Document
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 80/43 21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F. C.M.F.
By
LT. COL. J.F. BRITZ. D.F.C.
Officer Commanding.
21 Squadron. S.A.A.F.
C. M. F.
1st October, 1943.
Para. 271 MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION.
The following messages of congratulation exchanged between Chiefs of Staff are published for the information of all concerned:-
From General Alexander to General Spaatz. 15 Army Groups-
"I have just returned from an extensive tour of the Fifth Army front during which I talked with the Army and many subordinate commanders, their staffs and other ranks. General CLARK has asked me to convey to you and to the officers and men of the North West African Air Force whom you command, the sincere thanks and appreciation of Fifth Army for the magnificent air support which was given them. It has greatly heartened the ground forces and has contributed much to the success of their operations. All were most enthusiastic in their acclaim of the close and continuous support which has been given them by the Air Force. To the foregoing I should like to add my own appreciation and admiration of a task well done. Not only have your tremendous air attacks added greatly to the morale of the ground and naval forces but, in addition, have inflicted on the enemy losses in men and equipment. They have seriously interfered with his movements, interrupted his communications and prevented his concentration of the necessary forces to launch large scale attacks. You have contributed immeasurably to the success of our operations and to the final victory which will inevitably follow".
From General Spaatz to General Alexander.-
"Your letter of September 17 is most deeply appreciated. The knowledge that the effect of their efforts is fully realised will be an inspiration to them to increase their effectiveness in our future joint operations".
From General Spaatz to Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham:-
"Never before have the Air Forces been given such sincere recognition by an Army commander. Please add my appreciation for the splendidly executed operations of the Tactical Air Force which have played such a significant role in this campaign".
From Air Commodore Sinclair T.A.F. to Colonel Durrant. 3 (S.A.) Wing.-
"Air Marshal Coningham has asked me to add from him an expression of his sincerest admiration for the fighting and work of our air forces during the recent weeks He states that their very great success, which is so well deserved has been duly recognised by all Services. I would like to take this opportunity of sending you my personal thanks for the very hard work which has been sustained over such a considerable period of time by yourself, your aircrew and all ground personnel, and which has resulted in such excellent support being provided".
(Sgd) J.F. Britz
Lt. Col.
Officer Commanding, 21 Squadron. S.A.A.F. C.M.F.
Transcriber’s Notes
Expanded Abbreviations
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force
* C.M.F.: Central Mediterranean Force
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross
* T.A.F.: Tactical Air Force
* S.A.: South African
* Sgd: Signed
Observations on Individuals Mentioned
* Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Britz, D.F.C.: Jacobus "Jack" Frederik Britz was the Officer Commanding (O.C.) of No. 21 Squadron S.A.A.F.. He was a highly regarded leader, noted for personally leading his crews on hazardous nighttime "interdiction" bombing missions during the Italian campaign.
* General Harold Alexander: At this time, Alexander was the Commander-in-Chief of 15th Army Group, overseeing the Allied ground forces in the Mediterranean theater.
* General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz: Commander of the Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF).
* General Mark Clark: Commander of the United States Fifth Army, which spearheaded the Allied invasion of the Italian mainland.
* Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham: A key figure in the development of tactical air support and commander of the Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF).
* Colonel J.T. Durrant: Officer Commanding No. 3 (S.A.) Wing, which comprised the South African squadrons 12, 21, and 24.
Location and Modern Geography
* Cuticchi, Sicily: While not explicitly stated in this specific order, concurrent records from the preceding weeks place No. 21 Squadron at the Cuticchi landing ground in the Catania plain of Sicily.
* Catania Plain: This area today remains a fertile agricultural region of Sicily, located near the modern Sigonella Naval Air Station. The wartime temporary airstrips have largely reverted to farmland.