[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO.48/42 No.21 Squadron S.A.A.F. — Orders & Appendices

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/273/273
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO.48/42 No.21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
42
by
LIEUT. COL. A. D. IRVINE
Officer Commanding,
No.21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
Middle East,
8th October 1942.
Para. 184: DUTIES:
------------------ Duties for period 9/10/42 to 15/10/42
Orderly Officer Orderly Sergeant
9/10/42 Lieut. Cliff D.R. A/Sgt Woods C.R.
10/10/42 " Gibson H. A. Sgt. Edmeades R.H.
11/10/42 " Carr J.D. F/Sgt Balfour S.A.
12/10/42 2/Lt. Sendilands R. A/Sgt Beaumont-Thomas
13/10/42 Lieut Meredith J.F. F/Sgt V. Loggerenberg J.
14/10/42 2/Lt. Weir E.G. A/Sgt Bradfield A.G.
15/10/42 Lieut. Johnson J.W. Sgt. Smallman S.O.
In Waiting: Lieut. Mouton J.A. Sgt Woodhams J.M.
" Sadler J. A/Sgt Mendelsohn S.E.
Para.185: CENSORSHIP:
--------------------- It has been brought to notice that details are making mention
in private correspondence of imminent operations or moves by this Squadron.
It is again brought to the attention of all concerned that there is to be
NO mention of service matters in private correspondence.
Para.186: KIT:
-------------- Personnel proceeding forward with the Squadron will be restricted
to essential kit only, allowing for changes of clothing for leave purposes.
All surplus kit and equipment is to be handed in to "Q" Stores for storage.
Such kit is to be securely bundled or packed, the outside of
the bundle to be clearly marked with the owner's Number, Rank, Name and Squadron
It is pointed out that no kit can be accepted for storage unless clearly marked
and securely packed.
(Sgd) F.C. Hunt Capt.
Adjutant.
No.21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* LIEUT. COL. / Lieut. Col. / Capt. / Lieut. / 2/Lt.: Standard military ranks for Lieutenant Colonel, Captain, Lieutenant, and Second Lieutenant respectively.
* A/Sgt / Sgt. / F/Sgt: Standard non-commissioned officer ranks for Acting Sergeant, Sergeant, and Flight Sergeant.
* "Q" Stores: Quartermaster Stores. The department responsible for the inventory, issue, and storage of squadron equipment, clothing, and personal effects.
* Adjutant: The staff officer responsible for the administrative management of the squadron and the publication of orders.
Operational Context:
Squadron Routine Order No. 48/42, issued on 8 October 1942, captures No. 21 Squadron SAAF at a critical administrative and tactical juncture. This date coincides with urgent "EMERGENCY" signals from Advanced 3 Wing ordering the immediate forward displacement of all serviceable aircraft to Landing Grounds 98 and 99. Strategically, these movements were the final tactical adjustments before the commencement of the Second Battle of El Alamein (23 October 1942).
The directive in Para. 185 regarding "CENSORSHIP" underscores the intensified operational security (OPSEC) environment within the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) during the buildup. The mention of "imminent operations or moves" suggests that the squadron's ground echelon was aware of the impending offensive, and the command was seeking to prevent intelligence leaks that could reach Axis forces.
Furthermore, Para. 186 reflects the extreme logistical discipline required for a forward move in the Western Desert. By restricting personnel to "essential kit only" and mandating the storage of surplus equipment in "Q" Stores, the Officer Commanding (O.C.), Lieut. Col. Irvine, ensured maximum mobility and vehicle capacity for the squadron's ground party as they moved into forward desert strips to support high-intensity sorties by their Martin Baltimore aircraft. This document, archived as Folio 42, serves as a primary record of the transition from a stabilized camp environment to a high-readiness offensive posture.

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Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 9/10/42