[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 3/44

Thursday, 20 January 1944 Other

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 3/44
BY
LT. COL. C. P. KOTZE.
20th January, 1944.
Para. 15. AFRICA STAR.
* (a) The ribbon of the Africa Star is pale buff in colour, with a
broad central stripe of dark blue, a narrow light blue and dark
carmine stripe, and a narrow light blue. The background is intended so as
to be that of the desert, the central dark blue stripe representing the Navy
the narrow light blue stripes, the Air Force and the dark carmine strip the Army
and the light blue stripes for the Air Force. The ribbon is to
be worn between the 1939 - 1943 Star and the War Medal 1939 - 1945.
(b) The ribbon of the Africa Star will be worn immediately after the
Ribbon of every War Medal.
* Qualifying dates for the Africa Star is service on the strength of a Unit
or formation as follows:
(i) North Africa West of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea and East of
the Meridian of Long. 10 E from June 1940 to 12 May.43 (both dates inclusive).
(ii) Operations on Italian Somaliland and Eritrea from 10 June.40 to 27
Nov.41 (both dates inclusive).
(iii) British Somaliland from 4 Aug.40 to 19 Aug.40 (both dates inclusive).
(iv) Malta from 10 Jun.40 to 12 May.43 (both dates inclusive).
* All ranks awarded the 1939 - 1943 Star and the Africa Star will be
awarded to aircrew and non-aircrew personnel of the SAAF on the same
basis as the RAF, to aircrew personnel under the command of the A.O.C.I.
(Air Officer Commanding in Chief), SAAF, and to non-aircrew personnel
who are members of the SAAF serving with the RAF and to aircrew
personnel of the SAAF serving with the RAF or Free Czech or Polish Air
Force, and to aircrew personnel under the command of the A.O.C.I.
RAF Middle East (ME) and Air Officer Commanding in Chief, RAF Mediter-
ranean (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) who were members of the
SAAF on the same basis as the RAF, to aircrew personnel under the command of the A.O.C.I.
SAAF or in the setting of Russia's or Von Armin's surrender in North
Africa to Air Officer Commanding in Chief RAF Middle East and RAF Mediter-
ranean. The foregoing conditions do not apply to the 1939 - 1943 Star.
S.A.A.F. personnel who qualify for the 1939 - 1943 Star will be granted 1
clasp to this Star for the service referred to in this paragraph.
* (a) The clasp to be worn on the ribbon of the Africa Star will be
awarded to aircrew who participated in a minimum of 60 days' service
in an operational unit outside the Union of South Africa, during the
period 10 Jun.40 to 12 May.43.
Para. 16. THE 1939 - 1943 STAR.
The final conditions regarding the award of the 1939 - 1943 Star
have not yet been received. When they are available, a précis will be issued
giving the position.
(b) The Issue of the ribbon of this Star is sufficient for the present
to aircrew personnel, provided they fulfill the following conditions:
(i) Continuous service in 60 days' service in an operational unit outside
the Union of South Africa during the period 10.6.40 to 12.5.43. The
period need not be continuous but it must total 60 days on the strength
of an operational unit.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Document Context: This is an administrative order (SRO) specifically detailing the eligibility and regulations for two key campaign medals: the Africa Star and the 1939–1943 Star.
* The Africa Star (Ribbon Description): Paragraph 1(a) provides a detailed description of the ribbon: pale buff (representing the desert) with central stripes (dark blue for Navy, narrow light blue for Air Force, and dark carmine for Army).
* Qualifying Area and Dates: The order lists four specific qualifying areas for the Africa Star, all linked to the North African and East African campaigns:
* North Africa: West of the Suez Canal and East of Longitude 10^\circ E (May 1940 to May 1943).
* Italian Somaliland and Eritrea.
* British Somaliland.
* Malta: (June 1940 to May 1943).
* Significance: Since 21 SAAF Squadron was operating in Italy in 1944 (the period covered in these logs), the crews would have qualified for the Africa Star by service in the earlier North African campaign (which ended in May 1943).
* The 1939–1943 Star (Clasp and Conditions): The order discusses the conditions for the 1939–1943 Star (later known as the 1939–1945 Star) and its clasp.
* Clasp: A clasp could be awarded for SAAF personnel who also qualified for the Africa Star.
* Aircrew Qualification (Para 16): Aircrew had to complete a minimum of 60 days' service in an operational unit outside the Union of South Africa during the qualifying period (June 10, 1940, to May 12, 1943).
* A.O.C.I. / R.A.F. M.E.: A.O.C.I. stands for Air Officer Commanding in Chief. The text details the complex chain of command, referencing the SAAF, the RAF, and the RAF Middle East (ME), illustrating the integrated nature of the Allied air forces in the theater.
* M.E.T. Expansion: The instruction does not include the term M.E.T. but the previous page (269-1__48.jpg) noted M.E.T. as Motor Enemy Transport.

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Verification: Target File Verification: This document is Page Two of "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 3/44" (continued from the previous file 269-1__49.jpg). While there is no standard "Date" column on this page, the text specifies dates for action: "Friday, 21st January, '44" and "Saturday, 22nd January, '44".