Voting Station

Douglas Bader

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Aviator

The Resume

    (February 10, 1910-September 5, 1982)
    Joined RAF (1928)
    Crashed his Bristol Bulldog costing him both legs and his career with the RAF (December 14, 1931)
    Re-enlisted as a fighter pilot through WW II (1939-1946)
    Commanded a squadron of Spitfires during the Battle of Britain (July 10, 1940-October 31, 1940)
    Shot down and sent to a POW camp (August 1941)
    Awarded a CBE (1956)
    Recieved Knighthood (1976)
    Portrayed in the film 'Reach for the Sky' by Kenneth More
    His biography 'Reach for the Sky' was written by Paul Brickhill

Why he might be annoying:

    He lost his legs performing unauthorized low flying acrobatics on a dare.
    Bader filled his metal legs with ping-pong balls so if shot down over the ocean he could float until rescued. Unfortunately when his squadron reached a certain altitude, the balls began to pop, making him think that his aircraft was taking hits and nearly caused him to bail out.
    Due to his prosthetics he had an odd walk and often stood funny.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He served his nation in WW II.
    He suffered great indignity and frustration learning to use prosthetic legs (made of wood in those days).
    He shot down 23 German planes during WW II, the 5th most prolific record in the RAF.
    His squadron downed 63 enemy planes, while losing only three of their own.
    He escaped from several POW camps, causing him to be sent to the fortress Colditz castle and to turn his legs over to the Germans at night.
    He earned a Distinguished Service Cross for WW II.
    He earned a George Cross.
    Post WW II he worked as spokesman for an airline and for several disability charities.
    He loved motorbikes.

Credit: Fandango


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 90.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 11 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 20 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 23 Votes: 34.78% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 59 Votes: 50.85% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 5609 Votes: 23.48% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 20 Votes: 15.00% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 85 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 31 Votes: 41.94% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 61 Votes: 34.43% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 164 Votes: 43.90% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 144 Votes: 47.92% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 310 Votes: 43.55% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 93 Votes: 43.01% Annoying