[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 11/44 continued.

Saturday, 29 January 1944 Other

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 11/44 continued.
PAGE TWO.
Para. 48. POISONING : ETHYLENE GLYCOL.
Several fatalities have been reported resulting from the
drinking of ethylene glycol.
This highly poisonous substance is used as a cooler for air-
craft engines and as an anti-freeze liquid in the radiators of motor
vehicles.
It should never be drank under any circumstances.
(G.R.O. Ser. 80. Order 78 dd. 29.1.44.)
Para. 49. DRESS:
An increasing tendency on the part of both Officers and Other
Ranks to disregard U.D.F Dress Regulations and to appear in public in a
slovenly-dressed manner has been observed and has been the subject
of critical comment by senior R.A.F. and Land Force commanders in the (obscured)
It is fully appreciated that in many cases it is not possible
for personnel to conform in detail to prescribed dress regulations owing
to the fact that certain items of clothing peculiar to the U.D.F. are
not available. This must not however be regarded as justification for
irregular and untidy dress, such as the wearing of the battle dress
blouse unbuttoned at the neck and without collar and tie and the wearing
of multi-coloured jerseys and pullovers which protrude beneath the blouse.
It is fully understood that these remarks do not apply to
personnel when they are actually engaged on their operational duties, but
are directed against personnel who are walking out or on leave. Neverthe-
less, when a member of the U.D.F. on duty is called upon to proceed bey-
the environs of the camp he should be correctly dressed as far as possibl[e]
and in as neat and tidy condition as the circumstances permit.
(Adv/C.O.S/413/2 dated 3. 2. 44)
Para. 50. MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION:
MESS.GE FROM AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR ARTHUR W. TEDDER. G.C.B.
"On handing over the Command I wish to express to all ranks of
the Allied Air Forces my deep appreciation of the gallantry, determination
and devotion to duty you have displayed during the past year's campaign.
"The great command to which you all belong was created as an
expression of unity of air power; national and personal feelings have b[een]
set aside to achieve that Unity. If ever there was an example of the old
saying that 'unity is strength' you have given it in what you have achiev[ed]
in this theatre during the past year; the overthrow of the vaunted
Luftwaffe; the crippling blows at Fascism; the support you have given t[o]
our comrades on sea and Land in their share of the battle.
"I am proud to have been a member of so united a team. I regret
leaving it before the job is completed, but I leave it in good hands. I
send you my heartfelt good wishes"
(Signature) (Illegible) LT.COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Medical Hazards (Ethylene Glycol Poisoning):
* The Issue: The specific warning about Ethylene Glycol (antifreeze/coolant) points to a grim reality of the war. Soldiers seeking alcohol sometimes resorted to drinking radiator fluid or aircraft coolant, mistaking it for, or desperate for, a substitute for spirits. It has a sweet taste but causes fatal kidney failure. The mention of "Several fatalities" indicates this had become a significant non-combat cause of death in the theater.
* Uniform Standards (Para. 49):
* U.D.F. vs. British Standards: The order addresses friction regarding the appearance of South African troops (U.D.F. - Union Defence Force). Coming from the desert campaign where "irregular" dress (shorts, shirts, no ties) was tolerated for comfort, the transition to the colder, wetter Italian winter required Battle Dress.
* "Multi-coloured jerseys": The specific prohibition against "multi-coloured jerseys and pullovers which protrude beneath the blouse" suggests soldiers were wearing non-regulation civilian knits to stay warm in the Foggia mud, drawing the ire of "senior R.A.F. and Land Force commanders" who prioritized discipline and uniformity in Europe.
* Historical Figure (Sir Arthur Tedder):
* The Message: Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder sent this farewell message upon leaving his post as Air Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF).
* Context: In January 1944, Tedder was appointed Deputy Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force (under Eisenhower) to plan Operation Overlord (D-Day). His reference to the "unity of air power" reflects his successful doctrine of integrating strategic and tactical air forces to support ground operations—a lesson perfected in North Africa and Italy that would be crucial in Normandy.
* Abbreviations:
* G.R.O.: General Routine Order.
* C.O.S.: Chief of Staff.
* G.C.B.: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.
* dd.: dated.

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Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'J'" Sortie Report. The date in the header is 14 Feb 44.