mild Learning Disability but his my hero
Hero!
.. Sadly Kenneth More died four months after this show
In that room, Ladies and Gentlemen are some real heroes, the kind that gave us the freedoms we enjoy today.
@King Royal Really? Germany was intent on its own form of colonialism, Britain already had an empire, so was it really the case that we fought to preserve the empire, or was it the case we fought to end an evil regime, we had a pact with Poland, if Germany hadn't attacked Poland then we would not have fought so kind of turns your theory on its head really.
@King Royal Are you being serious? The Germans and Poles hated each other for years even before the war began, in 1939 Poland became the first country the Germans invaded in open war thus causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany, Poland being an ally of Britain who was allied with France, Honestly, if you are going to argue such points one really needs to do ones research so as not to look foolish in front of others.
@King Royal Point 1, they did not Allie, Germany merely gave assurances that it would not attack Poland if they annexed part of Czechoslovakia, Germany allowed this because Hitler thought it would make it easier to blame Poland for aggressive acts thus giving him legitimate cause to attack Poland later on.
The Germans were delighted with the outcome. They were happy to give up a provincial rail center to Poland. It was indeed a small sacrifice, spread the blame of the partition of Czechoslovakia, made Poland an accomplice in the process, and confused the issue as well as political expectations. Poland was accused of being an accomplice of Nazi Germany.
In November 1938, Poland crossed into Slovakia where a minor firefight took place, resulting in two fatalities on the Polish side, before the Slovak withdrawal.
Poland occupied some northern parts of Slovakia and received from Czechoslovakia Zaolzie, territories around Suchá Hora and Hladovka, around Javorina, and in addition the territory around Lesnica in the Pieniny Mountains, a small territory around Skalité, and some other very small border regions. Poland officially received the territories on 1 November 1938.
At no time did Germany and Poland actually form an alliance.
Point 2, Hitler knew as early as 1933 that he would if he ever came to power, go to war with Poland, he wrote as much in his book Mein Kampf.
@King Royal You are right anyone can copy and paste but it does not detract from the truth, and the truth is Germany and Poland were never allies, they did have a few backroom chats but not an alliance, An right from the First world war they have both regarded each other with suspicious eyes.
@King Royal No, the world thought that Poland had sided with Germany over Poland's attack on Czechoslovakia because Germany did not oppose it or condemn it, yet still, no formal declaration of an alliance was made between them, if you think there was then how about sitting your evidence, just post a link to it here, tho I doubt you will find one as no such alliance ever existed between Germany and Poland.
I will always remember the day in the early 1970's when Sir Douglas Bader came to my school (Pimlico in London) to make a presentation. The school hall was massive and was completely filled with kids. We didn't know who was coming to do this presentation, but we were stunned when he walked in in that inimitable way he walked. Without a lie, every single pupil in the hall (at least 600 of us) once we realised who it was, leapt to our feet cheering and waving our arms about, it was absolute bedlam for at least a minute until he asked us to quieten down, which of course we obeyed immediately (it was about the only thing we ever did obey).
We were young kids, but we knew exactly who this man was and what he had achieved (as well as what we owed him - and others like him) If anyone thinks this man wasn't a hero in the true sense of the world, I would be very willing to educate you! Hats of to you Sir Douglas, you were one hell of a bloke! At this point there are 109 thumbs down - I wonder who they may be?" X box warriors" I presume.
@James Henderson How was he a Nazi lover. He spent his time shooting them down you dope. Its a shame one of them never landed on the house of your grandparents, then we wouldn't have had petulant little boys like you to put up with.
The thing is, we had parents who lived through those days & we were not brainwashed little lefties like you. What the fuck would someone like you know about these sort of people eh....fuck all!
@@ericwilliams2317 I know little Jimmy Hendersons wet nurse, she says hes always peeing in his incontinence pants and bedwetting is a constant issue. So be tender, one day he'll understand as he matures.😫😖😜
Well said and God bless 🙏.
109 very naive, unfeeling, mindless stupid nobodies!
The school has changed a bit.
Galland, on a business trip to California, cancelled his plans, and flew to England to attend Baders’ funeral.
A soldier and a gentleman.
Even though its sad he passed away later that year, I'm so glad they were able to do this before his death, this was a beautiful celebration of life.
No love I been watching Douglas Vader this is ur lifecycle he manached to see this just before he died it was wonderful it was two years ago xxxxxxx
He was a vile racist.
Never has that red book come so close to splitting, this episode should be shown in schools, forget Schwarzenegger, Stallone etc. this was a REAL action hero
They wouldn't show that in schools today. most of the children don't know a thing about the war. They are fed Africa week or black history month. What has happened to our country?
Its called "social justice", my limey friends. Communism for the coalition of the ascending (as long as you're not white, you're in.)
@@Velvetcool its went PC mad....least some of us can see throught the Bullshit!
They'd probably call him a racist and a phobe now. Disgraceful.
@@Velvetcool pity the ignorance of RACISM....
A beautiful human being and a national treasure your what made this country great god bless you sir Douglas
Seeing him and Galland together had my cutting onions, men of this generation are all but gone now. True men ,true heros
Not so sure on galland he was part of the nazi regime
Well said sir!
As much as it’s good to see old enemies become friends I will not go so far as to include Galland among my heroes. He looked a good chap when was laughing away with a cigar and a glass in his hand but in his youth he was doing his utmost to see Britain defeated and debased by the Nazis, and he was personally responsible for killing dozens of young Allied pilots who should have had families and lived into old age. The same applies to Gunter Rall another great bloke who I recalled being paraded along the flight line at Duxford. I would have turned my back.
@@paulhicks6667 Such is your NARROW mindset... He faught for HIS country when called to do so.... That is ALL that can be asked of him. The people.. The ENGLISH People that applauded him on that day thought so as well... Why cannot you?
@@paulhicks6667"Enemies then but great friends now" what part are you not getting sir?
Makes you proud to be bloody British is all I can say. So many humble, genuine people. 🇬🇧🍻
spot on
I'm not ashamed to admit I am sobbing...can you just imagine the typical ' hero ' or celebrity we would have on this today ? Someone off love Island ? This was an incredible episode..on a side note, Sir John Mills is a personal hero in our family..when my Grandad was at war and people were quite literally living in poverty, Sir John gave his little boys clothes and toys to my Gran, to help with my Uncle David, who was just 18 months old..sadly my lovely Gran died at just 36, but his quiet kindness and generosity to our family ( who lived on the same street ) during this terrible time , will never be forgotten.
Not all heroes wear capes 😔
What a beautiful story 👍🏻 God bless.
They wear RAF wings instead.emblazened on their chests, RIP, what a legend.
Omg fantastic, Britain was never so great in both world wars
This is like a Who's Who, or for any younger readers, a Top Trumps, of fighter pilots.
Beautifully put. Shed a tear myself RIP
Christ. I’m in tears. The bravery and honour of these people. The women in France who helped him escape - what bravery. This is just one of the most tremendous programmes I’ve seen.
…On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”…
The people that helped "The Ego" ended up in a Concentration Camp. NOW start your "tears" you pathetic bastard.
Brilliant. Thank for posting. So good to see so many faces of prominent RAF personnel of who I've only previously read about, e.g. Hugh Dundas and AVM Johnny Johnson. Fascinating.
Some superheroes don’t have legs. What a man, what a life lived!!
This made ne cry. Such brave people. We should never forget this great generation.
Yes, a pleasure to the great men together. They are heroes and no, we will never see their like again or character again. So much owed to all servicemen, they all deserve our forever thanks and respect. Not many left now, those who are left and those who are no longer with us are true national treasures…thank you all
I heard that in the '70's a gentleman wrote to Sir Douglas asking him to write to his mother who had just had a leg amputated and wasn't doing well as she had admired him so much during the war. The following day Sir Douglas turned up with an enormous bunch of flowers and she started to make a full recovery from then on.
rhannay39 when you say 'full recovery' I take it you mean, she grew another leg.
@@RB747domme Lol
@@RB747domme I Laughed my ass off when I read this. One of funniest comments I have ever read on internet.....
Well said sir.
@@michaeldoyle2844 we shouldn't really but it was funny.Douglas would've loved it.
Someone who can truly wear the badge of Legend. I don't care if he was a bit arrogant - he got on and did what he had to do. Huge respect to him and all of The Few.
thank fuck folk like this arrogant tosser are few....
A bit arrogant, he was very arrogant and had an entitled attitude. He was disliked by many that served with him.
@@paulcrewe3125 Yes, but it was his attitude that made him walk and fly again. He earned the right to be arrogant.
@@tonyhaynes9080 No one has the right to be arrogant. These war heroes expect special treatment which I disagree. I would liked to have knocked his block off, but that would have been arrogant of me.
@Paul Crewe Being arrogant does come at a price.
Difference is in the present those who display an entitled attitude can be found guilty by the public and media falling from grace instantly.
It's so amazing to see such people like Bader and Galland together as friends on TV during times of peace.
A truly great man that makes you feel emotional for what he did for this country
I read Adolf Galland's book, 'The First and the Last'. He had no time for Hitler or Goering. That event in Galland's book is true, when he asked Goering for a Squadron of Spitfires! Just winding Goering up. Adolf Galland was also great friends, after the war, with Robert Stanford Tuck, and both took part as advisors in the making of the 1969 Movie Battle of Britain.
If nothing else that should confirm for each of us that Smedley was bang on: WAR IS A RACKET.
Yeah, Galland was fighting to establish Death Camps on UK soil. You sad bastard.
Bad show... What a man and a true leader. Us Brits used to make a habit of breeding such men
Back in around 1985, I met General Adolph Galland at Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. They were restoring a Messerschmitt BF 109 WWII German fighter. I was watching them working on it when to my surprise Adolph Galland came up to me. I wish we could have had cellphones back then to take a picture together! I just happened to be in the right place at the right time! At another time, I got to meet Gregory "Pappy" Boyington! I'm blessed to have gotten to be friends with 11 of the original 100 FLYING TIGER pilots and Boyington was one of them! God bless all of them AND special for Douglas Bader!
Hello from Australia. As a young north Qld woman pilot I was shocked to be invited to a Marquee to meet Sir Douglas Bader in 1981 at the Schofields Air Show in NSW. It was love at first sight. He exuded such charisma, such brilliant blue eyes, yet such a commanding presence. I was quite aware of his aviation history, his escapism abilities, and his unbelievable bravery. I will never forget the encounter or the man. Without a doubt - Britain's secret weapon - his reputational impact on all those service men and women who fought on despite the shocking losses. How much he must have inspired those around the world to contribute to the war effort in any way they could, despite age, infirmity or whatever. That in retirement he continued to serve the community is a testament to the strength of his character. May God Bless Him.
Sir Douglas is an inspiration and a true hero. Many of the folks on that stage that fought and won the Battle of Britain deserve knighthoods but never received them. When they are given to entertainers today, it so degrades the honor. Sir Douglas is the gold standard. And to think that he received this distinction for his meaningful work with the disabled rather than his WW2 exploits.
He got DSO’s and DFC’s (distinguished service order and distinguished flying cross) for his WWII exploits, the latter is quite high ranking award.
The only person I saw on this is your life who got a standing ovation at the end. True hero rip sir xx
What a man. Wonderful tributes and memories from all involved. We must never forget these men and women who fought so fervently for our freedom and also those those on the opposite side who were understanding about the cause but knew right from wrong.
This genuinely made me emotional. I would give anything to spend an hour with all of those brave heroes. It makes me so sad as a 29 year old who’s grandfather flew spitfires in the war also, to know that so many of my generation and younger have such little appreciation for what these brave men did for us. I’m sure they’re also turning in their graves at how so many young people have little to no patriotism for their country anymore and also seem to want to undermine everything that these men and women fort so valiantly for. Rest in peace chaps and thank you for everything you did for us. God bless.
well said, sadly Sir Douglas died later the same year this was filmed. 1982
LHE44 ,,,,ohhh, how very well said
My grandfather died from his injuries on Dday. God bless the war dead.
It boils my piss that this country is being given away to a load of third world people.
God bless your truthful words . God bless and save the U.K..
The greatest generation indeed. Seeing all those former fighter pilots together with a former adversary (Adolph Galland ) was incredible and actually got me quite emotional. Gladiators of the sky, the few, who fought off a formidable enemy (Luftwaffe) saving dear old Blighty from possible invasion. They're all, or nearly all, sadly gone however they will always be remembered and for the huge debt we owe them. We won't see their like again.
Wow - I never knew that Adolf Galland actually came on This is Your Life to meet and pay tribute to Douglas Bader. Incredible footage and everyone's really respectful...
They were very good friends for a long time after the war. After being shot down Bader was invited to Gallands airfield by his unit and was shown around a Bf109. They held each other in high regard.
Galland flew from a business trip in California to attend Bader's funeral.
To think what knighthoods are given for now.
For example, Sir Nick Clegg!
Yes; just two a penny now.
To be honest they are normally handed out to wealthy actors and singer's, This is your life is often about very wealthy people giving each other a pat on the back and telling everyone how great they are.
So it's good see a non famous person on the show for a change, unfortunately ratings for this episode when broadcast were quite low which is often the case, sadly if he'd been in a sitcom or film star than the ratings would have been high
Yet David Beckham doesn't qualify....LoL. There's obviously still some common sense about.
sir ed davey springs to mind, a worthless waste of space
The man stands up every time, must have been in pain but that's the man. Never forget these hero's of the world.
I can’t adequately find the words to express my feelings watching this, especially given what we have allowed our country to become after all these fine men and women risked and gave so that we could inherit it. So grateful for them and so much sadder at what we did with their legacy. I hope they will forgive our weakness.
The changes happened because of World War II.
What an amazing man. This programme is a piece of history and inspiration that should be stored forever.
Must be hard to look at each other in afer that terrible horrific War
What a stunning collection of achievers and true celebrities and heroes. Depressing to think what passes for 'celebrity' today.
So true....I often think this.
Oh so very true. Men of courage, conviction and character.
@@markharrison2544 And what were the men he fought against?
@@mikeat53 Following orders.
sadly 'celebrity' has lost all meaning now.
A real hero, god bless you sir and thank you
That is what a HERO looks like, not someone coming out of the closet, or admitting to some addiction etc.. THIS IS A HERO and many many other heros on this show! Sadly Only a few left now but true heros, one and all!
He was a racist.
This brought tears to my eyes. Will young men in 2023 know a Hero like this, again?
Notice what a gentleman Galland is.
What they didn't say, and is clearly seen in the photo of this visit in the book, and that was the cocked pistol aiming at him just in case he did try and escape in the 109.
Yes i have letters from him. A Great gentelman, and kindly too! So is Douglas Bader.
@Julius Agricola I agree.
Not all were Nazis.
My uncle served in the LRDG, you'll know about that ?.
He met Rommel once, briefly as a pow inTobruk.
Uncle Eddy said Rommel was a true gentleman.
Did his best for the pows and his own men.🧐🏴
@@tonyhaynes9080 In fact that was not a cocked pistol pointing at him it was indeed a pair of gloves the guy was holding, the pistol theory was disproved long ago by Galland and others and was propaganda at its best .
Adolf Galland, Douglas Bader, Al Deere and the rest. What a tableau of REAL men, in a world of social media and entitled, over-sensitive little darlings...,
These are the kind of men Britain needs now.
What a tribute to that man. Quite emotional to be honest. All friends, war time buddies, German officers and later friends and last but not least a message from the queen.
This is well deserving to a true hero. What do we get now?
Personal biography and night hoods of bloody footballers.
You should read up on how Bader treated his batman at Colditz to see the darker side of his character. He may have been brave but many of his fellow-pilots had harsh words about his treatment of the lower ranks.
@michaelkenny8540 I've just finished Ben Macintyre's book too; the treatment of Alex Ross was disgusting.
Give me that over war anyday
And to think there are those today, who are determined to destroy everything these men bravely fought for.
Is there anybody who can seriously say they don't admire this great man and what he achieved in his life, what he accomplished? I agree with all the comments below, this is a man who the world should never forget, an example to us all. As I said in another thread, he redefined the word Hero.
@supernumery Many years ago I worked for a company that had shared Shell's office in the city. It was before my time but many people remembered Bader and all of them said he was incredibly rude and arrogant and thoroughly unpleasant. He apparently would walk across the road without stopping and swear in front of women which at that time was unacceptable.
The people who told me this were city insurance workers and not left wing agitators. He lost his legs showing off aerobatting too near the ground. His big wing was a tactical disaster. The French family who sheltered him during he ridiculous escape attempt died in a concentration camp for helping him.
He obviously was brave and determined but he was also a complete twat.
Heard the same thing from a fellow Battle of Britain pilot.
@@markharrison2544 Bader came from a different era 75 years ago, he was a true fighter 'the dogs bollocks'!
Fighting for a bunch of bankers??
@@wile.coyote8466 Bader was a grandstanding idiot with an out of control ego.
I read Reach for The Sky as a very young boy. I was so impressed that I wrote a short letter to Douglas telling him how much I enjoyed the book . I said I thought he was a very brave man and I hoped to be just like him. I addressed the letter to Group Captain Douglas Bader C/O Shell Oil Company. Two weeks later I received a brief letter from my boyhood hero thanking me for my kind comments and wishing me the best of luck in all my endeavors, signed in sky blue ink: Douglas Bader.
In later years I learned that Douglas's manner was not to everyone's taste. This came as no surprise and did nothing to alter my view that he was a very single minded and determined man. Clearly it would be true to say he did not suffer fools in any way. I admire him to this day.
REACH FOR THE OFF BUTTON TO THIS JINOGISTIC BOLLOX
@@Martin-lp4yg Listen you disgusting little troll. Sir Douglas was a very brave man - which evidently you aren't. He was a hero - which you will NEVER Be,
Probably one of the best of This is your Life,How wonderful to see the freindship between Sir Douglas and General Galland(two legends).It goes to show that people can make peace!!
@supernumery idiot
@supernumery Screw you. Bader did more in a few years of war than you've done with your whole life.
Galland, make no mistake was 100% nazi, a nasty cunt if ever there was one
@@JimWalsh-rl5dj Really !! Give me your source .
@supernumery SCUMBAG
And we call sportsmen/sportswoman hero's, these men are the real deal!
This must have been just about the single biggest collection of realtime WWII warheroes the world has seen since VE-day. Such a shame most of them, if not all by now, are no longer with us. A big thank you for sharing this, Alex Kerr. Excellent show!
I never tire of seeing this.
As an amputee myself he has been an inspiration to me and many more like myself.
A true legend of triumph over adversity.
Amen.
An extraordinary man, perfectly suited to have been born at that point in history. Yes he had as many faults as anyone, but most importantly he lifted the spirits of a nation at a time of life-and-death crisis. When I was a very young man and budding pilot I met Sir Douglas at an airshow in Schofields, Sydney in 1979 after an introduction from Clive Caldwell and found him very gracious with his time.
They do not make men like this anymore lost generation of hero’s and gentlemen
Douglas bader came to my high school in rhodesia back in early 60s i have a photograph of him shaking the hand of our head prefect who was killed in the rhodesian war a few years later. Rip. Db.
crickey, I am sitting here tears rolling down my face and it is 2019, what a man and what wonderful ladies in France who sacrificed so much for him a true inspiration at the time and for all he did in the face of adversity
Undoubtedly one of the greatest Britons who ever lived. Sir Douglas Bader was a true inspiration, a man who overcame adversity and went on to achieve more than almost anyone I can think of. Sir John Mills summed it up when he said there was no one who deserved a knighthood more.
I remember watching this programme with my father when it was first shown. Sir Douglas was a hero to him, and through learning about his exploits from my dad, he became a hero to me. Sadly he's been rather forgotten since his death and I believe his life story should be proclaimed and become more widely known again.
Thank you so much for sharing this programme. It brought back so many memories.
i agree 100%
@supernumery SCUMBAG.
@@robertgarrett4046 SCUMBAG.
Agree , his crash was completely avoidable , showing off trying to do a low level barrel roll over the field
@supernumery his crash was several years before the war you numpty, no issues with being 'desperately short of 'planes'' then.
His knighthood was for services in support of disabled people in the decades after the war. You're clearly just a troll who just hates people who have actually achieved something in life...
What a complete legend and all those who fought along side him. So modest and humble and yet brave ! By coincidence I held my wedding reception at the prep school he attended in the 1920s, so my research continues. R.I.P. Sir. Dougie
The word "Hero" is used far too often these days ,but this lad IS a HERO
Incredibly moving, tear jerking, a real hero
Ahhhh, you pathetic bastard.
What a great man he was and his courage inspired many. RIP Sir Douglas Bader. Martin. (Thailand)
What a wonderful show. Many of these fall sadly flat with not very interesting stories but I wish I could have gone to the after party. Thank you for posting this fabulous story. I cry when I see how the world today is so weak. And what happened to real gentleman. The most fantastic “This is your life” EVER!
We will never see the strength of these amazing men again.
Women too. God Bless them. I loved watching this.
There are not many men that embody such a sense of dignified bravery, determination and understated humility. A true hero. Group Captain, Sir Douglas Bader is one such man.
Thank you for sharing this, I have been looking for this for years....This man and thousands like him were true heroes and an inspiration to me and many like me of my generation who were born and grew up just after the War. My school, near Hornchurch, in the 1960's changed the names of it's houses to Bader, Malan, Tuck and Finucane, after some of the pilots who flew from RAF Hornchurch during the dark days of the War. I was elected House Captain of Bader house in the late 1960's and I recall the lovely letter I received from Sir Douglas, addressed to me at the school. It is a cliche to say that " they don't make em like this anymore" , but it is true.....more is the pity. Thank you Sir Douglas for enabling us to grow in freedom, peace and prosperity. Rest in Peace, your duty is done sir......
@supernumery why dont you get a life just because you have nothing in ur life to call a hero
The calibre of these men and women is breathtaking…rarely seen these days, what an inspiration
you can see why this was the "greatest generation" all through this video
All those RAF boys are hero’s, each and every one of them. Brilliant viewing, best one I’ve ever seen. And yes, I had a tear in my eye. What a great man Sir DB was, not many like him around now, such a shame.
This episode of "This is your life", aired in March 1982. Sadly less than 4 months later, the actor (Kenneth More) who played him in the movie about his life, "Reach for the Sky", passed away. Two months after that, Bader passed on Sept 5, 1982.
Glad they were both around to see this tribute, but it's such a pity that we wait so long to honour the greats.
+Debi Taylor I'm wondering if all the standing up and sitting down he had to do constantly all through out the show contributed to his passing (just kidding). I know it was making me exhausted just watching him poor ol' bugger :(
LOL Bad ass or not he was, first and foremost a GENTLEMAN!!!
I agree . I think they should have allowed him to sit, although I am sure that being such a determined individual he was too much of a true gentleman to remain seated.
@@AlphaGeekgirl ,,, i smiled when Gen Galland came on and forced him to sit down, a nod to the depth of their great friendship
Sadly they do it too soon now .Some not deserved.
Inspirational. I was lucky met the man in the early 1970's when he visited South Australia. As a young journalist with a great respect for the man and his deeds, I timidly asked: "What is it like to be a hero?" Steely-eyed, he responded: "There are no live heroes".
Fucking legend.
A childhood hero of mine. I read every book about him that I could find it the local libraries. Indomitable spirit, courageous and a great leader. 👍👏
It used to be a real value system 40 or more years ago. We had real great heroes who were our role models as we grew up.
His hurricane had extra room for is giant Balls. A true British hero, and I'm proud to say he lived in my village called conisbrough in South Yorkshire.
This is fantastic.
Douglas Bader and Adolf Galland... the definition of peace and friendship.
Nazis reunited!
I had the privilege of meeting this great man in an informal situation and found him totally charming. He was not given to changing his mind once he'd made a decision.
Wow im in awww at seeing two ww2 fighter pilots that once was trying too kill each other now hugging each other. This video is awesome total respect too douglas bader and adolf galland gentlemen at war gentlemen in peace best friends in heart. Respect i was born in the wrong centuary .. R.I.P. douglas bader ...
Jeff warden ,,,well said Jeff
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz upper crusts acting afterwards like it was some game...piss off with this upper crust attitude to war...seriously...get to fuck!
A good man. Thank you Sir Douglas, your legacy lives on.
Anyone who fails to shed a tear of joy and sorrow while watching this.... Then may God have mercy on your soul. Possibly the best TIYL ever made. Seriously emotive stuff and bursting with pride
Well said sir and God bless.
Note how this man graciously rises to his feet to greet the guests. One can only
imagine the discomfort to him to do that. An extraaordianry man in an age of
real heroes.
Awesome...Gen. Galland, a true gentleman and soldier!
Was he your favourite Nazi?
@@MisAnnThorpe lol...weissbier fur alle!!!!!
One of my hero's, they don't make them like Sir Douglas anymore. If only you could bottle the bravery in that room.
Simply unbelievable! So uplifting in these dark times
the times are only dark for the fearful. man thyself up and face down this fascist global government.
As a kid growing up in England he was a true hero to me and kids everywhere
Wonderful to see how much respect General Galland had for Bader. Both great flyers. Tremendous to see Bob Tuck as well.
A legend. I always lived by his quote: "“Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men". Quality.
So where do you come in?
An absolute hero, like so many at that time. Sadly of today's generation, most have no idea just how brave these young men were. Especially those, who never returned.
supernumery
I really don’t think that reply was necessary to that post?? All the person was saying was that most people today don’t know what that generation went through? Completely over the top
@supernumery HORRIBLE!
The problem nowadays is that the youth don't realise that the old fogey shaking and stumbling in front of them were young once, and were the shit hot fighter pilot, aircrew or soldier who gave so much for them.
My Dad lost both his legs in WWII, stood on a land mine in Italy. He wrote to Douglas Bader in 1946 and received a reply with tips and help in coping, and my Dad went on to live a full life, get married, raise 4 kids, drive a car, build me a tree house, swam in the surf and held down a regular job. He decided at the onset to be positive, and he stuck to it.
Wonderful story, thanks for sharing his strength and commitment to progress.👍😀
Great story, thanks for sharing. My father lost a leg covering the retreat from Dunkirk. He spent years in prisoner of war camps. He always claimed to have been lucky as his sergeant had his head blown off. After the war he too lived a full life, dropping dead at the age of 80, getting out of bed. He had known for a year that he had lung cancer and told no one. That generation knew what suffering was, but didn't complain. They just were grateful to be alive, and knew that every day was a bonus.
A Yank at the end of the Oregon trail; say'n thanks to the folks uploading this, and letting an old guy learn about your hero: Sir Douglas Bader. I found the movie first cause, I like WWII movies. What a treat this program turned out to be, good people are truly hard to come by..
You really need to stop learning RIGHT NOW!
You might not be able to take the shock discovering that AMERICA DIDN'T WIN THE WAR ALL BY ITSELF.
A common misconception if you only watch American war films...
@@koitorob no Britain won the war on it own of course...we won the war ya ya ya ....no one else at all helped you out....just English and no one else!!!!!!!! Ive seen enough british war films to know what they were pushing!!!!!!!
Thank you from a brit who loves anything ww2 for appreciating a true hero, Lets not forget though there have been hero's on all sides.
.. USSR helped earlier and lost more lives
Men like this make you proud of our heritage. I can't see many of today's generation being such an inspiration sadly. RIP Sir.
Rise to the occasion, my boy.
@@sirbader1 lol Empire building slaughter heritage?
I'm ashamed of most of my English heritage...
@@johnathandaviddunster38😅😅😅😅😅
This was wonderful to watch just now..... If only my step-father could have been here to watch it with me as Douglas Bader was his cousin.... Douglas came to Perth, Western Australia but didn't speak to my step-father at the time, such a shame...,
As a young girl my step-father gave me the book on Douglas Bader's life called, "Reach for the Sky" and I treasured it for many years till it was destroyed due to water damage, it still remains one of my favourite books.... God bless you Douglas Bader.
@supernumery Youre a coward.
A generation that we can only look back on in awe
The old RAF... what a collection of well educated, respectful, polite Gentlemen
And what a handful they must have been to the enemy !
In the UK’s darkest time during the summer of 1940 fighter pilots like Sir Douglas Bader took the air fighting into the faces of the Nazi Luftwaffe and shot them out of Britain’s air air space outnumbered 3-1.His inspirational courage and leadership will hopefully remain immortal for generations to come.
What an amazing bunch of guys. Different breed to kids today. Made of much sterner stuff. Heroes every one. Sir Douglas was a personal hero of mine growing up, so to see him get emotional here with all the accolades is truly moving. Such a shame he didn't live much longer. Without doubt the best TIYL I've ever seen.
'Different breed to kids today. Made of much sterner stuff.' - You couldn't be more wrong. you should read what they were saying in the 1930s about the youth then. They were the one who defeated fascism and I'm sure we'd do it again.
Really ? Different times but our forces personnel are still magnificent young people from diverse backgrounds serving their commander in chief the king and their country in many parts of the world
Bader was an inspiration of courage and determination to me when I was a boy, and his memory still is now. God bless the man!
This has to be the best presentation that I have seen on TH-cam. Sir Douglas Bader and his comrades and foes alike are all inspirations of a bygone age. I thank God for them all and truly believe that they all RIP. I hope that future generations will remember these heroes that gave their all so that we could have so much.
Unfortunately, we piss upon the heroes of WW2 who risked - and gave - their lives to fight fascism, by supporting the fascism we now live under (Indefinite detention without charges? Even torture and assassination without charges? The trampling of Magna Carte? Millions of innocent civilians dead? THIS is our world today!)
Dame Vera Lynn still alive in 2019 at age 102!
Very good comment, very true.
This is an incredible piece of footage. It really is a who’s who of WW2 heroes, and it should stay on TH-cam forever. All those names I’ve read about over the years, to see them all together celebrating Bader’s life, is humbling and inspiring. Thank you for posting.
Get a life you sad bastard
These men gave everything for us one word THANKYOU
Everything for our banker owners you mean?
Outstanding tribute... to watch this, especially after just watching "Reach For the Sky!" A late friend, an RCAF fighter pilot...he flew F-86's, Vampires, Banshees, CF 100's, CF 101's, CF 104 and the CF -5.....attended "The Gathering of Eagles"...... The Commonwealth Wartime Aircrew Reunion at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 24-27 September 1970. In attendance were.....General Lieutenant Adolph Galland, Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson, Group Captain Douglas Bader, Air Commodore Johnnie Fauquier.........Speeches captured on a cassette tape are part of my library which I'm honored to play every Battle of Britain Mess Dinner ........God bless them all! Canadian veteran.
I was lucky enough to not only meet Douglas Bader, but he bought me a drink.. Worthing Town Hall 1980...Happy memories of that day.