[Routine Order] 'J2' 188 — Orders & Appendices

Document

'J2' 188
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 20/43 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.
27th March 1943.
Para.48: S.R.O. No. 11/43 Para. 28 refers.
The undermentioned Officers are detailed to dine in the Airmens' Mess on the
evenings of the dates set out opposite their names. The Mess is to be
called to attention by the Senior N.C.O. present and the Officer will then
instruct the N.C.O. to call "Any Complaints". He will deal with such complaints
as are of a minor nature and will note any item with which he is unable to
deal with on the spot. Such items will be reported by him to the Adjutant
by not later than 11.00 hours on the following day. Each Officer will
advise his successor the date, time and duties to be performed by the latter.
Capt. Van Heerden P.W. 29/3/43 Lieut. A'Bear J.E. 1/4/43
Lieut. Arnold A.L. 5/4/43 " Ashton P.S. 8/4/43
" Blieden B. 12/4/43 Capt. Budd A.G.M. 15/4/43
Capt. Cormack C. 18/4/43 " McBride G.L. 21/4/43
" Mouton J.A. 24/4/43 " Schoch W.E. 27/4/43
" Smit A.C. 30/4/43
Para. 49: PARAFFIN ISSUES:
Paraffin will be issued bi-weekly by "Q" Stores for lamps only i.e. the actual
lamps only will be filled. Issues will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Para. 50: NEW OATH FORMS:
S.R.O. No. 14/43 Para. 31 refers. All Ranks are reminded that the
Re-attestation forms for service outside Africa are obtainable from the
Orderly Room.
All Ranks, who so desire, are requested to complete these forms as soon as
possible as Headquarters are to render returns to the Union in the very near
future.
Para. 51: FIELD GENERAL COURT MARTIAL:
612604 Sgt.(A/F/Sgt) Wood A. of No. 3 R.S.U. was convicted by Field General
Court Martial on the 17th February 1943 of Drunkeness and driving two M.T.
vehicles without authority. He was sentenced to be reduced to the Rank of
Cpl. This sentence has been duly confirmed by the A.O.C.
632387 Cpl. Kelsal C.A. of No. 92 Squadron was tried on the 18th February 1943
by Field General Court Martial and convicted of striking an airman in the
face. He was sentenced to a loss of 6 Months seniority as a Cpl. This
sentence has been duly confirmed by the A.O.C.
(A.R.O. Para 115)
[Handwritten Signature] Major.
Adjutant No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion
Glossary of Terms
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* LIEUT. COL. C.S. COPPEN D.F.C.: Lieutenant Colonel C.S. Coppen, Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the Officer Commanding No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. during the Tunisian campaign.
* S.R.O.: Squadron Routine Order. These are formal administrative instructions issued at the squadron level.
* N.C.O.: Non-Commissioned Officer.
* "Q" Stores: Quartermaster's Stores, responsible for the supply and distribution of equipment and consumables such as paraffin.
* The Union: The Union of South Africa. This refers to the national government to which the SAAF reported.
* R.S.U.: Repair and Salvage Unit. Specifically, No. 3 R.S.U. mentioned in the court martial proceedings.
* M.T.: Motor Transport.
* A.O.C.: Air Officer Commanding. The senior RAF/SAAF officer in the theatre who confirmed the court martial sentences.
* A.R.O.: Air Routine Order.
Operational Context
The date of this routine order, 27 March 1943, coincides with the immediate aftermath of the Allied breakthrough at the Tebaga Gap (Operation Supercharge II). While the squadron's aircrews had been engaged in intensive "blitz" operations on 26 March to suppress Axis defenses at the Mareth Line, this document highlights the mundane but essential administrative life of the unit in the Middle East.
The inclusion of Para. 50 regarding "service outside Africa" is historically significant. As the North African campaign neared its conclusion, the SAAF required personnel to re-attest (renew their oath) for service in the upcoming European theatre—specifically the Italian Campaign. This was a legal requirement for South African volunteer forces, who were originally only obligated to serve on the African continent. Furthermore, the Field General Court Martial notices serve as a reminder of the strict military discipline maintained within the Desert Air Force even during high-tempo operations. The conviction of personnel from No. 3 R.S.U. and No. 92 Squadron for offenses like drunkenness and unauthorized use of M.T. vehicles reflects the pressures and behavioral challenges present in forward operating environments like Tunisia. These administrative records provide the necessary institutional backdrop to the tactical successes achieved by the squadron's Martin Baltimore aircraft in the preceding days.

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Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 28 MAR 43