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

Document

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS.
NO. 57/44.
21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
APPENDIX "X"
337
By
LT. COL. A.C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
18th June, 1944.
Para. 225. CENSORING OF MAIL - DUTY OFFICERS.
The undermentioned Officers will report to the
Assistant Adjutant for the above duty at 14.00 hours on
the dates set out opposite their names. Censoring will
take place in the R.S.M.'s. Tent near the Orderly Room.
P/O. D.A. Watkinson Monday 19th June, 1944.
Lieut. E.W. Andrews " "
Lieut. J.T. Ackermann Tuesday 20th June, 1944.
Lieut. O.C. Elliott " "
Lieut. J.C. Emslie Wednesday 21st June, 1944.
Lieut. C.H. MacKay " "
Lieut. J.J.P. Roos Thursday 22nd June, 1944.
Lieut. R.A. Smith " "
Lieut. H.P.S. Fairweather Friday 23rd June, 1944.
Lieut. T.R. Hindson " "
Lieut. A.J. Case Saturday 24th June, 1944.
Lieut. H.H. Kotzé " "
Lieut. A. McArevey Sunday 25th June, 1944.
2/ Lieut. W. MacDonald " "
Should an Officer be unable to report owing to
operations, he will notify the Assistant Adjutant before
his tour of duty is to commence and hand in the name of a
substitute. It will be his responsibility to obtain and
warn, the Officer who is taking his place.
(Signature illegible) LT. COL.
COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* The Censorship Roster (A "Who's Who" of June 1944):
* Routine vs. Reality: While these officers were tasked with the mundane duty of reading soldiers' mail to prevent security leaks ("Censoring will take place in the R.S.M.'s Tent"), this roster serves as a valuable census of the aircrews active during this specific week. Many of these names appear in combat reports from this period:
* Lieut. H.H. Kotzé: Frequently appears as a pilot in sortie reports.
* Lieut. T.R. Hindson: Another active pilot who flew numerous sorties during the advance on Ancona.
* Lieut. J.J.P. Roos: Likely the same Roos who appears in later operational summaries.
* Mixed Ranks (SAAF vs. RAF): The list includes "P/O. [Pilot Officer] D.A. Watkinson". The use of an RAF rank (Pilot Officer) amidst a list of SAAF Army ranks (Lieutenant) indicates that Watkinson was likely Royal Air Force personnel attached to the South African unit. This was common in the Mediterranean theater, where crews were often multinational.
* Operational Exemptions:
* "Owing to Operations": The order includes a standard caveat: "Should an Officer be unable to report owing to operations...". This highlights the priority of combat. If the weather cleared (which it did later in the week) and a mission was called, censorship duty was immediately secondary. However, the onus was placed on the officer to find his own substitute, adding a layer of personal responsibility to squadron administration.
* Abbreviations:
* R.S.M.: Regimental Sergeant Major.
* P/O.: Pilot Officer (RAF Rank).
* 2/ Lieut.: Second Lieutenant.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.

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Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is dated 20th June, 1944 in the "DATE" field. It is a Sortie Report (No. 727) labeled 338 in the top right corner.