[Routine Order] APPENDIX "C" — Orders & Appendices

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/269/2
APPENDIX "C"
73
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. NO. 7/44. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
By
LT. COL. A.C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
3rd February, 1944.
Para. 35. CREW TENT (previously Flight Tent)
The Old Flight Tent is now available as a Crew Room.
Personal clothing can be left there during standby or
during an "Op". The Operations Room is not to be used as
a Crew Room.
Para. 36. PARACHUTE HUT.
The parachute racks are in the Nissen hut. Aircrews
must use the racks and pegs allotted to them, and on no
account are Parachutes and Mae Wests to be left in the
Operations Room.
When on standby, parachutes and Mae Wests are not to
be taken into the Crew Tent, or left on the ground, but
are to remain in the racks or in the Ops. trucks.
SMOKING IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN in the Parachute Hut.
Para 37. M.T.
The attention of ALL RANKS is directed to the follow-
ing instructions when operating Dodge self starters :
Depress starter pedal firmly until engine starts.
Then disengage immediately, if a second application of
starter is necessary the Driver must wait until the starter
motor has stopped spinning before engaging again.
Para. 38. PAY BOOKS.
Officers and Other Ranks who have not yet handed in
their Pay Books for Audit must do so IMMEDIATELY, to the
Pay Office.
(Signature) LT. COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Camp Life & Discipline:
* Crew Tent vs. Ops Room: The order distinguishing the "Crew Tent" from the "Operations Room" highlights a common friction point in bomber squadrons. Aircrews waiting for missions often loitered in the Ops Room (where the maps and intelligence officers were), creating noise and clutter. This order strictly segregates the social/waiting area ("Crew Room") from the tactical nerve center ("Operations Room").
* Parachute Care: The strict rules regarding "Mae Wests" (inflatable life vests, named after the buxom actress) and parachutes reflect the high value of survival gear. Leaving silk parachutes on the damp ground in a muddy Italian winter would ruin them. The ban on smoking in the Parachute Hut was critical, as silk and packing materials were highly flammable.
* Technical Instructions (M.T.):
* "Dodge self starters": The specific instruction for starting Dodge trucks (likely the ubiquitous Dodge WC series ) reveals the mechanical quirks of wartime vehicles. The starter pedal physically engaged the starter motor gear; pressing it while the engine or starter was still spinning would grind the gears, potentially disabling the vehicle—a major issue when transport was already scarce.
* Command:
* Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C.: This is one of the first Routine Orders issued under the new Commanding Officer, who took over on February 1st. He is establishing his standards early regarding camp discipline and equipment care.
* Housing:
* Nissen Hut: The mention of a "Nissen hut" for parachute storage indicates that even at the "canvas city" of Tortorella, some semi-permanent corrugated steel structures had been erected for critical storage, providing better weather protection than tents.

23
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'D'" Sortie Report. The date in the header is 4 Feb 44.