Description: WWII Fighter Ace & Colditz POW DOUGLAS BADER Signed Battle of Britain RAF Cover Description: 1980 RAF Co-Ordinated Series C80c Signed Cover. 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Certified Cover No.607 of 997 issued. Complete with informative insert. Signed by Group Captain Sir Douglas Stuart Bader CBE DSO* DFC* (1910-1982) Legendary World War II Fighter Ace credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged.Bader joined the RAF in 1928, and was commissioned in 1930. In December 1931, while attempting some aerobatics he crashed and lost both his legs. Having been on the brink of death, he recovered, retook flight training, passed his check flights and then requested reactivation as a pilot. Although there were no regulations applicable to his situation, he was retired against his will on medical grounds. After the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, however, Bader returned to the RAF and was accepted as a pilot. He scored his first victories over Dunkirk during the Battle of France in 1940. He then took part in the Battle of Britain and became a friend and supporter of Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory and his "Big Wing" experiments.In August 1941, Bader bailed out over German-occupied France and was captured. Soon afterward, he met and befriended Adolf Galland, a prominent German fighter ace. The circumstances surrounding how Bader was shot down in 1941 are controversial. Recent research strongly suggests he was a victim of friendly fire. Despite his disability, Bader made a number of escape attempts and was eventually sent to the POW camp at Colditz Castle. He remained there until April 1945 when the camp was liberated by the First United States Army.Bader left the RAF permanently in February 1946 and resumed his career in the oil industry. During the 1950s, a book and a film, Reach for the Sky, chronicled his life and RAF career to the end of the Second World War. Bader campaigned for the disabled and in the Queen's Birthday Honours 1976 was appointed a Knight Bachelor for services to disabled people and continued to fly until ill health forced him to stop in 1979. Three years later, at the age of 72, Bader died on 5 September 1982, from a sudden heart attack.See images for further details. Shipping: All items shipped via the Royal Mail. The relevant customs label will be attached to all internationally shipped packages as per UK regulations. Please note: I'm not responsible for any additional customs charges which may apply in your country. I post everyday bar Sunday's & Bank Holidays and always obtain a receipt of postage. Combined Postage: Always happy to combine postage, so if you are purchasing multiple lots from my listings please place items in basket and Request Total once you have finished, and I will send you one combined invoice based on the size, weight and value of the contents as soon as possible, alternatively if you pay the stated postage I always without fail refund any excess postage paid. Orders over £25 posted via insured & tracked service up to the value of the goods at additional Royal Mail cost where applicable. Combined purchases may be despatched in more than one package, where this is more cost effective than a single package through the Royal Mail. Any questions, please ask and I will endeavour to reply as soon as possible. Payment: Combined postage invoices for auction items will be sent after the final item has finished for that day, so if you purchased more than one item via auction, please wait until invoice is sent before paying.Thank you. inkfrog terapeak
Price: 59.99 GBP
Location: Wigan
End Time: 2025-01-09T14:29:10.000Z
Shipping Cost: 10.85 GBP
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Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 30 days
Type: Military
Signed: Yes
Object: Signed Cover
Modified Item: No
