[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 15/44. continuod. 91 — Orders & Appendices

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SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 15/44. continuod. 91
PAGE TWO.
Para. 64. GENERAL SERVICE OATH (Continued)
313762V. A/M. Virot W. F. 313432V. A/M. Zandberg. G. T.
207887V. A/M. Wilson. R. J.
Para. 65. DISCIPLINE - CARRYING OF BOTTLES OF WINE WHEN WALKING OUT.
It has come to notice that a large number of airmen in Italy
are walking about with bottles of wine in their possession.
Personnel when walking out are forbidden to carry wine in
bottles.
Para. 66. PAY PARADE :
A Pay Parade will be held on Tuesday next, 29th February, '44
at the various messes as under:
AIRMENS' MESS :
Airmen and Corporals. from 09.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs.
SERGEANTS' MESS:
Senior N.C.O's. from 14.00 hrs to 15.00 hrs.
OFFICERS' MESS:
Officers. from 15.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs.
Para. 67. WATER :
Water Cans will only be filled in the mornings at the recognised
Water Points.
(Signature) (Illegible) LT.COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
N O T I C E S.
CATHOLIC SERVICE:
Campomarino is out of bounds, but R. C's will be permitted to
attend Mass in the local Church to-morrow, Sunday, 27th February,'44 at
10.00. hours. Details are to return to the Camp after the service.
CHURCH SERVICE:
A Service for All will be held in the Airmens' Mess to-morrow,
Sunday, 27th February, '44 at 19.15 hours.
LIBRARY:
The Library in the Airmens' Mess will open daily, with the
exception of Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 18:30 to 19.15 hours.
MISSING KIT:
Anyone in possession of or having any information which might
lead to the recovery of a Tin Trunk and Gas Mask labelled "F/Sgt. Geldenhuys"
please report to the Orderly Room immediately.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Date Context (Leap Year):
* February 29th: The mention of a Pay Parade on "Tuesday next, 29th February, '44" confirms that 1944 was a leap year. This extra day in February was a busy administrative day for the squadron.
* Discipline & Morale (The Wine Bottles):
* "Walking about with bottles of wine": This specific prohibition paints a vivid picture of the soldiers' downtime. In the wine-rich region of Molise, cheap local wine was readily available. Soldiers carrying bottles openly ("walking out") was seen as "slovenly" or undisciplined by the command, leading to this order forbidding it. They were likely expected to consume it in the mess or their tents, not roam the countryside with open containers.
* Camp Logistics (Water Rationing):
* "Water Points": The restriction that water cans could only be filled in the mornings suggests limited water supply or pressure at the new Biferno camp. Water had to be trucked in or pumped from specific points, and strict hours ensured the supply lasted through the day for the cookhouses.
* Religious Accommodation:
* Campomarino Exception: While the previous page declared Campomarino "Out of Bounds" to prevent trouble, this notice grants a specific exception for Roman Catholics (R.C's) to attend Mass in the local church. This shows a pragmatic respect for religious observance over strict security protocols, though they had to return "after the service" immediately.
* Lost Property:
* F/Sgt. Geldenhuys: The notice for the missing "Tin Trunk and Gas Mask" belongs to F/Sgt J.W. Geldenhuys (Gunner), whose name appeared on the General Service Oath list on the previous page. Losing a gas mask was a chargeable offense, and a "Tin Trunk" would have contained all his personal possessions—a significant loss in a muddy field camp.
* Abbreviations:
* R.C's: Roman Catholics.
* N.C.O's: Non-Commissioned Officers.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.

47
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'S'" containing "Squadron Routine Orders No. 16/44". The date in the header is 27th February, 1944.