Bader: The Man and His Men

This fine example of painstaking research, insight and highly readable narrative offers a detailed reappraisal of the wartime career and tactical legacy of the legendary Douglas Bader. His early years at Cranwell and the crash that left him crippled are well known, and form only part of this study. The author concentrates on how Bader turned a battle-weary Canadian Hurricane squadron into an elite unit that became the focus of the "Big Wing", and the narrative fully covers this on-going controversy. Bader criticised existing Battle of Britain tactics believing a better result would be possible by concentrating a large force before meeting Luftwaffe attacks: these theories are here firmly placed in the perspective of RAF fighter and wing practices. More important is how Bader used the tactical insight of the wing, transformed RAF fighter tactics and instructed his men in the new art of air fighting. The book shows how they benefited from his teaching and developed as outstanding leaders and tacticians in combat environments, and is and interesting contribution to the history of air warfare.


by Michael G. Burns
Published by Arms and Armour Press 1994 paperback edn. (of 1990 1st) 322pp illustrated, index, bibliography. 16x23 paperback, fine.





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