[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 31/44 continued. — Orders & Appendices

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SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 31/44 continued.
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Para. 113. EXCHANGING OF RATIONS.
It has been observed that certain units have
developed the practice of exchanging Field Service Rations
for other commodities from outside sources. This practice
is highly irregular and must cease forthwith. Invariably
the exchange has been proved to the detriment of the Units
effecting the exchange.
(C.R.O. Serial No.20 para.10 d.d. 23.3.44).
Para. 114. CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF, DAMAGE TO, OR ABSTRACTION FROM REGISTERED POSTAL ARTICLES.
Addressees of registered articles must open them
in the presence of the unit postal N.C.O. Any loss not then
detected cannot subsequently be recognised as grounds for
compensation. Addressees must be advised of this requirement.
G.R.O. Serial No.83 para.112(c) d.d.11.3.44).
Para. 115. PURCHASE OF FOODSTUFFS BY THE ALLIED FORCES IN ITALY.
* The purchase of the following items is specifically
forbidden:-
(a). Fish.
(b). Eggs (except in areas mentioned in para.2).
(c). Poultry.
(d). Meat.
(e). Livestock generally.
(f). Potatoes.
EXCEPT :- (1) by official purchasing agents for issue as
part of an authorised ration scale, including
issue to military hospitals,
and (11) by recognised Welfare Organisations, and then
only after application for permission to
purchase has been made to Army, District or
Base Section H.Q., whichever is controlling
the area in question. The H.Q. referred to
may grant the application after consultation
with its AMG adviser, fixing a limit to the
quantities which may be bought. Individuals
and messes may purchase these
items from an authorised Welfare organisation,
but not direct from civilians.
* Eggs may be purchased by individuals and messes in
the following areas only :-
(a). Termoli - Campobasso - Foggia.
(b). In Army areas at the discretion of Army
Commanders after consultation with their AMG
advisers.
The maximum price to be paid is 16 lire per egg.
* All restaurants and eating houses will be put out of
bounds to all officers and men of the Allied Forces, with the
following exceptions :-
(a). Clubs, restaurants, etc. organised and contr-
olled by the Allied Forces themselves.
(b). Cafes, etc. where no foodstuffs are sold.
(A.R.O. Serial No.12 para.101 d.d. 24.3.44).
Para. 116. BOUNDS - PETACCIATO.
Owing to an outbreak of typhoid fever all restaur-
ants, wine shops and cafes in the village of PETACCIATO are
placed out of bounds until further notice.
(A.R.O. Serial No.12 para.102 d.d. 24.3.44).
(Signature illegible) LT. COL.
COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* The Black Market & Rationing (Economic Warfare):
* Exchanging Rations: Paragraph 113 cracks down on troops trading "Field Service Rations for other commodities". In a starving, war-torn Italy, military rations (corned beef, biscuits, cigarettes) were a hard currency more valuable than the inflated Lira. Soldiers often swapped these for fresh produce, wine, or services. The command opposed this because it depleted unit stocks and often resulted in unfair trades ("detriment of the Units").
* The Food Ban: Paragraph 115 is a harsh economic control measure. It forbids purchasing Fish, Eggs, Poultry, Meat, Livestock, and Potatoes directly from civilians. This was designed to prevent the wealthy Allied army from stripping the local countryside bare, which would cause famine and hyperinflation for the Italian civilian population.
* The Egg Exception: A fascinating exception is made for eggs in the "Termoli - Campobasso - Foggia" area, where "Eggs may be purchased" but with a strict price cap: "The maximum price to be paid is 16 lire per egg". This specific price control was an attempt to curb the runaway inflation caused by soldiers paying exorbitant prices for fresh breakfast.
* Health & Disease (Typhoid at Petacciato):
* Outbreak: Paragraph 116 declares the village of Petacciato (located on the coast north of Termoli) "out of bounds" due to an "outbreak of typhoid fever". Typhoid, spread by contaminated food and water, was a constant killer in the unsanitary conditions of the Italian campaign. Banning troops from local "restaurants, wine shops and cafes" was a standard quarantine measure to protect the force's combat effectiveness.
* Postal Security:
* Theft: Paragraph 114 addresses "Abstraction" (theft) from registered mail. The requirement to open parcels in front of a "postal N.C.O." highlights the rampant problem of mail theft within the logistics chain. If the package wasn't verified immediately upon receipt, the soldier lost their right to complain.
* Civil-Military Relations:
* The mention of AMG (Allied Military Government) advisers in Para 115 shows the complex layer of bureaucracy managing the occupation. Military commanders couldn't just make decisions about local food supplies; they had to consult the civil affairs officers to balance troop needs with the survival of the Italian population.
* Abbreviations:
* C.R.O.: Command Routine Orders.
* G.R.O.: General Routine Orders.
* A.R.O.: Army Routine Orders (or Air Routine Orders).
* A.M.G.: Allied Military Government (The administration governing occupied territories).
* d.d.: dated.
* N.C.O.: Non-Commissioned Officer.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.

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Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is titled "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 32/44" and is dated 10th April, 1944. It is marked as APPENDIX "J".