No. 223 Squadron

No. 223 Squadron RAF was reformed at Nairobi, Kenya, on 15 December 1936 as a day bomber unit, initially flying Vickers Wellesleys and later engaging Italian targets in East Africa and the Sudan after Italy entered the war in June 1940. The squadron subsequently served as a light and medium bomber unit across North Africa, Malta, Sicily, and Italy, operating Martin Baltimores and Marylands in support of the Eighth Army before being renumbered No. 30 Squadron, South African Air Force, on 12 August 1944. It was swiftly reformed in England on 23 August 1944 at Oulton as a specialist bomber support unit assigned to No. 100 Group, RAF Bomber Command. In this electronic warfare role the squadron flew Consolidated Liberators and Boeing Fortresses equipped with jamming devices — including Jostle, Carpet, and Piperack — to disrupt German radar and communications during Bomber Command’s night offensive over Europe. The squadron’s motto, “Alæ defendunt Africam” (Wings defend Africa), reflects its long years of service in the African and Middle Eastern theatres before its final disbandment on 29 July 1945.