British Forces

“Caelorum Domini"

Imperial War Museum

Hawker Hurricanes Mk. IID, armed with 40mm cannon for tank busting role, of the 7 Squadron South African Air Force taking off in the Western desert. 1942. Dating back to 12 January 1942 when this unit was formed at Zwartkip equipped with Curtiss Mohawks, the 7 Squadron, motto “Caelorum Domini" (Lords of the Sky), moved to Egypt in April-May 1942, where it converted to the Hawker Hurricane, operating as a standard fighter squadron from 4 July until September. Its standard Hurricanes were then replaced with the Mk. IID cannon-buster, armed with 40mm cannon, which were used during the battle of El Alamein, replaced in November 1942 with Mk. IICs. These were used during the advance into Tunisia when the squadron provided fighter cover for coastal convoys carrying vital supplies to the advancing armies. In April the tank-busters returned, but the campaign in North Africa ended before they could be used. Victor Sierra