Quickly rising to a Hurricane ace with No. 242 Squadron where he scored 11 destroyed and 1 probably destroyed, Wing commander Douglas Bader was appointed to command the Spitfire IIA equipped Tangmere Wing in March 1941. When taken prisoner in August 1941 Bader had scored with the Spitfire a further 9 and 4 shared destroyed, 5 and 1 shared probably destroyed and 7 damaged. This brought his total score to 20 and 4 shared destroyed, 6 and 1 shared probably destroyed and 11 damaged. He became one of the most recognized Allied aces and a heroic figure representing the indomitable spirit of the RAF.