[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. — Orders & Appendices

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SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS.
NO. 56/44.
21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
APPENDIX "W"
334
By
LT. COL. A. C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
17th June, 1944.
Para. 219. MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION.
The following messages of congratulation have been
received :-
From General Eisenhower : "The Battle which commenced on 12th
May in Italy has advanced to the point where it is, by itself,
a first class major Allied Victory. All officers and enlisted
personnel of each nationality participating may feel proud of
the service rendered the common cause by them. This entire
Command is assuredly proud of their accomplishments".
From General Alexander : "On the brilliant victory just
gained by our combined arms, I take this opportunity of extend-
ing to all ranks of the Tactical Air Force my deep gratitude,
thanks and congratulations for the signal service you have
rendered to the troops under my command. Without you we could
not have done it. With you we will go forward to still greater
success."
From Lieutenant General Mark Clark, Commanding 5th Army, to
Commanding General M.A.T.A.F. : "I desire to express to you
the admiration and appreciation of the Fifth Army for the
magnificent air support received by us during the entire
offensive which culminated in the liberation of Rome, destroy-
ing so much of the troops and material of the enemy. To my
mind, this has proved a demonstration of support by Air to
the Ground Forces which approaches perfection. All units of
your Command which had a part in these operations gave at all
times instant response to each of our calls for assistance
with effective and immediate results, causing great damage to
the troops and supply lines of the enemy. The splendid
aggressive action of Air Units supporting the Fifth Army
permitted us to demonstrate before the enemy how irresistible
an Air-Ground Combination can be made."
(A.R.O. Serial 23 para. 220 d.d. 9.6.44).
Para. 220 BOUNDS.
In accordance with instructions received from the
Chief of the General Staff Rome will be out of bounds to all
ranks until further notice.
(Extract FHQ/S/1002/26/ Org. d.d. 6.5.44).
Para. 221 ENDORSEMENT OF ENVELOPES.
Squadron Routine Order No. 41/44 para. 159 is
repeated for information :
All ranks will in future endorse the seals of all
personal postage packets and letters with their number, rank
and name followed by S.A.A.F. Nothing else must be added.
For example : No. 58490V. A/Sgt. Sox A.I.V., S.A.A.F.
(W.H. R.O. 22/44, para. 86 d.d. 9.5.44).
Para. 222 DELIVERY OF CORRESPONDENCE FOR PERSONNEL EVACUATED SICK OR
WOUNDED.
Squadron Routine Order No. 34/44 para. 135 is
repeated for information :
Before personnel proceed to Hospital they must
collect from the M.O. 4 Hospital Admission Cards. One of
these cards is to be completed and posted whenever a patient
is admitted or discharged from a Stationary or General Hospital.
(Extract S.A. APO Instruction U/APO/50/M d.d. 9.3.44).

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* Victory Messages (The Fall of Rome & Operation Diadem):
* Context: This order disseminates high-level praise for the successful conclusion of the offensive that began on May 12th, 1944 (Operation Diadem). This offensive broke the stalemate at Monte Cassino and the Gustav Line, leading directly to the liberation of Rome on June 4th, 1944.
* The Generals: The messages come from the "Big Three" of the theater command:
* General Dwight D. Eisenhower: Supreme Allied Commander (though by June 1944 he was focused on Normandy, this message likely refers to the strategic success of tying down German forces).
* General Harold Alexander: Commander-in-Chief of Allied Armies in Italy (AAI). His admission—"Without you we could not have done it"—acknowledges the decisive role of air superiority in cutting German supply lines (interdiction), which 21 Squadron participated in daily.
* Lt. General Mark Clark: Commander of the US Fifth Army. Known for his publicity-seeking nature, his message emphasizes the "liberation of Rome" (his personal prize) and praises the "Air-Ground Combination" as "approaching perfection." This refers to Operation Strangle and the subsequent tactical support that crippled German mobility.
* Rome: The Forbidden City (Again):
* Reiteration: Paragraph 220 repeats the order that "Rome will be out of bounds to all ranks until further notice.". Despite the celebratory messages about liberating the city, the reality for the troops was that they were barred from entering. This was to prevent looting, overcrowding, and friction with civilians, and to keep the roads clear for military traffic chasing the retreating Germans north.
* Postal Security (Identity):
* S.A.A.F. Identity: The order on endorsing envelopes requires adding "S.A.A.F." after the name. This seemingly minor detail reinforces the unit's national identity distinct from the British RAF, a point of pride and policy for the Union Defence Force.
* "A/Sgt. Sox A.I.V.": The example name given is "A/Sgt. Sox A.I.V." This is likely a fictional placeholder (like "John Doe"), but "Sox" is a quintessentially South African nickname.
* Medical Logistics:
* Hospital Cards: The requirement for sick personnel to carry "4 Hospital Admission Cards" ensures they can notify their unit of their status. In the chaos of war, soldiers evacuated to rear-area hospitals often "disappeared" from their unit's roster for weeks. These postcards were the primary means of tracking casualties.
* Abbreviations:
* M.A.T.A.F.: Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force.
* A.R.O.: Administrative Routine Order.
* d.d.: dated.
* FHQ: Force Headquarters.
* W.H. R.O.: Wing Headquarters Routine Order (likely).
* M.O.: Medical Officer.
* S.A. APO: South African Army Post Office.
* A/Sgt: Acting Sergeant.

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Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is Squadron Routine Orders No. 56/44 continued, labeled PAGE TWO and 335. It is an appendix page and does not contain a standard "Date" column like the diary entries. However, it is a continuation of the order dated 17th June, 1944 (see previous file).