IRONICAL MOTTO
| BRITISH AIR SQUADRON BEARS ARMS OF OTRANTO UNDER DUOE’S SIGNATURE The original design for a badge for Royal Air Force Squadron No. 22 4, which is general reconnaissance unit, bears Signor Mussolini’s signature. The squadron was formed at Otranto in the last war to help the Italians, and was disbanded after the war, but re-formed in 193 7. To mark its origin, the squadron decided to incorporate in its badge part of Otranto’s arms, consisting of a casrle round which is curled a giant snake. The decision was approved by the College of Heralds and was sent as a matter of courtesy to the Italian Government representative at Otranto. It then went on to Mussolini, and the original copy now bears an inscription in his handwriting as follows: Mussolini, Roma, 19 Xtre, XVII, 1935. The XVII refers to the 17th year of the Fascist regime. The squadron’s motto is "Fedele ad amice” —faithful to friends — a sentiment which Signor Mussolini seems to have misinterpreted.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19410109.2.48
Bibliographic details
Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13234, 9 January 1941, Page 7
Word Count
166IRONICAL MOTTO Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13234, 9 January 1941, Page 7
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