Document
"Z" 92
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO.10/43 No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
by
LIEUT.COL.C.S.COPPEN D.F.C.
---------------------------
Officer Commanding,
No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
Middle East,
17th February 1943.
Para. 20: B.M.A.CURRENCY - PROCEDURE
Some confusion appears to exist among officers and airmen in
regard to the new military currency and its relation to Italian
lire. All ranks will appreciate that due to its weight it has
not been possible to issue coinage for the new military money
and the lowest sensible denomination is of one shilling.
Personnel, when making purchases should therefore act as follows:
(i) Enquire the price of the article in lire repeat in lire
(ii) Tender military currency at a rate of exchange of 480 lire
to the pound and receive their change in lire repeat in
lire.
(A.R.O. Para.48)
Para. 21: LOOTING:
It is necessary that all ranks should be aware of the measures
which may be taken and the force which may be used to prevent
looting. Looting means the ransacking of unoccupied premises
and the theft of exposed and unprotected property, public or
private, in the scene of operations.
The law permits the use of firearms against those who engage in
looting and are found in the act.
The civil offences which come under the joint description of
looting are punishable with death and instructions have been
issued that all the force necessary, even to the use of firearms
may be used, and will be used to prevent this crime. Such
action, taken in good faith and with a sense of responsibility
by sentries and others whose duty it may be to protect property
from pillage, will receive the full support of military
authority.
(A.R.O.Para.49)
Para. 22: BOUNDS - TRIPOLI:
The following areas in Tripoli are Out of Bounds to all ranks:-
(a) Old City.
(b) Arab quarter East of Tripoli.
The entries to the above areas are marked with "Out of Bounds"
notices. The Tripoli Docks area is also out of bounds to
All Ranks not proceeding there on duty.
(A.R.O.Para.50)
Para. 23: CURFEW - TRIPOLI:
Troops accommodated in Tripoli are required to return to their
quarters not later than 22.00 hours provided they are in
possession of a pass. Those without passes or troops quartered
outside Tripoli must be clear of the town by 18.00 hours daily.
(A.F.O.Para.51)
Para. 24: DRESS OF AIRMEN VISITING TRIPOLI:
The dress of airmen visiting Tripoli is to receive immediate
attention. Although it is full realised, that owing to circum-
stances beyond control, the condition of the clothing of
individual airmen leaves much to be desired, every endeavour
should be made to see that airmen visiting Tripoli are as smartly
dressed as the present circumstances permit.
Our rapid advance, and the conditions under which we have lived,
have been taken advantage of by some individuals, to pay little
or no attention to their personal appearance. Such incidences
as airmen visiting Tripoli in filthy clothing, unshaven, and the
hair not having been cut for weeks is to cease forthwith. The
general standard of dress, and the personal appearance of many
members of the other services at Tripoli and suburbs is
increasing daily, and every endeavour should be made by Air
Force Units in spite of the difficulties prevailing to bring
ourselves into line with them, in the interest of the good name
of the service.
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