104 Bomber Squadron Cigarette Case

104 Squadron was an Operational Training Unit Group at the start of WWII. The squadron reformed at Driffield as an operational squadron on 1 April 1941, serving as a night bomber squadron. In October 1941 fifteen aircraft were flown to Malta, from where they attacked targets in Libya, Sicily and Italy and then moved on to to Egypt. The Squadron spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean, first operating in the Western Desert and at the end of 1943 moving to southern Italy based at Foggia, flying its last Wellington Op on 27 February 1945, then converting to the Liberator VI which was operated until October 1945. The Squadron then moved back to Egypt and was reequipped with Lancasters. Our cigarette case, which carries the Squadron crest with motto 'Strike Hard' set into the lid, as well as the initials HR, who we assume to be the wartime owner. On the reverse is a Liberator bomber carrying the code 'P'. We believe therefore this case originated in Italy some time between February and October 1945. We do not recognise the wood (perhaps olive?) but suspect it is an Italian hardwood and custom made as a souvenir by the locals for the chaps on the Squadron at Foggia Airfield. The outer case shows some age wear but overall it is in good display condition and inside is a fitted interior. Sadly the history of 'H.R.' has been lost but a super souvenir relating to 104 Squadron who served with distinction throughout WWII. The Squadron was finally disbanded in April 1947. Measures 6"x 3.75" (15 cm x 9 cm)