[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 72/43 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.

Sunday, 19 September 1943 Other

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 72/43 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
By
LT. COL. J.F. BRITZ, D.F.C.
Commanding Officer,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
U.D.F., M.E.F.
19th September, 1943.
Para. 257. KIT DISINFESTATION:— All kit and bedding must be disinfested and in order to carry this out, the following is published for the information and strict compliance of all personnel.
The Hygiene Warrant Officer will give the occupants of each Tent instructions when to report with their kit and blankets.
Para. 258. (A) DRESS:— It has been noted that under certain conditions, flying personnel have been wearing a variety of uniforms and flying equipment.
In some instances, it has been observed where members of crews have worn civilian trousers, etc.
Because of the danger inherent where crews are liable to capture by the enemy, it is recommended that the provisions of the Geneva Convention covering the uniform of military personnel be strictly observed.
The necessity for adhering to these conventions cannot be over-emphasised.
"By Command of Lt. General SPAATZ."
(B) The Following Definition of Uniform is published for the information guidance of all concerned.
Any clothing uniformly worn by the Armed Forces by regulation is uniform, provided that the distinctive signs customarily worn with such clothing have not been purposely removed. The fact that Uniform necessarily varies in different climates and in varying circumstances does not alter the fact that it is uniform. For example, a British soldier or airman is not the less in uniform because he is wearing a great coat, a jacket without a great coat or shirt sleeves, each of these garments being regulation, distinctive and generally worn in his service. But if he takes off his service dress or battle dress and stands up in a suit not generally worn in the circumstances in which he is, he is in disguise and not in uniform.
Sheepskin coats, Puffle coats, white ski clothing, airmen's suits are just as much as service dress or battle dress provided they fulfill the conditions in the previous paragraph.
Para. 259. EXAMINATIONS:— If you are studying for any of the following exams, you can write them this year in M.E.
| Union Ed Dept. | Scale of Fees. |
|---|---|
| Std. VI, VII | 2/6 per subject. |
| Junior, Senior (Matric) Cert. | 3/6 " " |
| N.T.C. I, II, III, | " " " |
| A.T.C. | 5/6 " " |
Joint Board Exams.
Junior Certificate and Matriculation.
University of South Africa.
Any degree subjects.
Joint Board of Professional Exams.
Civil Service Lower Law.
Attorney's Admission.
The closing date for entering is at hand. Get into touch immediately with Sqn. Inform Offr. for the necessary forms to fill out. These must be returned to him with the fees payable.
If the exam you’re working for is not listed above, make enquiries.
(Senior Information Officer, d/d 14/8/43)
(Sgd) [unclear] Capt.
for .............................. Lt. Col.
Commanding Officer, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
Notices contd next Page.................. 2/

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes
* Military Abbreviations Expanded:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* U.D.F.: Union Defence Force (South Africa's military forces).
* M.E.F.: Middle East Forces.
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* Std.: Standard.
* N.T.C.: National Technical Certificate.
* A.T.C.: Advanced Technical Certificate.
* Sqn. Inform Offr.: Squadron Information Officer.
* d/d: Dated.
* Observations on Individuals:
* Lt. Col. J.F. Britz, D.F.C.: Jacobus "Jack" Frederik Britz, the Officer Commanding (OC) of 21 Squadron. Known for his "hands-on" leadership, he personally led hazardous night bombing missions during this phase of the Italian campaign.
* Lt. General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz: Commander of the Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). His command included the South African 3 Wing. His specific directive regarding uniforms highlights a critical legal concern for aircrews operating over occupied territory.
* Historical Context and Location:
* Location: At the time of this order (September 19, 1943), 21 Squadron was based at Cuticchi in Sicily. From this forward landing ground, they flew Martin Baltimore bombers on night-time interdiction sorties against German supply lines.
* Uniforms and the Geneva Convention (Para 258): The stern warning about wearing civilian clothing (like trousers) under flying gear was a matter of life and death. Under the Hague and Geneva Conventions, combatants not in uniform could be treated as spies and summarily executed upon capture. As crews were operating over mountainous, enemy-held territory in Italy, the risk of being shot down and captured was high.
* Kit Disinfestation (Para 257): This order highlights the struggle with field hygiene in the Mediterranean. Body lice and the resulting risk of typhus were constant threats in semi-permanent camps like Cuticchi.
* Continuing Education (Para 259): Despite the high operational tempo following the Allied landings at Salerno (September 9, 1943), the South African military maintained a robust education program. This allowed airmen and ground staff to continue their civilian academic and professional qualifications (Matriculation, Law, Degrees) while on active service.
* Theater Significance: These orders were issued as the Allied forces were attempting to break out from the Salerno beachhead. The squadron's night interdiction missions were essential in preventing German reinforcements from reaching the front lines.

9
The target file 276-2__9.jpg is a continuation sheet for Squadron Routine Orders and does not contain a formal 'Date' column. However, it is verified as the correct image by the header which links it to Order No. 72/43, previously dated 19th September, 1943.