[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 21/44 continued. — Orders & Appendices

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 21/44 continued.
PAGE THREE.
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para. 87. (e) Alternative and Other Landing Grounds: In view of the
almost universal use of R/T control on landing grounds, pilots will
endeavour to establishment contact with the Control on the landing
ground being used, before landing and any subsequent take-off. Should
the call sign of the landing ground be unknown, the word "Control" will
be used and the aircraft's position in relation to the landing ground
being called will be given in the call. Under no circumstances must
the name of the landing ground or adjacent town be used.
(Signature illegible)
LT. COL.
COMMANDING 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* Communication Protocols (R/T Control):
* Context: The order reflects the growing sophistication of Allied air traffic control in the Mediterranean theater by 1944. "R/T" (Radio Telephony/Voice) had become "almost universal," replacing older visual signals or Morse code for airfield management.
* Security vs. Functionality: The order reinforces the strict security protocols mentioned on the previous page. Even when landing at a strange or alternative airfield (e.g., diverting due to damage or weather), pilots were forbidden from using the "name of the landing ground or adjacent town" over the radio. This prevented German interceptors from identifying active Allied bases or plotting aircraft diversions. Instead, they had to use generic call signs or the universal identifier "Control."
* Command:
* The order is signed by the Lt. Col. Commanding, confirming Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C.'s authority over these standing orders.
* Abbreviations:
* R/T: Radio Telephony.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* Lt. Col.: Lieutenant Colonel.

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Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is dated 13th March 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 586) detailing a mission flown on March 13th, 1944.