237 Royal Rhodesian Squadron Blazer Badge- where PM Ian Smith did his WW2 Service. See photos for condition.

**237 Royal Rhodesian Squadron**:

The 237 Royal Rhodesian Squadron was a unit of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. Originally formed in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) as No. 1 Squadron of the Southern Rhodesian Air Force, it was incorporated into the RAF in 1940. The squadron played a significant role in the East African Campaign, where it engaged in combat against Italian forces. Flying Hawker Hurricanes and other aircraft, the squadron participated in various operations in the Middle East and Europe. The unit was known for its distinctive Rhodesian identity, and its personnel wore shoulder patches bearing the Southern Rhodesian lion symbol. After the war, the squadron was disbanded, and its personnel returned to Southern Rhodesia.

**Ian Douglas Smith**:

Ian Douglas Smith (1919-2007) was a Rhodesian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 1964 to 1979. Born in Selukwe, Southern Rhodesia, Smith was educated in South Africa and later served as a fighter pilot during World War II, including with the 237 Royal Rhodesian Squadron. After the war, he entered politics and became a staunch advocate for white minority rule in Rhodesia. In 1965, under his leadership, Rhodesia made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from Britain, leading to international sanctions and isolation. Smith's government resisted pressures to implement majority rule, resulting in a prolonged guerrilla war. Eventually, in 1979, Smith agreed to a transition to majority rule, leading to the establishment of Zimbabwe in 1980. Smith remained a controversial figure in Zimbabwean politics until his death.