BADER’S LEG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 September 1941, Page 6

BADER’S LEG

REMARKABLE AIR BATTLE DELIVERY IN FRANCE. MANY MESSERSCHMITTS SHOT DOWN. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 11. A description of an air battle which he said might one day be called the "Battle of Bader's Leg," was given by Group Captain Helmore in a broadcast. After recounting how Bader overcame the grave and apparently insurmountable handicap of the loss of both legs in a flying accident, he read the official report of the action in which Bader was brofught down after his long and successful leadership. “Bader was missing from patrol during the morning,” it stated. “Apparently he and Lieutenant Casson dived down to attack 20 Messerschmitts below after ordering the rest of the squadron to keep the top cover. Dogfights ensued and no more was seen of either of them. The combat took place between St Omer and Bethune.” Later news filtered through that Bader was safe, but had lost one of his metal legs, and Group Captain Helmore described how his wing decided that a new leg must be taken to him. “A few days later a strong air argosy crossed the Channel flying at a height of 10,000 feet toward St Omer. It was one of our large-scale fighter and bomber offensives in the course of normal duties. They carried bombs and guns—but they carried also a carefully-labelled package whose safe delivery was ensured by the close escort of fighters from the very wing which Bader had so often led in person across the Channel. “The bomber which dropped Bader’s leg over St Omer, spiralled down following the parachute in spite of heavy fire from the ground. The aggressive sweep went on and not only was the p:»rcel delivered on that journey but a number of Messerschmitts were sent down in flames after it. “Thus was Bader’s leg delivered to their leader by his wing, together with a fiery reminder that their hands had not lost, their cunning. There is one thing which every friend of Bader’s and every admirer of Bader’s—and that goes for the whole civilised world —will be glad to learn —Bader now has his leg.”