RAF Patch j 44 Squadron Royal Air Force Rhodesia Vulcan B2 a

RAF Patch 44 Squadron Royal Air Force Rhodesia Vulcan B2 Bomber 1970s RAF Waddington Printed on twill merrowed edge 106mm four and three eighth inches diameter.

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Badge  On a mount an elephant authorised by King George VI October 1941The badge based upon the seal of Lo Bengula, the chief of the Matabeles on conquest. The seal shows an elephant which, in the case of this unit, is intended to indicate heavy attacks. 

Motto  Fulmina regis iusta The Kings thunderbolts are righteous 

Squadron history 1944 1982 

44 Squadron the squadron was renamed 44 Rhodesia Squadron in 1941 in honour of the Rhodesian contribution to Britains war effort and to recognize that up to a quarter of the air crew and ground were Rhodesian. The Squadron moved to RAF Mepal in July 1945 to prepare for transfer to Tiger Force in the Far East for the war on Japan following its successful service with Bomber Command over occupied Europe and Germany equipped with Lancaster bombers. With Japans surrender the Squadron relocated to RAF Mildenhall in August 1945 and reequipped with Lincolns bombers on 25 October 1945. The Squadron moved to RAF Wyton on 29 August 1946 and converted to Washington bombers in January 1951. The Squadron received Canberra bombers in April 1953 and operated from Cyprus over Egypt during the Suez Crisis in November 1956 before disbanding on 16 July 1957. 

44 Rhodesia Squadron reformed at RAF Waddington on 10 August 1960 equipped with Vulcan B1 bombers as part of RAF Bomber Commands V bomber force maintaining the UKs strategic nuclear deterrent with free fall nuclear weapons and upgraded Vulcan B1A aircraft in January 1961. With the increasing effectiveness of Soviet SAMs the V bomber force moved from high altitude operations to low level penetration operations and the Squadron adopted a pop up maneuver for safe release of Yellow Sun Mk2 nuclear weapons. The Squadron upgraded to Vulcan B2 aircraft and WE 177B strategic nuclear bombs in November 1967 for low level penetration that did not require a pre release pop up manoeuvre to improve the survivability of the Squadrons Vulcans.  

With the Royal Navy becoming responsible for the nuclear deterrent with submarine launched missiles the Squadrons role changed to support land forces against a Soviet attack in Western Europe by striking deep beyond the forward edge of the battlefield to strike enemy concentrations and infrastructure with conventional weapons and with tactical nuclear weapons if required should a conflict escalate to that stage. 

The Squadron Vulcan B2s took part in the Falklands campaign Operation Corporate in May 1982 undertaking long range Black Buck bombing missions of Stanley airfield from Ascension Island. 44 Rhodesia Squadron disbanded on 21 December 1982. 

This patch dates from the 1970s.