Bader's Last Fight: An In-Depth Investigation of a Great WWII Mystery

Some background: I've been reading WWII aviation books for over 35 years. Douglas Bader was my childhood hero. (Ok, I was an aviation nerd when I was a kid...) I even wrote to him as a kid, asking him for an autograph, to which he kindly responded, and I got to meet him personally when I was a teenager -- a story in itself, he was incredibly gracious and went out of his way to drive across London to visit with us, essentially an anonymous fan family from the U.S.The reason I mention all this is that recently I've read 2 of the most fascinating Battle of Britain books I've ever come across: " The Most Dangerous Enemy: The Definitive History of the Battle of Britain  (by Stephen Bungay), and this, " Bader's Last Fight ". Both of these books are somewhat controversial in peeling off the hype from the typical " Reach for the Sky " view of history. (Don't get me wrong,  Reach for the Sky  is the classic, exciting must-read that ignited my interest so many years ago, but it's not analytical or unbiased.)Both are incredibly well-researched without being dry, as opposed to many such histories that are full of researched detail but are boring to trudge through. Both of these books leave you feeling you've really learned a much more realistic view of what that era was like.And both books have been criticized for daring to criticize the legend of Douglas Bader. Despite my being a dedicated fan of D.B. all these years, I was fascinated to learn the negative side of the story. His well-deserved knighthood and reputation for his tireless work on behalf of amputees are not diminished by learning that there are a lot of men who had plenty of good reason to despise D.B., as he risked (and lost) their lives due to arrogance and ego. He was apparently not always a pleasant person to be around (my experiences to the contrary). His treatment of some people (like his loyal batman in prison camp, Alex Ross) was shameful. His ambition and ego directly led to the political backstabbing of the real genius behind the Battle of Britain, Keith Park. His "Big Wing" theory was hyped to the max, but the truth is that it was a failure hidden by outrageous (if understandable) claims of victories. Discovering the reality doesn't make him any less a true national hero for Britain nor a symbol of national pride and courage; it makes the history that much more complex and interesting, and I feel like I finally have some focus on the reality, some closure if you will on the strategic questions of how the Battle of Britain was won, and how many lives were needlessly wasted in the ensuing offensive in the following years."Bader's Last Fight" starts off a little slow in explaining the basic scenarios and introducing all the players, but when it hits its stride while trying to piece together all the different viewpoints, this is a can't-put-it-down book. More than most such books, it is filled with interesting, unique, and relevant photos of the evidence and history it is combing through. It's amazing on several layers: both the examination of how Bader lived and led his forces, but also the way in which aviation archeologists like the author go about rediscovering history, from digging in wide open fields hoping to find a piece of bent metal, to the mountains of 60-year-old paperwork they have to sift through to find those needles-in-a-haystack that really answer the questions.A brilliant book, definitely recommended for anyone who loves Battle of Britain history! (And don't forget Stephen Bungay's " The Most Dangerous Enemy " - read that one first!)

Andy Saunders has done a remarkable job documenting Douglas Bader's last flight and the events leading up to it. He has painstakingly researched the positions of each aircraft, both British and German while also interviewing surviving participants to reach a highly credible conclusion as to the real events; quite different than the long held understanding of what really happened so long clouded by the fog of war. A good read especially for students of the era.

So, after all these decades we finally find out exactly what happened the day Douglas Bader was shot down. Congratulations to Andy Saunders for the effort required to document it in total detail. We've all read minute by minute accounts, but Andy covers this action second by second painting a clear mental picture for our minds as if we were there.

Facts are interesting ...but style and structure does not hold the interest of the reader.

Andy Saunders researching the most intimate details of this one aerial action puts him right up there with the best Luftwaffe writers. The detailing of what happened in this action can only be described as shocking, surprising, unexpected events, and will leave the reader shaking his head about what the real details on many air operations really were. If you have an interest in the European Air War, RAF, Luftwaffe, or the air war in general this book has to be on your shelf. It will be one of your books you constantly re read again and again. Three years later and reading it again, just as shocking and mind bogging as the first read. With out andy's investigation AND the proof I could not have believed this happened the way it did.

History records that Douglas Bader, leader of the RAF's Tangmere Wing, was downed on 9 August 1941 when his Spitfire collided with a Bf 109, Bader parachuting down to become a POW. Yet, for decades, that scenario has been questioned and now, in Andy Saunder's book, the truth is finally revealed. Part aviation history, part detective story, BADER'S LAST FIGHT is a meticulously-researched, exquisitely-written chronicle of one of the most famous air combats of all time.Doubts about what really happened to Bader dated from the day he was lost. Was his loss due to a collision or was he actually downed by a JG 26 pilot? Bader, at least initially, wavered between the two before deciding it was a mid-air. Subsequent articles and books including REACH FOR THE SKY repeated this scenario. The Germans felt he was shot down simply because none of their pilots reported a mid-air. And, at some point in time, the possibility of friendly fire reared its ugly head.Along with being the founder of the Tangmere Battle of Britain Museum, Saunders had written many books on WWII RAF air combat. Intrigued by the Bader combat, he decided to investigate. In BADER'S LAST FIGHT, he covers every aspect of the 9 August 1941 mission, describing and analyzing RAF and Luftwaffe reports, personal reminiscences by participants, postwar histories and films and recent developments including excavations of possible Spitfire crash sites in France and presents what he feels is the true account of the 9 August 1941 Circus 68 mission. In this, he presents the pilot he feels was responsible for Bader's loss.I have enjoyed few books as much as I enjoyed BADER'S LAST FIGHT. I would give it six stars if possible. Saunders took one of aviation's most puzzling events and then painstakingly examined each and every aspect of that puzzle to arrive at the truth. BADER'S LAST FIGHT is a page-turner; the material Saunders presents is so interesting and interestingly presented that you can't put the book down. In your mind, you can envision him assembling his case like a great lawyer, presenting and analyzing each point in turn. It's a wonderful piece of writing.Saunder's book is well illustrated with dozens of b&w and color vintage and contemporary photographs of Bader, Tangemere Wing and Luftwaffe pilots and aircraft, crash scenes, diagrams and maps.In short, this is one impressive book. And it does provide the answer to how Douglas Bader was downed. Who did it? Sorry; you'll have to read the book to find out! Highly recommended.

Liked

Andy Saunders comes in for a lot of flak for daring to tamper with the Bader myth. But this is account of how he was shot down is a very well researched book with which no reasonable person can take issue. Recommended.

Great forensic analysis of what took place and printed in a very readable format! Definitely should be read by all enthusiasts of this genre!

A well researched and interesting book that clears up one or two myths.

Unfortunately, after analysing this book page by page, I have to finilized my research as a war historian that Andy Saunders totaly failed as historian. The book is based on wishful thinking, twisting Combat Reports interpretation and NO evidence. I did proper research not only on his book, but also on Dilip Sarkars work and their resources. Result of this research is something like 100 pages book itself. I canʼt publish it here, but what I have to say is, that Andy Saunders could not pased history at any university working like that. His work would have grade F as Failed. Never in thousand years something based solely on speculations and wishful thinking without not only any evidence but no real clues, could passed any university mark process. There are even big differencies in Cassons letter and Baders Combat Report. Both were written nearly 4 years after combat and both differ significantly. How could anybody tell, that Casson shot down Bader for 100%, as Andy Saunders stated to me, I donʼt know. Casson wrote this letter solely based on his commander requirement. So, there was possibility, that Bader could even tear off stripes of his uniform, when he will show him that he was shot down by his own mistake and without doing damage to enemy. Bader did it in the past! Casson wrote that he attacked alone Me 109 well under 13,000 feet and shot off his tail, than he climbed and met Billy Burton. After that he was shot down by Hptm. Gerhard "Gerd" Schoepfel. So, there is nothing to compare when Bader claimed that he was among many Me 109s at 22,000 feet! And this is the only "evidence" that Casson shot down Bader in Saunders book, nothing more! Saunders did not stop here, but he is claiming, that other two RAF FC pilots did not shot down Me 109s as they claimed in their Combat Reports but Spitfires. You want evidence or anything that could prove this riddiculous accusation? Thing again. He just stated that Combat Reports claiming Me 109 ment Spitfire and there are some similarities in combat with their loss! Thats it. No evidence, only wishful thinking. This is definitely twisting Combat Reports in favour of Saunders theory. In combat we could find like 1000 similarities and claims that something was shot off enemy plane. Many fighter pilots had to claim it, because otherwise they would not be credited even with damage! This is the rule. We have thousands of Combat Reports with similarities and no evidence of friendly fire at all!What really happend?RAF FC claims during Circus 68at least 12 destroyed, 10 probably destroyed, 6 damaged (without Casson)Jagdwaffe losses 1 or 2 during the day. There was another Fighter-Sweep Pas-de-Calais in the afternoon.Jagdwaffe claims:max. 8 + 1 denied claimSuitable claims: Oblt. Johann Schmid (16.) from Stab/JG 26, Spitfire 10 km. E. Saint-Omer at 11.25 (Film C. 2036/II Nr.69278/41), Ofw. Erwin Busch (6.) from 9./JG 26, Spitfire at 11.25 (Film C. 2036/II Nr.83166/42), Ofw. Walter Meyer (11.) from 6./JG 26, Spitfire Saint-Omer at 11.25-30 (Film C. 2036/II Nr.83166/42), Uffz. Heinz Richter (n.b.) from Stab/JG 26, Spitfire North Dunkerque at 11.30 (Reference: DC JG 26 Vol. I/164), Obstlt. Adolf Galland (76.) from Stab/JG 26, Spitfire N.W. St. Pol at 11.32 (Film C. 2036/II Nr.85262/41), Ltn. Wolfgang Kosse (9.) from 5./JG 26, Spitfire South Saint-Omer at 3000 m at 11.40 (Film C. 2033/I Anerk: Nr.74), Hptm. Gerd Schöpfel (31.) from Stab III./JG 26, Spitfire East Marquise at 11.45 (Film C. 2036/II Nr.83166/42), Ltn. Erwin Biederman (2) from 9./JG 26, Spitfire at not known time and place (Reference: DC JG 26 Vol. I/164).All those claims could be analyzed as an evidence if supported by eyewitness report! So, this condition excluded Richterʼs claim, but even this could be real.RAF losses/casualatiesca. 10 Spitfires. This number could rise when I finish my research. This research is still in progress.Andy Saunders definitely failed as a researcher in this book. This is simple statement of fact, not wishful thinking. Saunders probably wanted to be famous and earn a lot of money by attacking RAF FC pilots personally with his disgusting and unconfirmed accusations. Thats very low! Too low even for a politician, not talking about researcher. Did anybody know where did he get at least Bachelor degree? Was it really from history? I would be totaly surprised after analyzing his work.What famous RAF FC pilots told about this Saunderʼs and Sarkarʼs theory?Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling: "Absolute rubbish!"Air Vice-Marshal "Johnnie" Johson: "I would be very surprised if an experienced and careful fighter pilot such as Buck Casson would make such a mistake, but do agree from his description of events that he has almost certainly seen DB come down."Squadron Leader Casson: "I was an experienced fighter pilot and well knew what a 109 looked like. I shot down a 109 that day."Group Captain Sir Hugh Dundas: "Nothing is certain, not ever will be."