[Routine Order] APPENDIX "BB"

Thursday, 20 July 1944 Other pp. 57

Document

APPENDIX "BB"
57
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. NO. 69/44 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
BY
LT. COL. A.C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
20th July, 1944.
Para. 260. COURT OF INQUIRY.
A Court of Inquiry, constituted as hereunder will
assemble at a time and place to be decided on by the President
to investigate and report on the circumstances under which
aircraft Baltimore No. F.A. 469 was damaged in the field on
13th June, 1944.
Constitution :
President : Major J.H. Mowbray No. 203401V.
Member : Lieut. C. v. Trotsenburg No. 542506V.
Witnesses and Evidence
The President will direct all witnesses to attend and
evidence will be given on oath.
Terms of Reference.
(a) Full particulars of the occurrence.
(b) Whether any person was directly or indirectly to
blame.
(c) Whether the occurrence was due to negligence or
irregularity or lack of discipline on the part of
any person.
(d) The extent of damage to Aircraft Baltimore No. F.A.
469.
(e) The cause, if it can be ascertained, of the
occurrence.
Opinion.
The Court is to record :
(1) Its findings,
(2) Extent of damage to Aircraft,
(3) Its opinion of the cause of the occurrence and
(4) Its recommendations, if any.
R.P. 125 and 125 A. I.D.C. to be complied with.
Proceedings.
The proceedings of the Court will be forwarded to the
Officer Commanding, No. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. as soon as
possible.
[Signed] R Alexander Capt for LT. COL.
COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* Accident Investigation (Baltimore FA 469):
* Delayed Inquiry: This order convenes a formal Court of Inquiry for an incident that occurred over a month prior, on 13th June, 1944.. The Baltimore (serial number FA 469) was "damaged in the field," a phrase often indicating a ground-handling accident, a landing mishap on a rough forward airstrip, or damage sustained while parked during a Luftwaffe "nuisance" raid.
* Technical Context: The Martin Baltimore was a high-performance light bomber, but it was notoriously "unforgiving" on the ground. Its narrow landing gear made it prone to "ground loops" (sudden, uncontrollable swerving during takeoff or landing) which could easily result in a collapsed undercarriage or a wing-tip strike.
* Personnel Involved:
* Major J.H. Mowbray: Appointed as President of the Court. As a Major, Mowbray would have been a senior Flight Commander within the squadron.
* Lieut. C. v. Trotsenburg: Appointed as Member.
* Capt. R. Alexander: The signatory on behalf of the Officer Commanding. Alexander frequently appears as the administrative officer for Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell.
* Legal and Regulatory Framework:
* Formal Proceedings: The inquiry operated as a quasi-judicial body, with witnesses giving "evidence... on oath.". The goal was to distinguish between unavoidable mechanical failure and human factors like "negligence," "irregularity," or "lack of discipline.".
* Regulations: The order cites "R.P. 125 and 125 A. I.D.C.". "R.P." refers to the Rules of Procedure, while "I.D.C." likely refers to Internal Disciplinary Codes or similar Union Defense Force (South African) regulations.
* Theatre Context (Conversion Period):
* Standing Down: This order was issued on July 20th, just two days after the squadron officially flew its last Baltimore mission (see File 55). While the squadron was "standing down" to convert to the Martin B-26 Marauder, administrative loose ends—like the investigation of FA 469—had to be resolved before the unit could be considered fully operational on its new mark.
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Lt. Col.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* Capt.: Captain.
* Lieut.: Lieutenant.
* No.: Number (referring to Service Numbers/Serial Numbers).
* R.P.: Rules of Procedure.
* I.D.C.: Likely Internal Disciplinary Code (or similar).

59
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is dated 24/7/44. (24th July 1944) in the top right-hand corner. It is a page of "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS" (Appendix "CC") labeled 58 in the top right margin.