role was to support land forces resisting a Soviet attack into Western Europe by striking deep into enemy-held areas beyond the forward edge of the battlefield, striking at enemy concentrations and infrastructure, first with conventional weapons and secondly with tactical nuclear weapons as required, should a conflict escalate to that stage. The squadron's Vulcan B2.s served mainly in that low-level penetration role until 1982 when they saw action during the Falklands War. No. 44 Squadron was then disbanded on 21 December 1982. Honours During World War II, a number of decorations were awarded to members of 44 Squadron. These included one Victoria Cross awarded to Wing Commander J.D. Nettleton, six Distinguished Service Orders, one Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, one Air Force Medal, one British Empire Medal, 151 Distinguished Flying Crosses, one bar to a DFC and 97 Distinguished Flying Medals. Aircraft operated Aircraft operated include: Sopwith 1½ Strutter (July 1917–Sep 1917) Sopwith Camel (Aug 1917–June 1919) Hawker Hind (Mar 1937–Dec 1937) Bristol Blenheim Mk.I (Dec 1937–Feb 1939) Avro Anson Mk.I (Feb 1939–June 1939) Handley Page Hampden Mk.I (Feb 1939–Dec 1941) Avro Lancaster Mk.I (Dec 1941–Sep 1947) Avro Lancaster Mk.III (Dec 1941–Sep 1947) Avro Lincoln B.2 (Oct 1945–May 1946; Dec 1946–Mar 1947; May 1947–Jan 1951) Boeing Washington B.1 (Feb 1951–Jan 1953) English Electric Canberra B.2 (Apr 1953–July 1957) Avro Vulcan B.1 (Aug 1960–Sep 1962) Avro Vulcan B.1A (Jan 1961–Sep 1967) Avro Vulcan B.2 (Sep 1966–Dec 1982) See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Royal Rhodesian Air Force References Notes Bibliography Dives, William K. A Bundu Boy In Bomber Command. Trafford Publishing, 28 July 2003. . The memoirs of a Rhodesian pilot, Flying Officer William Dives DFC from No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron. White, Alan N. and Simon Baldwin. The King's Thunderbolts – No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Royal Air Force: An Operational Record and Roll of Honour 1917–1982. Tucann Design & Print, 2007. . White, Alan N. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF on Operations: An Operations Record and Roll of Honour. Self-Published by A.N. White to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of No 44 Squadron RAF, 1977. External links Royal Air Force History No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Sopwith Camel pilot of No. 44 Squadron, Lieutenant George Robert Craig M.C. Family website. John Coutts – Thirty Missions Family website F.Sgt J.E. Wainwright Family website, includes a brief Squadron history RAF Spilsby and its Squadrons Includes brief history, and comprehensive list of No. 44 Squadron casualties.