Document
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[SQ]UADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 40/43 No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
143
by
LIEUT. COL. C.S. COPPEN D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.
Middle East.
6th June 1943.
Para. 127: MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION:
The following copies of Messages of Congratulations are published for
information of All Ranks in the Middle East:-
From the Air Ministry: "For Commanders-in-Chief - At the moment
when enemy resistance in North Africa has been finally crushed, the War
Cabinet desire to express their very high appreciation of the vital part
played by the forces under your command, and also by the administrative
services, whose whole-hearted and unremitting efforts have proved a sure
foundation for victory"
From Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur W. Tedder, G.C.B., Air Commander-in-Chief,
Mediterranean Air Command. "To All Ranks of the allied Air Forces - By
magnificent team work between nationalities, commands, units, officers and
men from Teheran to Takoradi, from Morocco to the Indian Ocean, you have,
together with your comrades on land and sea, thrown the enemy out of Africa.
You have shown the world the unity and strength of air power. A grand job,
well finished. We face our next job with the knowledge that we have thrashed
the enemy, and the determination to thrash him again. I am proud to have had
the good fortune to be a member of such a team, and I thank you all for the
unfailing loyalty and co-operation without which I could not have played my
individual part in the scheme of things"
From Air Vice Marshal H. Broadhurst D.S.O. E.F.C. A.F.C. "Now that the
campaign in North Africa is successfully concluded, I would like to express
the appreciation of the whole Western Desert Air Force for the magnificent
support we have received from the Delta maintenance and supply organisation.
This campaign has provided an incredible administrative problem, but, despite
the fact that our lines of communication eventually extended up to a distance
of seven hundred miles, we have never lacked anything, and any urgent demands
have always been met with a courtesy and willingness which has been most
encouraging to our efforts against the enemy. This campaign will go down in
history as a triumph of administration, and I will be most pleased if you
will convey to the departments concerned the very real gratitude of the
Western Desert Air Force" (M.E.R.O. Para. 498)
Para. 128: EXTENSION OF AIRGRAPH SERVICE TO NEWFOUNDLAND:
The Airgraph from the Middle East is now available to Newfoundland, at the
usual cost of threepence per message.
Senders are to ensure that the letters "N.F.D." appear just below the postage
stamp which is affixed to the back of the airgraph form. If this is not done
there is a danger that the airgraph will be included with those addressed
to the United Kingdom, and so suffer serious delay.
(M.E.R.O. Para. 502)
Para. 129: PRIVATE TELEGRAMS (E.F.M.) TO THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA.
The E.F.M. service is now available to the United States of America at the
normal E.F.M. Empire rate.
Standard texts are to be used, but on a restricted scale. The only standard
texts permitted are as follows:-
Numbers 1 to 21 inclusive
26 " 64 "
68 " 86 "
91 " 93 "
98 " 110 "
115 " 120 "
135 " 136 "
157 " 158 "
The sender's CHRISTIAN name as well as SURNAME must be included in each
telegram to the United States of America.
(M.E.R.O. Para. 503)
Para. 130/........
Sqdn. SAAF R/O No. 40/43 (Contd) 144 2.
Para. 130: M.T. ACCIDENTS:
All drivers of M.T. vehicles are to be constantly on the alert during the hours
of darkness, to avoid accidents with hand-carts, bicycles, horse-drawn
vehicles etc. Usually they carry no lights at night. It is, therefore,
incumbent on the drivers to exercise the greatest care to avoid them.
(M.E.R.O. Para. 504)
Para. 131: COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF KIT:
Claims continue to be received for loss of kit through theft, fire and other
ordinary causes, notwithstanding the explicit terms of M.E.R.O's 271 and 708
of 1941 which laid down that claims would only be considered where loss or
damage had resulted from enemy action or from exigencies from the service
which could not be covered by an ordinary all risks insurance policy.
It has been confirmed that an all risks insurance can be effected in Egypt
at a premium of 2% per annum which will cover even such losses as theft or
from an unguarded tent at camp or fire in such a camp, or loss in transit
by service mechanical transport.
Claims which would have been met by the insurance company under such a policy
had one been in existance, should not be made.
(M.E.R.O. Para. 508)
Para. 132: For information of All R.A.F. Details.
ANTE-NATAL ALLOWANCE:
Attention is drawn to A.M.O. A1319 of 1942 which introduced the payment of
of an ante-natal allowance with effect from 3rd December 1942.
The allowance is subject to the rules governing the issue of family allowance
and will normally be payable for the 13 weeks preceding the birth of the
child, but no arrears for any part of the 13 weeks prior to 3rd December 1942
are admissable.
The allowance will be issuable for the full period of 13 weeks (subject to
Para. 2 hereto) should the child be born, or still born, before the end of this
period.
Should the 13 weeks prior to the estimated date of birth expire before the
child is born, or still born, the allowance will continue until the actual
date of birth, including still birth, subject to the recommandation of the
doctor or State Certified Midwife.
In the event of two children being born to the wife of an airman at the
expected birth, the allowance will also be issuable in respect of each child
born, or still born, and will be paid for the number of weeks the allowance
has been paid for the first child, or notification of the birth being made.
The rate to be paid will be that admissable as family allowance on the birth
of the child. Where, during a period in which ante-natal allowance is in
issue, family allowance ceases in respect of another child of the family,
the rate of ante-natal allowance will be increased from the next payment
week following that to which family allowance has been paid in respect of
the other child.
The allowance should be claimed on form 1413 suitably amended to embody a
certificate from a qualified practitioner as to pregnancy and the expected
date of birth, and is to be forwarded to the Base Accountant Officer, R.A.F.
M.E. in respect of all locally enlisted airmen and in respect of other airmen
whose families are residing within the Middle East Command.
It should be noted that a claim to Ante-Natal allowance does not constitute
a claim to family allowance for the child or children on their birth.
A claim to family allowance is, therefore, required to be submitted within
a month of the birth, in accordance with the normal procedure.
(M.E.R.O. Para 510)
Para. 133: HYGIENE:
The attention of All Ranks is drawn to the dangers of desease being spread
by animals, and the importance of avoiding close contact with stray animals.
(A.F.O. Para. 204)
Para. 134: BOUNDS:
Owing to the prevalence of typhus, a disease spread by lice the following
areas of Sfax are Out of Bounds to All Ranks;-
A. The Arab walled town of Sfax and adjacent barracks bounded by the
following:
NORTH - Tunis/Port Saint road.
EAST - Boulevard General Jamais.
SOUTH - Rue Leonner - Rue Jules Ferry
WEST - Boulevard Fallier.
B./........
Sqdn SAAF R/O No. 40/43 (Contd) 145 3.
B. All Native Dwellings.
C. All Native Cafes and Berber shops unless displaying an "In Bounds"
notice. (A.R.O. Para. 207)
The Monte Carlo Cabaret, Corniche, Alexandria, and the High Life Pension,
21 Sharia Cherif Pasha, Cairo are both Out of Bounds to All Ranks.
Groppi's Midan Soliman Pasha, Cairo, with the exception of the Tea Room
and shop is Out of Bounds to Officers.
The summer Excelsior Cornice Alexandriaa, is In Bounds to Officer only.
The Chatby Casino, Corniche, Alexandria, is in Bounds to All Ranks.
(M.E.R.O. Para. 499)
Para. 135: DENTAL & SICK PARADES:
Personnel who require Dental Treatment are to hand their names in to the
Orderly Room not later than 08.00 hours daily. Transport will leave for
3 (S.A) Wing Dental Officer at 08.15 hours sharp.
Sick Parade will be held at the Orderly Room at 08.30 hours daily. Personnel
reporting sick must hand in their names at the Orderly Room not later than
08.30 hours.
Para. 136: SNAKES
Thereappears to be a preponderance of Snakes in this Area. The Chief
poisonous varieties are of the Cobra and horned Viper type.
If bitten by a snake shout for assistance. The first precaution essential
is to [strike-through: be] bind tightly the bitten limb by means of a twisted handkerchief
or similar appliance. The tourniquet should be applied as close as possible
to the bite and between the bite and the root of the limb. Do not cover
the bitten area as bleeding should be freely encouraged in the wound produced
by the snakes fangs. Do not move about more than necessarily. Further
treatment will be given in the M.I.Tent.
[Signature] .................. Major.
Adjutant No.21 Squadronx S.A.A.F.
N O T I C E S
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SALVAGE - USED ETHYLENE GLYCOL: It is a well known fact that Allied strategy
centres around sea power and the amount of shipping available to carry troops
and stores. Shipping space is vital and it is, therefore the responsibility
of all personnel to salvage every possible item - particularly those bulky
items which have to be imported from overseas. A typical commodity coming
under this heading and which was previously all imported is Ethylene Glycol.
Used Ethylene Glycol can now be cleaned in the Middle East Command for re-use
and every gallon saved, therefore, is of definite assistance to the war effort.
SEE THAT NONE IS WASTED.
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