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The "Poor Man's Bader"

Discussion in 'WWII Today' started by GRW, May 16, 2017.

  1. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Well there ya go.
    "The remarkable story of a pilot who lost his legs in a horrifying crash then went on to become a celebrated World War Two flying ace has finally been revealed, 20 years after his death.
    Flight Lieutenant Colin Hodgkinson lost his legs in a crash in a Tiger Moth in 1939 but went on to emulate Sir Douglas Bader and fly Spitfires in the RAF.
    He was captured by the Germans after crash-landing in France in 1943 but his Nazis captors deemed him 'no further use to his country' so let him go home.
    Their underestimation proved a costly and deadly mistake and he immediately re-joined the RAF with devastating effect, claiming another aerial victory before the war was out.
    Despite having less experience than Sir Douglas, Flt Lt Hodgkinson referred to himself as a 'poor man's Bader' - but historians say he was 'much more than that'.
    The determined pilot never let his injuries hold him back and went on to become a flying ace, taking part in the Battle of Britain
    Flt Lt Hodgkinson and Group Captain Bader were the only two British double amputee pilots to fly during the war.
    Yet while Bader remains to this day a household name for his heroics, Flt Lt Hodgkinson's exploits have been largely forgotten - until now."
    WW2 Spitfire pilot who had BOTH legs amputated | Daily Mail Online
     
    lwd, KodiakBeer and The Alerted Beast like this.
  2. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    Champions both...makes a bloke feel inadequate...
     
  3. The Alerted Beast

    The Alerted Beast Member

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    His story is similar to the irrepressible Hans-Ulrich Rudel. Its too bad that great stories always overshadow less known ones. Thanks for reminding his story.
     

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