Document
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 81/43 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.
27th October, 1943.
Para. 272. MOVEMENTS OF M.T. ON TORTORELLA L.G. (FOGGIA No. 2)
* Mechanical Transport will not unless specially authorised by the WING or SQUADRON COMMANDING OFFICERS travel in the LANDING GROUND Area.
* In respect of the following Areas:-
(i) (a) Landing Ground.
(b) Dispersal Areas.
(c) Wing and Squadron CAMP Areas.
a Speed Limit of 10 miles per hour is imposed.
(ii) ALL vehicles will stop in their tracks immediately it starts raining and will remain stationary for a period of two hours after it has ceased raining. In extreme circumstances only the WING COMMANDER and SQUADRON COMMANDERS personally may authorise the vehicle concerned to proceed.
* These orders are promulgated to ensure effective operations and any breach will be regarded as an act of Sabotage. They are to be fully explained to all M.T. Drivers, particularly the N. M. C. No excuse for the non-compliance of these orders will be accepted.
(ARO. 28/1943. para. 124. dated 23rd. Oct., 1943).
Para. 273. MESSAGE OF REGRET.
The following Signal has been received by Col DURRANT from Field Marshal SMUTS.
"Adv. 771. 5/Oct.
Please convey to all ranks my regret that I was unable to see them on parade.
You have all done splendid work and I wish you all the best of luck."
(Sgd) J.F. Britz
Lt. Col.
Officer Commanding, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. C.M.F.
N O T I C E
U.D.F.I. MOBILE CANTEEN
The U.D.F.I. Mobile Canteen will serve this Squadron on Wednesday of each week.
Transcriber’s Notes
* Expanded Abbreviations:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* C.M.F.: Central Mediterranean Force.
* LT. COL. / D.F.C.: Lieutenant Colonel / Distinguished Flying Cross.
* M.T.: Mechanical Transport.
* L.G.: Landing Ground.
* N.M.C.: Native Military Corps.
* ARO.: Air Routine Order.
* U.D.F.I.: Union Defence Force Institute.
* Sgd: Signed.
* Observations on Individuals:
* Lt. Col. J.F. Britz, D.F.C.: Jacobus "Jack" Frederik Britz, the signatory of this order, was the highly respected Officer Commanding (OC) of No. 21 Squadron. He was known for a "lead-from-the-front" style, personally participating in hazardous night-time bombing missions over the Italian mainland.
* Field Marshal Jan Smuts: The Prime Minister of South Africa during WWII. His "Message of Regret" (Para. 273) underscores the high-level attention paid to South African units serving in the Mediterranean.
* Col. J.T. Durrant: Officer Commanding No. 3 (S.A.) Wing, which oversaw 21 Squadron along with Nos. 12 and 24 Squadrons.
* Location and Modern Name:
* Tortorella Landing Ground (Foggia No. 2): Located in the Foggia plain of Southern Italy. Occupied by Allied forces in late September 1943, it was a vital hub for the Desert Air Force (DAF).
* Modern Name: Today, the site remains largely agricultural, located near the modern Foggia "Gino Lisa" Airport. While the airfield infrastructure has mostly reverted to farmland, it remains a historical site of significant tactical importance during the Italian Campaign.
* Historical Context:
* The Mud of Italy: The strict order for vehicles to "stop in their tracks" during rain (Para. 272) reflects the treacherous nature of the Italian winter. The Foggia plains were notorious for turning into impassable quagmires, and a single bogged vehicle could halt vital operational traffic on the landing ground, hence the harsh designation of non-compliance as "Sabotage".
* Strategic Role: At this date (October 27, 1943), 21 Squadron was operating Martin Baltimore bombers in support of the Allied advance against the Bernhardt Line. These interdiction missions focused on destroying German supply lines and infrastructure.
* Logistics and Morale: The mention of the N.M.C. highlights the essential support provided by Black South African soldiers. Meanwhile, the U.D.F.I. Mobile Canteen provided rare comforts like cigarettes, soap, and snacks, which were critical for maintaining morale in the wet, arduous conditions of the Foggia airfields.
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The date written in the 'Date' column of the Sortie Report is 29/10/43.