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

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/269/2
APPENDIX "P"
87
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS No. 12/44. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
By
LT. COL. A.C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
22nd February, 1944.
Para. 51. CENSORING OF MAIL : DUTY OFFICERS.
The undermentioned Officers will report to the
Assistant Adjutant for the above duty at 14.00 hours on
the dates set out opposite their names.
Lieut. P.W. Frost. Tuesday 22. 2. 44.
Lieut. J.H. v.d. Merwe. " "
Lieut. O. Greder. Wednesday 23. 2. 44.
Lieut. C. van Schalkwyk. " "
Lieut. J.C. Harle. Thursday 24. 2. 44.
Lieut. W.S. Walters. " "
Lieut. N.S. Hewitt. Friday 25. 2. 44.
Lieut. J.K. du Preez. " "
Lieut. G.W. Hill. Saturday 26. 2. 44.
Lieut. C. Meltz. " "
Lieut. S.R. Hodges. Sunday 27. 2. 44.
Lieut. C. Strydom. " "
Should an Officer be unable to report owing to
operations, he will notify the Assistant Adjutant before
his tour of duty is to commence and hand in the name of a
substitute. It will be his responsibility to obtain, and
warn, the Officer who is taking his place.
Para. 52. M.T. VEHICLES.
Traffic is not to proceed further than the
entrance to the Camp. This applies to all vehicles with
the exception of the Water and Ration Truck.
Para. 53. CONTACT LETTER No. 15. (extract).
I have followed up with the C.G.S., Pretoria,
the protest which Mr. Harry Welsh, Chief Defence Force
Liason Officer, Johannesburg, recently lodged in the Union
regarding "plums" in the way of jobs being given to "stay-
at-homes" whilst men on active service are neglected and
I have pointed out that particularly civil servants and R
& H employees feel, rightly or wrongly, that they are being
penalised in the matter of promotions by being on active
service. The following signal regarding the position in
the Public Services has just been received from C.G.S. and
Commanding Officers are authorised to pass the information
on :-
FIELD MARSHAL SMUTS DIRECTS THAT YOU BE INFORMED THAT NO
PERMANENT APPOINTMENTS MADE IN UNION AND SUCH APPOINTMENTS
STAND ONLY TILL AFTER THE WAR FOR ALL TO HAVE EQUAL CHANCE.
(Contact Letter No. 15, para. 2. d.d. 31.1.44).
Para. 54. PHOTOGRAPHS AND FILMS TAKEN BY TROOPS.
There is apparently still some confusion in the
minds of many Troops regarding the forwarding of photographs
and films to South Africa. The correct procedure is as
follows:-
If the photographs are intended for publication
in the Press, they should be submitted through Os.C. Units,
Para. 54/ continued Page 2.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Political Context - The "Stay-at-Homes" Controversy (Para. 53):
* The Issue: This paragraph addresses a deep-seated grievance among South African troops fighting "Up North" (Italy/North Africa). They feared that while they were risking their lives, the "plums" (lucrative jobs and promotions) back in South Africa ("the Union") were being taken by those who had refused to volunteer or remained in safe administrative roles ("stay-at-homes").
* "R & H employees": Railways and Harbours employees. A massive state employer in South Africa; many railwaymen volunteered, and their seniority upon return was a major concern.
* Harry Welsh: The Chief Defence Force Liaison Officer who championed the soldiers' cause.
* Field Marshal Smuts' Directive: The intervention by General Jan Smuts (Prime Minister and C-in-C) was significant. His order that no permanent appointments would be valid until after the war was intended to boost morale by assuring the troops that the job market would remain meritocratic and open to them upon their return.
* Camp Logistics (Para. 52):
* Vehicle Ban: The strict order banning traffic beyond the camp entrance (except for Water and Rations) likely reflects the conditions at the new Biferno camp. As noted in the diary on Feb 18th ("sea of mud"), the ground was likely too soft to support heavy traffic, and rutting would turn the camp into a quagmire.
* Personnel on Duty:
* Lieut. S.R. Hodges: Listed for duty on Feb 27th. Interestingly, the diary entry for Feb 24th/25th notes that "Lieut. Hodges" was R.T.U. (Returned to Union) and left for Bari. This suggests the roster was drawn up before his repatriation orders were finalized or arrived unexpectedly.
* Lieut. C. Meltz: Often seen as an Observer.
* Lieut. O. Greder: A pilot frequently listed in Sortie Reports (e.g., Aircraft 383W on Feb 8th).

119
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is the continuation page ("PACE TWO") of Squadron Routine Order No. 12/44. The date referenced in the first paragraph's citation is 31.1.44, and the previous page of this order (Appendix P) was dated 22nd February, 1944.