[Routine Order] APPENDIX "T"

Sunday, 27 February 1944 Other pp. 93

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/269/2
APPENDIX "T"
93
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 17/44 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. 72. THIS UNIT IS DUTY SQUADRON FOR THE WEEK 28 FEB. TO 6 MAR. '44.
(a) Flare Path Crews will be detailed by the Engineer Officer.
Crews will be responsible for the efficient operation of
Electric Flare Path and Chance Light when necessary.
In the event of the Electric Flare Path becoming unserviceable
the Duty Officer will arrange for a "Gooseneck" flare path to be laid on.
A Double Flare path will be used, provided the equipment is available.
The Flare Path will be at least 1400 yards long.
The removal of the Flare Path and Chance Light will be the
responsibility of the Crew before flying operations commence the follow-
ing day.
Crews will be available at any time during the night and will
on no account leave the aerodrome until relieved. They will sleep in the
E.P.I.P. Tent provided.
(b) Duty Officers will be responsible for organisation of the Crews.
(c) Electricians, will be detailed for duty by the Engineer Officer.
(c) Fire Tender Crews will be detailed for duty by the Engineer
Officer.
The Fire Tender will be parked near Flying Control and the Crew
will be in attendance throughout the day.
The R.S.M. will be responsible to see that the Crew is fully
conversant in operating the Fire Tender and will carry out a practice
once a day.
(d) Duty M.T. Drivers will be detailed by the Transport Officer.
A Duty Truck and driver will be available for marshalling
purposes, and will be directed by the Duty Officer.
(e) Duty Officers:
Flight Commanders will detail and instruct Duty
Officers with regard to their tour of duty and their duties. Duty officers
will be either Pilots or Observers and will certify that they have read
and understand the orders laying down the duties of Airfield Control
Officers which will be kept in the Ops Room.
Breakfast will be laid on for 06.45 hrs for details on duty.
The midday meal will be sent to the Aerodrome. Details on night duty will
have their evening meal at 17.15 hrs.
Transport will depart at 07.15 hrs in the morning and 17.45 hrs
in the evening.
(Signature illegible) LT. COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes:
* Operational Context ("Duty Squadron"):
* Shared Airfield: The order designating 21 Squadron as the "Duty Squadron" for the week indicates that Biferno (Campomarino) was a shared airfield housing multiple units (likely comprising No. 3 SAAF Wing). The squadrons rotated responsibility for airfield management (lighting, fire rescue, marshalling).
* Flare Path: This system provided runway lighting for night operations or low-visibility landings. The length ("at least 1400 yards") indicates the prepared strip size for the Baltimores.
* "Gooseneck" Flare Path: A backup system consisting of simple oil-burning lamps (shaped like a teapot/gooseneck) placed along the runway edge. They were reliable but required manual lighting and extinguishing.
* Chance Light: A powerful mobile floodlight used to illuminate the runway threshold for landing aircraft. It was a critical aid for pilots landing tail-dragger aircraft like the Baltimore at night on unpaved strips.
* E.P.I.P. Tent: European Personnel Improved Privacy (or Indian Pattern) Tent. A large, heavy canvas marquee tent commonly used for mess halls or communal sleeping quarters.
* Safety & Rescue:
* Fire Tender: The requirement for daily practice ("carry out a practice once a day") highlights the constant danger of crash landings and fuel fires, especially with fully loaded bombers taking off from temporary steel-plank runways.
* R.S.M.: Regimental Sergeant Major.
* Logistics:
* Marshalling: The "Duty Truck" was used to guide taxiing aircraft ("marshalling purposes") to their dispersals, essential in the mud and chaos of a busy tactical airfield.
* Messing: The specific meal times (Breakfast 06:45, Evening Meal 17:15) show the rhythm of operational life, designed to feed crews before the day's flying began and after the sun went down. The midday meal being "sent to the Aerodrome" implies that ground crews and duty officers could not leave their posts to go to the mess tent.

125
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is an "APPENDIX 'U'" Operational Report (OPREP) for Sortie No. 567. The date in the header is 28 Feb 44.