[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. NO. 62/43. NO. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* RHQDAF: Rear Headquarters, Desert Air Force.
* S.A.O.A.: Senior Air Operating Assistant (or similar Administrative/Operating staff designation).
* R.A.F.: Royal Air Force.
* AMGOT: Allied Military Government for Occupied Territories.
Personnel and Historical Context
* Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Britz, D.F.C.: Officer Commanding of 21 Squadron. As a highly decorated officer, he was responsible for maintaining the unit's discipline and morale during the transition from the Sicily campaign to the Italian mainland.
* The "Oubaas" (Prime Minister Jan Smuts): This term was an affectionate and respectful Afrikaans nickname for Jan Smuts, who served as the Prime Minister of South Africa during World War II. Smuts was a significant figure in both world wars and a key advisor to Winston Churchill. The inclusion of this personal message in the Routine Orders served to bolster morale by emphasizing that the highest levels of the South African government recognized the squadron's "unstinted service".
Location and Operational Realities
* Catania, Sicily: Para. 207 references a 5-mile exclusion zone for non-essential traffic around Catania. This restriction was a realistic necessity between August 29 and September 9, 1943, as Allied forces used the major road networks through Catania to stage personnel and equipment for the impending invasion of Italy (Operation BAYTOWN).
* Civil Relations and AMGOT (Para. 208-210): These paragraphs reflect the shifting role of the S.A.A.F. from combatants to occupiers. With Sicily officially liberated by August 17, the Allied Military Government (AMGOT) was established to manage the civilian population and preserve "ancient monuments and works of art". The explicit threat to use "firearms" to prevent looting (Para. 209) illustrates the severity with which the Allied command viewed the preservation of order and cultural heritage in newly won territory.
* The Transition to Italy: By August 30, No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. was operating from the Cuticchi Landing Ground in Sicily, having moved forward from Malta to strike targets on the Italian mainland. These routine orders were the administrative preparation for the final leap across the Messina straits, scheduled for early September.

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The date written in the top right header of target file 276-1__176.jpg is 30.8.43.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
* A.C.1 / A.C.2: Aircraftman 1st Class / 2nd Class.
* A.M.O.: Air Ministry Order.
* A.S.P.: Air Stores Park.
* Cpl.: Corporal.
* d/d: dated.
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* M.E.R.O. / A.R.O.: Middle East Routine Order / Air Routine Order.
* M.T.: Mechanical Transport.
* R.A. / T.H. / G.F.: Initials for personnel (Steele, Caine, Warren).
* R.S.U.: Repair and Salvage Unit.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
Personnel and Judicial Observations
* Disciplinary Measures: Paragraphs 214 and 215 provide a realistic look at military justice during the Mediterranean campaign. A.C.1 Steele of No. 280 Squadron received six months' detention for a double security breach: forging a censor's signature and revealing his unit's location. This underscores how strictly "higher authority" viewed operational security (OPSEC) as the Allies prepared to move from Sicily to Italy.
* Negligence and Duty: The convictions of A.C.2 Caine (accidental shooting) and Cpl. Warren (sleeping on guard duty) reflect the types of non-combat incidents that plagued units during lulls in operation. Forfeiting seniority was a severe administrative blow for a non-commissioned officer like Warren.
Location and Health Security
* Sicily (Modern: Sicilia, Italy): By late August 1943, the S.A.A.F. had moved advanced elements onto the island following its fall on August 17. The "out of bounds" order for all towns (Para. 211) was a standard precaution to minimize friction between troops and the local population while preventing the spread of disease.
* Undulant Fever (Brucellosis): The ban on local milk (Para. 212) was a critical health measure. This bacterial infection, often contracted from unpasteurized goat or sheep milk, could sideline personnel with recurring fevers for months, a logistical nightmare as the squadron prepared for the invasion of the Italian mainland.
Historical Context: Transition to Italy
* August 30, 1943: This routine order was issued just three days before Operation BAYTOWN, the Allied invasion of Calabria, Italy.
* Equipment Protection: The detailed instructions on vehicle security (Para. 213) highlight the chronic shortage of mechanical transport in the theater. Every truck was vital for hauling fuel and bombs for the squadron's Martin Baltimore bombers; losing one to "larceny" (theft) was considered a significant operational setback.
* Psychological Warfare: Para. 216 addresses a specific German propaganda tactic: allowing Allied Prisoners of War (POWs) to broadcast messages home. The British Air Ministry forbade this to prevent the enemy from using the fear or well-being of captured airmen to influence the morale of those still fighting.

177
The date written in the 'Date' column of target file 276-1__177.jpg is 27th August 1943.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* S.A.Wing: South African Wing.
* Ref: Reference.
* O.C.: Officer Commanding.
* A.S.P.: Air Stores Park.
* M.U.: Maintenance Unit.
* W.D.: War Department (referring to the vehicle registration numbers).
* Cwt.: Hundredweight (a unit of mass; 15 Cwt is 3/4 of a ton).
* F.W.D.: Four-Wheel Drive.
* T.C. / T.G.: Likely refers to Troop Carrier / Troop General (or similar transport designations).
* U/S / u/s: Unserviceable.
* Chev: Chevrolet.
* M.T.L.R.U.: Mechanical Transport Light Repair Unit.
Personnel and Operational Observations
* The Commanding Officer, 21 Squadron: While not signed on this page, this urgent appeal was issued by the squadron commander (at this time Lt. Col. J.F. Britz, D.F.C.) to his superior at No. 3 S.A. Wing. It reveals a looming logistical crisis: nearly two dozen essential vehicles were failing simultaneously due to engine wear and extreme oil consumption.
* Ground Crew Struggles: The document highlights the invisible war fought by the squadron's mechanics. Managing a fleet of Fords and Chevrolets in the fine volcanic dust of Sicily was a losing battle; the request for "hastening action" indicates that operational mobility was being severely compromised by administrative delays at the Maintenance Units.
Location and Tactical Reality
* Cuticchi, Sicily (Modern: Cuticchi, Italy): By August 27, 1943, 21 Squadron was operating from this forward landing ground in the Sicilian interior.
* The Tyranny of Distance: The reference to vehicles returned to "M.T.L.R.U. in Africa" illustrates the massive supply lines required for the Mediterranean campaign. Heavy repairs and replacements still relied on depots in North Africa, and the lack of replacements meant the squadron was operating with a dangerously diminished motor pool as it prepared to invade the Italian mainland.
Historical Context: The Logistical Bottleneck
* August 27, 1943: This document was written just one week before Operation BAYTOWN, the Allied invasion of mainland Italy.
* Mobility is Life: For an advanced medium bomber squadron flying Martin Baltimores, Mechanical Transport (M.T.) was not a luxury—it was how fuel, 500 lb bombs, and personnel reached the aircraft. The list of failures includes water carts, power vans, and fire tenders—all critical for daily flight operations.
* The Wear of War: The phrase "using excessive oil" is a realistic testament to the harsh conditions of the theater. Constant operation on unpaved roads and under heavy loads had "cooked" the engines of these 1940-1942 model trucks. Without these replacements, the squadron faced the very real possibility of being unable to move forward into Italy with the advancing front.

178
The date written in the 'Date' column on the preceding page of this document (Target File 276-1__177.jpg) is 27th August 1943.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
* T.C.: Troop Carrier (also occasionally used for Truck, Cargo).
* W.D.: War Department census number.
* u/s: Unserviceable.
* Chev.: Chevrolet.
* F.W.D.: Four Wheel Drive.
* B.B.: Box Body (typically a mobile workshop or office).
* M.T.L.R.U.: Mechanical Transport Light Repair Unit.
* Fordson Indust. Tractor: Fordson Industrial Tractor, used for towing aircraft.
* Big end: Refers to the larger end of a connecting rod in an internal combustion engine that attaches to the crankshaft.
Observations on Maintenance and Logistics
This document reveals the catastrophic logistical strain placed on the South African Air Force’s (SAAF) 21 Squadron during the final stages of the Sicilian campaign. By August 27, 1943, the unit's motor pool was effectively collapsing.
* The Engine Crisis: The repetitive entry "Engine u/s. Using excessive oil" is more than a administrative shorthand; it is evidence of the abrasive effect of fine volcanic and desert dust on Allied engines that lacked high-efficiency filtration.
* Critical Technical Failures: The note on Chevrolet W.D. 62623 stating "Big ends to fit unobtainable" underscores the desperate parts shortage. Even vehicles "reputedly" fitted with new engines were failing, likely due to faulty rebuilds or immediate contamination in the field.
* Unit Mobility: The loss of specialized equipment—fire tenders, water carts, and photo vans—directly impacted operational safety and intelligence capabilities. Without fire tenders (such as W.D. 91521), flight operations carried significantly higher risk.
Location and Historical Context
* Catania, Sicily: The report mentions M.T.L.R.U. 3 in Catania. Catania had been captured by the British Eighth Army in early August. It served as a major logistical and repair hub for units operating in Eastern Sicily.
* Operation BAYTOWN Preparation: This report was filed just days before the Allied invasion of the Italian mainland (September 3, 1943). 21 Squadron's inability to replace its 3-ton trucks and troop carriers meant the unit would struggle to move its ground echelons forward into Calabria as the front advanced.
* The "Africa" Supply Line: Returning unserviceable vehicles to "Africa" refers to the massive Rear Maintenance Areas established in Tunisia and Egypt. The mention that "No replacements have been received" highlighting the "bottleneck" that existed between North African depots and forward units on Sicily.

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The date written in the 'Date' column on the first page of this correspondence (referencing Target File 276-1__177.jpg) is 27th August 1943.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
* Big ends / Big end Journals: Components of the internal combustion engine where the connecting rod attaches to the crankshaft. The "journal" is the specific bearing surface on the crankshaft.
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* No. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.: Number 21 Squadron, South African Air Force.
Personnel and Command Observations
* Lieutenant Colonel J. F. Britz, D.F.C.: While the report is signed by Major J. A. B. Ross (Squadron Adjutant) on his behalf, the ultimate authority behind this urgent logistical appeal is Lt. Col. Britz, the Commanding Officer of 21 Squadron SAAF.
* Major J. A. B. Ross: Acting for the C.O., Major Ross highlights a critical instance of administrative and mechanical failure. His report reflects the frustration of front-line units receiving substandard equipment from rear-echelon depots.
Historical Context: The Logistical Crisis of August 1943
* The "Ground and Built Up" Failure: This document provides evidence of high-level logistical attrition. The discovery that crankshaft journals had been "ground and then built up"—a faulty repair practice likely involving sub-par welding or metal spraying—indicates that the supply depots in Tripoli, Libya, were under such pressure that they were issuing "reconditioned" engines that were mechanically compromised.
* The Attrition of Mobility: By August 27, 1943, 21 Squadron was operating from forward landing grounds in Sicily (specifically Cuticchi). The warning that the squadron's "mobility will be seriously affected" was issued just six days before Operation BAYTOWN, the Allied invasion of the Italian mainland.
* Impact on Air Operations: While 21 Squadron successfully flew Martin Baltimore bombers against Italian rail junctions, this ground-level report shows the unit was nearly immobilized. Without reliable 3-ton trucks and troop carriers (T.C.), the squadron could not move its ground echelons, fuel bowsers, or bomb loads across the mountainous Sicilian terrain to keep pace with the advancing front.
* Modern Location Comparison: The logistical hub in Tripoli remains the capital of modern Libya. The distance from Tripoli to the Sicilian front was approximately 450 miles by sea, highlighting the vast and often broken supply lines that the SAAF had to navigate to maintain operational readiness.

180
The date written in the header of target file 276-1__180.jpg for the period covered by the report is 1. 8. 43 to 31. 8. 43.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Abbreviations and Technical Terms Expanded
* S.A.A.: Small Arms Ammunition.
* .5 / .3: Calibers of ammunition (.50 inch and .30 inch respectively).
* lbs: pounds (weight of explosive ordnance).
* Lieut / 2nd/Lt: Lieutenant / Second Lieutenant.
* F/Sgt / A/A/Sgt: Flight Sergeant / Acting Air Sergeant.
* P.O.W.: Prisoner of War.
* gals: Imperial gallons.
Personnel and Operational Observations
* The High Cost of Non-Combat Accidents: While the squadron reported Nil aircraft lost to enemy action, the summary notes one aircraft wrecked by "other causes". This refers to the tragic crash of Baltimore 344 X on August 17/18, 1943, following an engine failure on approach to Luqa, Malta. The entire crew—Lieut. Simpson, Lieut. Handley, F/Sgt. Roberts, and F/Sgt. Shepperson—were killed, representing 100% of the unit’s fatalities for the month.
* Wounded Personnel: 2nd/Lt. Toms was wounded during a night straffing mission over Adrano on August 5/6. A/A/Sgt. Buchler was "seriously wounded" by heavy anti-aircraft fire while operating as a top gunner over the Lamezia rail junction on August 28.
* Logistical Intensity: The expenditure of 24,212 gallons of fuel and 1,428 bombs of various weights across only 17 operational days illustrates the high-tempo nature of the squadron's role in the final stages of the Sicilian campaign and the initial strikes against mainland Italy.
Historical Context: The Transition from Sicily to Italy
* August 1943 (Operation HUSKY and BAYTOWN Prep): This summary covers the critical period where the 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. transitioned its base of operations from Malta to the newly captured landing grounds in Sicily, such as Cuticchi.
* Ordnance Selection: The heavy use of 40 lb fragmentation bombs (840 dropped) reflects the unit's "intruder" role, designed to shred soft-skinned Axis transport vehicles and personnel during their night retreats across the Messina straits. The use of 500 lb General Purpose bombs increased toward the end of the month as the squadron shifted its focus to destroying heavy rail infrastructure on the Italian mainland in Calabria.
* The Martin Baltimore: Throughout August, the squadron maintained a remarkably high serviceability rate of 90%, despite the harsh conditions of volcanic dust and improvised desert maintenance. This is a realistic testament to the ground crews' efforts to keep an average of 19 aircraft combat-ready during a month of relentless logistical strain.

181
The date written in the 'Date' column of the Squadron Routine Order (header area) is 18th August, 1943.