[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 49/44 continued. PAGE TWO. — Orders & Appendices

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SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER No. 49/44 continued. PAGE TWO.
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Para. 185. MOTOR TRANSPORT VEHICLES - SUBSTITUTION OF THE TERMS RIGHT HAND
SIDE AND LEFT HAND SIDE FOR OFF-SIDE AND NEAR-SIDE.
(i) With effect from the date of this order, the use of the terms
off-side and near-side as applicable to M.T. vehicles are to be
discontinued.
The term "Right hand side" is substituted for British Off-side.
The term "Left hand side" is sunstituted for British Near-side.
NOTE:- The Right and Left hand side of the vehicle is as
viewed from the driver's seat facing forward.
(ii) All previous orders and instructions are to be amended to read
"Right hand side" or "Left hand side" where applicable. Future M.T.
orders and instructions issued by Formation Headquarters and Units
are to use the new terms.
(iii) Officers conducting Formal Investigations, Presiding on Courts
of Inquiry, or taking Summaries of Evidence are carefully to observe
the foregoing instruction and in addition are to ensure that evidence
is obtained as to whether the vehicles or vehicle concerned were
right or left hand drive. Vehicles will be referred to on Page 1
of Forms 2 thus:-
Left hand drive Fordson Utility No. RAF. 65823, or
Right hand drive Dodge 15-cwt. Tender No. RAF.8824.
(A.R.O. Serial 20. Para. 186. dd. 19.5.44)
Para. 186. BOUNDS.
All brothels are out of bounds to all ranks at all times.
All "Out of bounds" or "Off limits" notices, whether
erected by the R.A.F., Army, A.M.G.O.T. or U.S.A. Services are to be
strictly observed and personnel are not to enter any place in
contravention of any such notice except on duty.
(A.R.O. Serial 20. Para. 192. dd. 19.5.44)
Para. 187. PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE.
The following message from General the Hon. Sir H.R.L.G.
Alexander, K.C.B., C.S.I., D.S.O., M.C. Commander-in-Chief of the
Allied Forces in Italy is issued for the information and guidance
of all concerned:-
"Concern has been caused at home by reports of
damage done to property of historical and educational
importance in Italy.
When I received those reports I ordered a commission
to be set up to ascertain the truth in this matter. The
results of the commission's investigations show that these
reports of damage have been exaggerated, but at the same
time establishes that a certain amount of damage has been
done by thoughtlessness or carelessness, and even by a few
wilfully destructive individuals.
I wish to impress on all officers how vitally
necessary it is that the troops under their command behave
in a manner which safeguards the good name of our armies
and brings credit to their race.
As we advance further north we shell enter a part
of the country where art treasures and monuments are more
numerous, I therefore direct that every officer brings
continually to the notice of those serving under him our
responsibility and obligation to preserve and protect these
objects/

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* The "Monuments Men" Order (General Alexander):
* Context: Paragraph 187 contains a historic directive from General Sir Harold Alexander (Commander-in-Chief, Allied Armies in Italy). Written just before the capture of Rome (June 4, 1944) and the advance into Tuscany, this order addresses the growing political and cultural fallout from the destruction of Italian heritage (most notably the bombing of Monte Cassino in February/March, which Alexander himself authorized, though he frames current concerns as "thoughtlessness or carelessness" by troops).
* Significance: This text forms the operational backbone of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) program. Alexander explicitly links the preservation of art to the legitimacy of the Allied cause, stating that protecting these treasures "safeguards the good name of our armies." He foreshadows the campaign in Tuscany ("As we advance further north... art treasures and monuments are more numerous"), warning troops against looting or vandalism.
* Standardization of Language (Right vs. Off-Side):
* Linguistic Shift: Para 185 mandates a shift from traditional British equestrian/carriage terminology ("Near-side" for left, "Off-side" for right) to the more universal "Left hand side" and "Right hand side".
* Why Change? This change was driven by the massive influx of American vehicles (like the "Right hand drive Dodge" mentioned) into the theater. British vehicles were Right-Hand Drive (RHD), meaning the driver sat on the right, while American vehicles were Left-Hand Drive (LHD). The terms "Near-side" (the side one mounts a horse from, usually the left) became confusing and dangerous when mixed with international convoys and varying driver positions.
* Vice Control (Brothels):
* Health and Discipline: Para 186 bluntly declares: "All brothels are out of bounds to all ranks at all times.". While officially forbidden to control the rampant spread of venereal disease (VD), which decimated manpower, the enforcement of these bans was notoriously difficult in Italy. The order also recognizes the multi-national nature of the occupation, enforcing "Off limits" signs erected by "A.M.G.O.T." (Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories) or "U.S.A. Services."
* Abbreviations:
* M.T.: Mechanical Transport.
* A.R.O.: Army Routine Orders.
* A.M.G.O.T.: Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories.
* K.C.B.: Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.
* C.S.I.: Companion of the Order of the Star of India.
* D.S.O.: Distinguished Service Order.
* M.C.: Military Cross.
* cwt: Hundredweight (112 lbs); a "15-cwt" truck carries approx. 0.75 tons.

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Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is Page Three of SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 49/44 (continued from the previous two pages). While there is no specific "Date" column on this page, the order is a continuation of the set dated 28th May, 1944 (see Appendix TT / File 66). The text contains internal citations with dates such as 7.4.44, 13.5.44, and 11.5.44. It is labeled 278 in the top right corner.