[Routine Order] Z 49 — Orders & Appendices

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Z 49
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 5/44 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
By
LT. COL. C. P. KOTZE.
Officer Commanding.
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
26th January, 1944.
Para. 27. INFORMATION LECTURE.
A lecture will be given in the Airmens' Mess on the 27. 1. 44.
at 19.15. hours. Lecturer: Cpl. Andeton. Subject: The Co-operative
Movement in Britain.
Para. 28. CORRESPONDENCE COURSES.
All personnel interested in Correspondence Courses are requested
to interview the Information Officer at the Orderly Room on Friday,
(28. 1. 44) between 10.30 and 12.30 hours.
Para. 29. DENTAL PARADE.
The undermentioned personnel will report to the Dental Officer
at 08.30 hours tomorrow, Thursday, 27th January, 1944. (No.3.(S.A) Wing.)
205547V. Lt. Witte R. C.
327297V. F/Sgt. Boucher K. A.
211360V. A/M. Robb. T. P.
313281V. A/M. Clarke W.
96855V. W.O.II. Atkinson. L.A.J.
Para. 30. ALCOHOL - FOGGIA DISTRICT.
Information has been received that a certain quantity of Lead
Alcohol has been stolen by civilians in the Foggia District. There is a
possibility that this may be used to fortify locally produced wine, and
if consumed may lead to fatal cases of lead poisoning. All ranks are
warned that any wine purchased in the Foggia District must be treated as
suspect. (A.R.O. Ser. 55. Para. 514 D/d. 31.12.43.)
Para. 31. DELETED.
Para. 32. MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION.
The following message has been received from Air Chief Marshal
Sir A.W.Tedder on his leaving the Mediterranean Command for a new appointment.
"I am terribly sorry that circumstances have made it impossible
for me to come and say goodbye to the old firm before leaving. The Desert
Air Force has made its name in history and I am proud to have been associated
with it almost from its birth at Maaten Bagush. To all of you I wish all
the best".
[Signature]
LT. COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING. 21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Farewell to the "Old Firm" (Sir Arthur Tedder): The message in Para 32 is of significant historical weight. Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder was departing the Mediterranean theater to become Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord (the D-Day invasion). His message is deeply sentimental, referring to the "Desert Air Force" (DAF) as "the old firm"—a term of endearment for the core units that fought from the beginning.
* Maaten Bagush: Tedder specifically references the "birth at Maaten Bagush." This was a cluster of airfields in Egypt used during the early desert campaigns of 1940-41. By citing this specific location, he acknowledges the long, dusty road 21 Squadron had traveled from the Egyptian desert to the mud of Italy.
* Lethal Wine (Lead Poisoning): Para 30 contains a chilling health warning: "Lead Alcohol has been stolen... used to fortify locally produced wine." This likely refers to industrial methanol or leaded fuel additives stolen from military stocks. Civilians, desperate for profit, added it to weak wine to increase its "kick." The result was often fatal lead poisoning or blindness for the troops who consumed it, making the local "vino" a deadly gamble.
* Post-War Preparation (Co-operative Movement): The lecture topic in Para 27 ("The Co-operative Movement in Britain") indicates that despite the intense fighting, the military was already engaging troops in civics education, looking ahead to the social and economic structures of the post-war world.
* Personnel on Dental Parade:
* Lt. R.C. Witte: A regular pilot seen in previous logs (e.g., Sortie 529 on Jan 24th).
* F/Sgt. K.A. Boucher: A regular wireless operator/gunner (e.g., flying with Capt. Job on Jan 25th).
* W.O.II L.A.J. Atkinson: A senior Warrant Officer (Class 2).
* A.R.O.: Abbreviation for Air Routine Orders (issued by higher command).

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Verification: Target File Verification: The document is a "SORTIE REPORT (Part A)" dated 27 Jan 44.