[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 27/44 — Orders & Appendices

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 27/44
21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F.
By
LT. COL. A. C. JANDRELL. D.F.C.
Officer Commanding.
21 Squadron. S.A.A.F.
29th MARCH, 1944.
Para. 103. D.A.F. MALCOLM CLUB, VASTO.
The D.A.F. Malcolm Club which is now situated at Vasto has been
open for over a month and it is desired to set out in more detail than
heretofore, the various amenities which are available.
Tea and Cakes. 10.00 - 11.00
Bar Open. 11.30 - 12.30
Lunches. 12.00 - 14.00
Teas. 15.30 - 17.00
Supper. 17.00 - 19.00
Bar Open. 18.30 - 19.00
As the days grow longer it is intended to keep the Club open
later during the evenings. It is hoped to supply entertainment during
the evenings, and Units are invited to provide bands and Concert Parties
at different times. It is felt that the Club would prove even more
popular if some organised entertainment could be given several evenings
a week.
The R. A. F. Mobile Bath Unit is adjacent to the Club, and this
provides an added attraction.
Para. 104. OUT OF BOUNDS : ORDERLY ROOM.
It is again pointed out that the Orderly Room is strictly OUT
OF BOUNDS at all times to ALL RANKS except in the performance of their
duty.
(Signature illegible)
for LT. COL.
COMMANDING. 21 SQUADRON. S.A.A.F.
N O T I C E S.
CONCERT PARTY : "BOOMERANGS"
The South African Concert Party the "Boomerangs" is giving a Show in Termoli
to-morrow, Thursday, 30th March at 14.30 hours. 70 Seats are available for
GROUND CREW ONLY of this Squadron. Transport will leave the Orderly Room at 13.30 hrs.
The Concert Party will also give a Show to-morrow evening at 18.30 hours.
70 Seats are available for AIRCREWS ONLY. Transport will leave the Orderly Room at
17.30 hours.
Personnel wishing to attend the above Shows are to obtain tickets from the
Orderly Room.
On Thursday, 6th April their will be repeat performances. 70 Seats will be
available for GROUND CREW ONLY for the afternoon performance and 30 Seats for AIRCREW
and 40 Seats for GROUND CREW for the evening performance. Tickets will be available
at the Orderly Room on Wednesday next, 5th April.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* Welfare and Morale (The Malcolm Club):
* Institution: The Malcolm Club mentioned in Para 103 was a famous institution in the Mediterranean theater. Named after Wing Commander Hugh Malcolm, the first Royal Air Force VC winner in North Africa (posthumous), these clubs were non-profit canteens run specifically for airmen to relax. They were known for being more welcoming and comfortable than the standard NAAFI canteens.
* Location: The club is located in Vasto, a town on the Adriatic coast north of Termoli. The mention of Vasto indicates the Allied rear areas were expanding northward as the front line inched up the peninsula.
* Amenities: The schedule lists distinct times for "Tea and Cakes," "Bar Open," and "Supper," reflecting the British military rhythm of the day. The note about the "R. A. F. Mobile Bath Unit" being adjacent highlights the luxury of hot water and proper bathing facilities in a field environment.
* Entertainment (The "Boomerangs"):
* Concert Party: The notice section details a visit by "The South African Concert Party the 'Boomerangs'". Concert parties were traveling troupes of entertainers (often soldiers themselves) who performed comedy, music, and skits.
* Segregation of Duties: The shows were strictly segregated by role to manage the shift work of an active bomber squadron: "GROUND CREW ONLY" for the afternoon matinee (14:30) and "AIRCREWS ONLY" for the evening show (18:30). This ensured that aircrews, who often flew morning sorties, could rest before the evening entertainment, while ground crews, who worked on aircraft in the evening to prep for the next day, could attend the afternoon show.
* Discipline (Orderly Room):
* Para 104 reinforces that the Orderly Room (the administrative center of the squadron) was "OUT OF BOUNDS". This was a common standing order to prevent soldiers from loitering where sensitive paperwork, personnel files, and operational orders were processed.
* Abbreviations:
* D.A.F.: Desert Air Force.
* R.A.F.: Royal Air Force.
* Lt. Col.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.

71
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is dated 29th March 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 609) detailing a mission flown on March 29th, 1944.