[Routine Order] APPENDIX "S"

Sunday, 27 February 1944 Other pp. 92

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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. & CPLS. 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) LT.COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Medical Intelligence (Typhoid & Sanitation):
* Context: The detailed warnings about Enteric Fevers (Typhoid & Paratyphoid) highlight the grim sanitary conditions in Southern Italy during 1944. The destruction of infrastructure and the "sea of mud" at Biferno created an ideal breeding ground for waterborne diseases.
* Dietary Restrictions: The ban on specific foods like "Salads, Watercress... and especially ices" was due to the use of untreated water or human waste fertilizer (night soil) in local agriculture. "Ices" (gelato) were a particular temptation for soldiers but a major vector for bacteria.
* "D.I.D.": Likely refers to the Detail Issue Depot or similar supply authority responsible for safe rations.
* T.A.B. Vaccine: A combined vaccine against Typhoid, Paratyphoid A, and Paratyphoid B. The order notes that previous inoculations made current cases "mild," proving the efficacy of the immunization program.
* Camp Hygiene (Wells):
* Forbidden Water: The strict prohibition on using "Wells in the camp area" suggests the local groundwater was contaminated. Given the mud and the need to dispose of "Faeces and urine" in field latrines, the risk of cross-contamination into shallow wells was extremely high.
* Personnel Groups:
* N.M.C. (Native Military Corps): The inclusion of "N.M.C." in the Paybook schedule (Para 70) refers to the Native Military Corps, a segregated unit of Black South African soldiers who served in non-combat support roles (drivers, guards, laborers). Their presence was vital to the logistics of the SAAF.
* Medical Administration:
* Yellow Fever: The requirement to check "Yellow Fever Inoculation Certificates" is interesting for the European theater. This was likely a standard requirement for all troops deploying from Africa or potentially transiting through tropical zones, maintaining readiness for redeployment.
* Dental Care:
* No. 3 (S.A.) Wing: The Dental Officer was a Wing-level asset, serving multiple squadrons. The limited "Urgent" hours (08:30–09:30) indicate a high caseload.
* Abbreviations:
* CPLS: Corporals.
* N.C.O's: Non-Commissioned Officers.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
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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.