[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER 4/44 contd. PAGE THREE.

Monday, 24 January 1944 Other

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER 4/44 contd. PAGE THREE.
Para. 24. continued.
The practice of combining "eyes right" or "eyes left" with the
salute originated from the older days, when it was the privilege of men-at
arms to look their superiors in the face, while others must pass with downcast
eyes.
This salute is, therefore, a recognition of comradeship and mutual
trust between men-at-arms; it is, at the same time, an acknowledgment of
discipline and has become a visible indication of common allegiance which
all ranks owe to the Crown and its service.
The standard of saluting is, therefore, an indication of esprit-
de-corps of units and formations. History, including the present war,
has proved that high esprit-de-corps and good discipline increase the
fighting efficiency of units and formations.
The recognition of comradeship and mutual trust inherent in the
salute must be mutual and not one-sided, e.g. both parties must look each
other in the eyes, and officers receiving the salute must return it in a
smart, soldierly and orthodox manner. The slovenly return of a salute
cannot but breed slovenliness. The officer will, therefore, return the
salute in a proper manner and will invariably look the giver in the eyes.
Officers and soldiers, when on leave or detachment, will show by
the standard of their saluting their determination to maintain with pride
the reputation of their unit, corps and formation.
(G.R.O. Ser. 76. Para. 18. dated 8.Jan.'44)
Para. 25. POS - ADRESSE VAN PERSONEEL VAN DIE U.V.M.
(a) Die woorde, "Militere Poskantoor, Durban." moet nie meer
ingesluit word in die adres van eenhede en personeel van die U.V.M. wat op
diens is buitekant die Unie nie.
(b) Para. 3(a) van U.V.M. Posinstruksies, Omsendbrief No. 5. moet
geskrap en word vervang deur die volgende nuwe para. 3(a):-
Die adres van alle personeel van die U.V.M. wat in die Strydmagte
Midde Ooste of Sentrale Middellandse Strydmagte dien, sal wees:
Nommer, Rang, Naam,
Kompanjie, Battery, Eskadron of Vleuel,
Regiment of S.A.L.M. ,
U.V.M., S.M.O. of U.V.M., S.M.S.
Para. 26. DENTAL PARADE.
The undermentioned personnel will report to the Dental Officer
at No. 3. (S.A.) Wing to-morrow, Monday, 24th January, 1944 at 08.30 hrs.
No. 328519V. Lieut. Lambert P. H.
No. 103780V. Lieut. White. E. T.
No. 299756V. Cpl. La Grange P. J.
No. 210139V. A/M. Shanker S.
No. 543675V. A/M. Weiss C. G.
No. 578616V. A/M. Watkins. R. J.
No. 181102V. A/M. Viljoen J. J.
[Signature]
Major
for LT. COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING. 21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F.
NOTICES
CHURCH SERVICE
A CHURCH SERVICE WILL BE HELD TO-NIGHT (SUNDAY) 23. 1. '44. AT
0.9. R. S. U. AT 18.30 HOURS. ALL ARE WELCOME.
DENTAL.
Personnel wishing to make Dental appointments for Mondays and Thursdays
must hand their names in to the Orderly Room in time for publication in Routine Orders.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Correction (Lt. P.H. Lambert): You are absolutely correct. The Dental Parade list clearly types his initials as P. H. ("Lieut. Lambert P. H."). Upon reviewing the previous document (269-1__55.jpg), the typescript was slightly blurred, but this document provides the definitive clarification. The observer in your grandfather's crew is indeed Lt. P.H. Lambert.
* Philosophy of the Salute: The text reframes the salute not as an act of submission, but as an ancient privilege of "men-at-arms" to "look their superiors in the face," fostering "comradeship and mutual trust." This text was aimed at maintaining discipline among volunteer troops by appealing to their pride ("esprit-de-corps") rather than just fear of punishment.
* Bilingual Administration (Afrikaans): Paragraph 25 is written entirely in Afrikaans, instructing a change in postal addresses.
* U.V.M.: Stands for Unie Verdedigings Mag (Union Defence Force).
* Address Change: The order mandates that "Militere Poskantoor, Durban" (Military Post Office, Durban) must no longer be used. Instead, mail should be addressed to "Strydmagte Midde Ooste" (Middle East Forces - S.M.O.) or "Sentrale Middellandse Strydmagte" (Central Mediterranean Forces - S.M.S.). This shift acknowledges the squadron's full integration into the Italian campaign structure (CMF), separating from the North African logistical lines.
* Unit Structure (No. 3 Wing): The dental parade is at "No. 3. (S.A.) Wing". 21 Squadron was a component of No. 3 Wing SAAF, a tactical formation operating under the Desert Air Force. The Wing provided centralized support (like the Dental Officer) for its squadrons.
* R.S.U. (Repair and Salvage Unit): The Church Service is held at the Repair and Salvage Unit. These units were mobile workshops located just behind the front-line airfields to repair damaged aircraft that couldn't be fixed by the squadron mechanics. They often had larger facilities suitable for gatherings.

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Verification: Target File Verification: The document is a "SORTIE REPORT (Part A)" dated 23 Jan 44.