[Routine Order] APPENDIX 'CC' — Orders & Appendices

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APPENDIX 'CC'
58
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. NO. 70/44 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
BY
LT. COL. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
24/7/44.
Para. 261. UNION LOAN CERTIFICATES.
The attention of all ranks is drawn to the facilities which exist for
purchasing of Union Loan Certificates.
It is a cause for great concern when it is revealed that U.D.F. per-
sonnel are spending their money on both worthless and useless presents for
their people in the Union. This money spent in the purchase of Union Loan
Certificates would not only ensure a nest egg for the returned soldier,
but would help the Union Government in its great war effort.
PLAN FOR INVESTING SAVINGS IN UNION LOAN CERTIFICATES. ANNEXURE "A".
Arrangements have been made whereby members of the U.D.F., wherever
serving, may allocate either:
(a) A lump sum; or
(b) Daily amounts.
for investment in Union Loan Certificates.
(1) Briefly the scheme provides facilities whereby a member can sign a
stop order in duplicate vide Annexure "B".
(2) The stop order in duplicate is forwarded to the Chief Paymaster
who retains the original and forwards the duplicate to the Postmaster-
General.
(3) The Postmaster-General issues Union Loan Certificates for each
complete 15/0 received and places them on a special file for the credit
of the member concerned.
(4) These certificates are redeemable for cash at any time on written
application being made to the Accountant, Union Loan Certificate Section,
G.P.O., Pretoria, on the prescribed form obtainable at any Post Office.
(5) Each certificate increases in value after the 11th. month of the
first year vide the table attached, Annexure "C".
The advantages of making these savings apart from the patriotic aspect
of the matter are:-
(a) A fund is created for the payment of income tax.
(b) A fund is created for eventual use when civil life is resumed.
(c) Every penny saved lessens the danger of inflation, a very real and
potent menace, which, if it becomes accentuated, will have harmful effects
on the economic life of every citizen.
(d) A fund is created for emergencies.
(e) Investments carry a good rate of interest FREE OF INCOME TAX.
(f) Savings are automatic with a minimum of inconvenience.
(i) A Stop Order may be amended to enable Union Loan Certificates to be
issued in the name of any person nominated by the soldier.
(ii) Certificates of the 15/0 denomination are pasted in a book which
provides for ten certificates. It is desirable that the book be retained
by the G.P.O. until it has been completed, but it can thereafter be handed
to the person in whose name the certificates have been issued, or to the
soldier's authorised agent if they have been issued in the soldier's name.
(iii). The Chief Accountant, G.P.O., has given the assurance that the
certificates are perfectly safe so long as they are in the custody of that
department, and that THERE IS NO DANGER OF LOSS to the investor through
certificates going astray as sometimes happens when they are held by
individuals.
Continued/

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* Economic Warfare and Domestic Stability (Para 261):
* The "Useless Presents" Critique: The order contains a sharp, paternalistic rebuke of U.D.F. (Union Defence Force) personnel for spending their pay on "worthless and useless presents" while stationed in Italy. This reflects the military leadership's concern with both the soldiers' post-war financial stability and the broader national economy.
* Inflation Control: The order explicitly frames saving as a defense against the "danger of inflation," described as a "potent menace". During total war, high soldier pay coupled with low domestic production of consumer goods created classic inflationary pressure; the government preferred this liquidity be siphoned into war bonds.
* Post-War Transition: The phrase "ensure a nest egg for the returned soldier" highlights the government’s attempt to mitigate the social disruption expected during demobilization.
* Administrative Mechanics (The Post-Office Scheme):
* G.P.O. Pretoria: The central hub for this financial scheme was the General Post Office in Pretoria, South Africa. Soldiers were encouraged to leave their physical certificate books in the "custody" of the G.P.O. to avoid the risk of loss—a practical concern given the high mobility and precarious nature of service in a combat theater.
* Stop Orders: The use of "stop orders" (automatic pay deductions) ensured a steady stream of revenue for the Union Government’s war effort while making saving effortless for the individual airman.
* Historical Context (The Stand-Down Period):
* Operational Status: This order was issued during the critical "stand-down" period for 21 Squadron. Having flown their final Baltimore mission on July 18th (see File 55), the squadron was currently focused on converting to the Martin B-26 Marauder.
* Administrative Housekeeping: During such non-operational transition periods, unit commanders like Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C. typically prioritized "housekeeping" matters such as discipline, health, and financial welfare (like these Loan Certificates) to keep the men occupied while they were not flying combat sorties.
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* U.D.F.: Union Defence Force (the military forces of the Union of South Africa).
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Lt. Col.: Lieutenant Colonel (Jandrell).
* G.P.O.: General Post Office.
* vide: "See" or "Refer to" (Latin).
* 15/0: Fifteen shillings (in the pre-decimal currency system of pounds, shillings, and pence).

60
Verification:
Target File Verification: The document is dated 24/7/44 (referenced from the previous page, File 59) and contains "STOP ORDER" templates with placeholder dates for 194.... This is the continuation of "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 70/44" and is labeled 59 in the top right margin.