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

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/269/2
APPENDIX "S"
92
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. NO. 16/44. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
By
LT. COL. A. C. JANDRELL. D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
27th February, 1944.
Para. 68. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST ENTERIC (TYPHOID & PARA-TYPHOID FEVERS).
The Enteric Fevers are ever present in Italy, and, isolated
cases are occurring amongst service personnel due to neglect of the
following precautions.
(i) Salads, Watercress, uncooked fruit (with the exception of only
thick unbroken skinned fruit), shellfish, and especially ices, butter,
milk, and soft drinks should not be consumed unless issued by the D.I.D.
(ii) All drinking water and water used for cleaning teeth must be
purified.
(iii) Food must be adequately protected from dust, flies and other
insects.
(iv) Faeces and urine must be disposed of in such a manner that
denies the access of flies, and does not allow fly breeding.
(v) All personnel should have their immunity to the diseases
increased by inoculation with T.A.B. Vaccine.
2. The cases which have occurred have been due to consumption of
food in Italian households with whom airmen have been billeted, and to
the drinking of untreated water. All have been inoculated with T.A.B.
vaccine within the past twelve months and consequently the disease was
mild.
Para. 69. WELLS.
The drawing of water from the Wells in the camp area is
strictly forbidden.
Containers will be filled (drinking or washing water) at water
points in the morning.
Para. 70. PAYBOOKS & YELLOW FEVER INOCULATION CERTIFICATES.
Paybooks and Yellow Fever Inoculation Certificates must be
handed in to the Medical Officer on the dates stated hereunder:
OFFICERS Wednesday, 1. 3. 44.
SENIOR N.C.O's. Thursday. 2. 3. 44.
AIRMEN. & GAS. Friday. 3. 3. 44.
N. M. C. Sunday, 5. 3. 44.
Para. 71. DENTAL.
Urgent Dental cases must report to the Dental Officer, No. 3.
(S.A.) Wing between 08.30 hrs and 09.30 hrs daily. Other cases must make
appointments through the Orderly Room as formerly.
(Signature illegible) LT.COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Medical & Hygiene Context:
* Enteric Fevers (Typhoid): The detailed warning about "Salads, Watercress... and especially ices" reflects the severe breakdown of sanitation infrastructure in Italy during the war. Typhoid was endemic, and the "isolated cases" mentioned were likely contracted from fraternizing with locals ("consumption of food in Italian households").
* T.A.B. Vaccine: Refers to the combined vaccine for Typhoid, Paratyphoid A, and Paratyphoid B. The order notes that vaccination made the disease "mild" but did not prevent it entirely if hygiene was neglected.
* D.I.D.: Detail Issue Depot (Supply depot).
* Personnel Classifications:
* N.M.C. (Native Military Corps): This abbreviation refers to black South African soldiers who served in the Union Defence Force. Due to the apartheid-era policies of the time, they were officially non-combatants (serving as drivers, guards, cooks, and stretcher-bearers) and were segregated administratively, as shown by their separate reporting date (Sunday, 5.3.44) compared to "Airmen & GAS" (Ground Air Staff / Gunners).
* Yellow Fever Certificates: The requirement to check Yellow Fever inoculation status suggests administrative preparation for personnel movement. Since Yellow Fever is not present in Italy, this was likely a requirement for transit through Africa (where the disease is endemic) for rotation home or to other theaters.
* Unit Structure:
* No. 3 (S.A.) Wing: The reference to the "Dental Officer, No. 3 (S.A.) Wing" confirms 21 Squadron's subordination to this tactical wing, which provided centralized medical and administrative support to its component squadrons (12, 21, 24 SAAF).
* Local Conditions:
* Wells Forbidden: The strict ban on drawing water from local wells ("Para. 69") was a direct response to the typhoid threat, as groundwater in the rural areas around Campomarino was often contaminated by sewage and agricultural runoff.

124
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'T'" containing "Squadron Routine Orders No. 17/44". The date in the header is 27th February, 1944.