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

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/269/2
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 15/44. continued. 91
PAGE TWO.
Para. 64. GENERAL SERVICE OATH (Continued)
313762V. A/M. Viret 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) 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 Airmons' Mess to-morrow,
Sunday, 27th February, '44 at 19.15 hours.
LIBRARY:
The Library in the Airmans' 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:
* Discipline (Para 65 - Wine Bottles):
* "Walking Out": This military term refers to off-duty soldiers leaving camp to visit local towns. The order forbidding the carrying of wine bottles suggests that public drunkenness or the visibly "slovenly" appearance of troops carrying alcohol was becoming a disciplinary issue with the local Italian population or Allied command. It reflects the abundance of cheap wine in Italy compared to the desert campaigns.
* Logistics (Para 67 - Water):
* "Recognised Water Points": In the field, water supply was strictly controlled to prevent dysentery and typhoid. Soldiers filled "jerry cans" or water bottles from tested and treated sources. Restricting filling times to "mornings" suggests rationing or pressure on the water purification units.
* Religious Observance:
* "Campomarino is out of bounds": This reiterates the restriction from the previous page (Para 63). However, the exception made for R.C's (Roman Catholics) to attend Mass in the local church shows a pragmatic approach to religious freedom, allowing soldiers to bypass the ban for spiritual duties.
* "Service for All": Likely a Protestant or non-denominational service held in the mess tent.
* Personnel:
* F/Sgt. Geldenhuys (Missing Kit): The notice for the missing "Tin Trunk and Gas Mask" belongs to Flight Sergeant J.W. Geldenhuys, whose name appears in the General Service Oath list on the previous page and in numerous Sortie Reports (e.g., Feb 8th). Losing a gas mask was a serious offense (charged against the soldier's pay), hence the public plea for its return.
* A/M Viret & Zandberg: Air Mechanics listed under the "General Service Oath" completion.
* Social History:
* Library: The existence of a library in the "Airmans' Mess" (open daily except Wed/Sat) indicates the efforts made to provide recreation and maintain morale in the mud of Biferno. Books were often supplied by charitable organizations like the Red Cross or the South African Gifts & Comforts Fund.

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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.