[Routine Order] 21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F. No. 91/43 186 SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS — Orders & Appendices

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21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F. No. 91/43 186 SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS
By
MAJOR J. I. STUART
Acting Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron. S.A.A.F.
22nd November, 1943.
Para. 303. CENSORSHIP - GREEN ENVELOPES
* There has recently been a noticeable increase of breaches of security in correspondence sent in green envelopes. A.F. W3078.
* The misuse of green envelopes, which are for the transmission of letters relating to private and family affairs only, is a serious offence.
* In future, units whose green envelopes mail has been found to contain a large proportion of breaches of security will be given one warning.
* If, after the issue of this warning, any further breaches of security in the use of green envelopes occur, then the issue of green envelopes to that unit will be suspended immediately, in accordance with paragraph (ix), Section 19. Part 1. of Field Censorship regulations, MEF.
(G.R.O. M.A.C. Ser. No. 71. para. 1184).
Para. 304 LECTURE.
A lecture will be given by the Medical Officer, on Veneral Disease "Its Prevention and Cure" at the Airmens Mess on Thurs. 25th November at 19.00 hours. All Airmen are to attend; only those on duty will be excused.
Para. 305. PARACHUTE No. 129715.
The Officer or N.C.O. who is in possession of Observer Type Parachute No. 129715 is to report to the Adjutant, immediately.
Para. 306. SERGEANTS' MESS.
A General Meeting will be held in the Sergeants Mess on Wednesday 24th November, at 19.15 hours. All members, not on duty, will attend.
(Sgd) [unclear signature] Major.
Acting Officer Commanding. 21 Squadron. S.A.A.F.
N O T I C E S.
LIBRARY. As each Mess will in future have its own Library, ALL BOOKS taken from the Orderly Room Library must be returned immediately.
NATIONAL SAVINGS CERTIFICATES - R.A.F. PERSONNEL.
It is notified for information of all R.A.F. personnel that an Hon. Agent - F/Lt. Burgess S.L.F. - has been appointed for this Wing. Personnel may purchase certificates at this Headquarters every Friday from 09.00 to 12.00 hours. They should report to R.A.F. Section, Orderly Room. It should be noted that this does not apply to R.C.A.F., S.A.A.F., nor R.N.Z.A.F. personnel.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes
Expanded Abbreviations
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* A.F.: Army Form.
* MEF: Middle East Forces.
* G.R.O.: General Routine Order.
* M.A.C.: Mediterranean Air Command.
* N.C.O.: Non-Commissioned Officer.
* R.A.F.: Royal Air Force.
* F/Lt.: Flight Lieutenant.
* R.C.A.F.: Royal Canadian Air Force.
* R.N.Z.A.F.: Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Observations on Individuals
* Major Charles Stuart (J.I. Stuart): Serving as the Acting Officer Commanding. Stuart assumed command following the death of Lt. Col. Jack Britz on November 3rd, 1943. His signature on these orders underscores the heavy administrative burden of maintaining discipline and security in an occupied theater.
* Flight Lieutenant Burgess: Appointed as an Honorary Agent for National Savings Certificates. His role highlights the financial administration that continued even in active combat zones, though the notice explicitly excludes non-RAF personnel from this specific service.
Location and Historical Context
* Tortorella Landing Ground: While not named, the "Orderly Room" and "Airmens Mess" were central hubs of the 21 Squadron camp at Tortorella (Foggia No. 2) in the Foggia plain.
* Green Envelopes (Para. 303): These were special envelopes (Army Form W3078) that allowed soldiers to send personal letters home without their immediate unit officers reading them. The soldier signed a declaration that the letter contained only private matters. The "noticeable increase of breaches of security" suggests personnel were using these envelopes to bypass local censorship and share sensitive tactical or logistical information, a "serious offence" that threatened the safety of the entire Wing.
* Health and Morale (Para. 304 & Library): The mandatory lecture on Venereal Disease by the Medical Officer reflects a major non-combat concern for Allied commanders in Italy. Simultaneously, the decentralization of the library to individual messes shows an effort to improve the quality of life for airmen during the winter lull.
* Parachute Accountability (Para. 305): The specific call for "Observer Type Parachute No. 129715" indicates a rigorous equipment tracking system. In the context of the high casualty rates and technical failures seen in recent missions (such as the premature bomb detonation on November 21st), such gear was literally life-saving.

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The date written in the 'Date' column for the target image 276-2__68.jpg is 24 Nov 43.