44th RAF Squadron
No. 44 Squadron RAF (Rhodesia)
period of existence
44 Squadron RFC [1916-1916]
44th RFC Squadron [1917-1918]
44th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
44th RAF Squadron [1937-1957]
44th RAF Squadron [1960-1982]
motto
Fulmina regis justa (The King's thunderbolts are righteous)
history
15.04.1916-22.05.1916 - exists as a training unit
24.07.1917 - re-established at Hainault Farm as part of the air defence force with the mission to protect London and the South East of England
31.12.1919 - disbanded
08.03.1937 - re-established at Wyton as a bomber unit
02.1939-06.1939 - operated as a retraining unit within the 5th RAF Group
03.09.1939 - after the outbreak of World War II attacking targets over the North Sea and Norway
1942-1945 - after re-equipping as heavy bombers until the end of the war, it mainly carried out night raids on targets in Germany and occupied Europe
1945-1957 - Continued to operate as a bomber, participating in operations during the Suez Crisis (1956)
16.07.1957 - disbanded
10.08.1960 - re-established at Waddington as a strategic bomber unit armed with Vulcan aircraft capable of carrying nuclear bombs
1982 - participates in the Falklands War
21.12.1982 - disbanded
combat awards
Home Defence, 1917-1918
Channel & North Sea, 1939-1945
Invasion Ports, 1940
German Ports
Baltic, 1940-1945
France & Low Countries, 1940
Biscay Ports, 1940-44
Ruhr, 1940-1943 & 1945
Berlin, 1940-1944
Atlantic, 1942
Normandy, 1944
Rhine, 1940-1944
Fortress Europe, 1940-1944
France & Germany, 1944-1945
Walcheren
sources:
Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal & Commonwealth Air Force 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._44_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn041-45.htm
https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/44squadron.cfm
http://www.44sqn.com/history-44-sqn/
http://www.raf-lincolnshire.info/44sqn/44sqn.htm
www.raf.mod.uk
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-44.htm
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/44_squadron.html
No. 44 Squadron RAF (Rhodesia)
period of existence
44 Squadron RFC [1916-1916]
44th RFC Squadron [1917-1918]
44th RAF Squadron [1918-1919]
44th RAF Squadron [1937-1957]
44th RAF Squadron [1960-1982]
motto
Fulmina regis justa (The King's thunderbolts are righteous)
history
15.04.1916-22.05.1916 - exists as a training unit
24.07.1917 - re-established at Hainault Farm as part of the air defence force with the mission to protect London and the South East of England
31.12.1919 - disbanded
08.03.1937 - re-established at Wyton as a bomber unit
02.1939-06.1939 - operated as a retraining unit within the 5th RAF Group
03.09.1939 - after the outbreak of World War II attacking targets over the North Sea and Norway
1942-1945 - after re-equipping as heavy bombers until the end of the war, it mainly carried out night raids on targets in Germany and occupied Europe
1945-1957 - Continued to operate as a bomber, participating in operations during the Suez Crisis (1956)
16.07.1957 - disbanded
10.08.1960 - re-established at Waddington as a strategic bomber unit armed with Vulcan aircraft capable of carrying nuclear bombs
1982 - participates in the Falklands War
21.12.1982 - disbanded
combat awards
Home Defence, 1917-1918
Channel & North Sea, 1939-1945
Invasion Ports, 1940
German Ports
Baltic, 1940-1945
France & Low Countries, 1940
Biscay Ports, 1940-44
Ruhr, 1940-1943 & 1945
Berlin, 1940-1944
Atlantic, 1942
Normandy, 1944
Rhine, 1940-1944
Fortress Europe, 1940-1944
France & Germany, 1944-1945
Walcheren
sources:
Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal & Commonwealth Air Force 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._44_Squadron_RAF
http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn041-45.htm
https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/44squadron.cfm
http://www.44sqn.com/history-44-sqn/
http://www.raf-lincolnshire.info/44sqn/44sqn.htm
www.raf.mod.uk
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqn-44.htm
www.historyofwar.org
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/44_squadron.html
