[Routine Order] APPENDIX "DD" — Orders & Appendices

Document

APPENDIX "DD"
60
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 71/44 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
BY
LT. COL. A.C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
24th July, 1944.
Para. 262. DUTY SQUADRON.
This Unit is Duty Squadron for the week 24th July to
31st July, 1944.
Instructions as laid down in Squadron Routine Order
No. 28/44 dated 2.4.44 will be complied with.
Para. 263. LEAVE.
All ground personnel will in future if proceeding away
from Camp for a period extending over 24 hours enter their
names in a book provided for that purpose in the R.S.M.'s Tent.
Para. 264. M. T.
Desert Air Force advise that the theft of motor vehicles
is, if anything, on the increase throughout the Command.
If carelessness resulting in the loss of a motor vehicle
can be attached to an individual responsible for such a
vehicle, the severest military discipline will be taken against
the individual concerned. This may result in the individual
"paying for the total of the vehicle lost"
Common causes of loss are :-
(i) Not leaving a vehicle in an official parking place.
(ii) Leaving a vehicle both mobilised and unattended.
(3W/825/1).
Para. 265 CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE.
The following signal has been received from Director
General of Air Force :-
"Please convey to all ground crews keenest appreciation
for their part in the blows now being struck at the enemy,
the particularly high standard of maintenance stands as an
unequalled record".
(Extract letter ref. ADV/SAOA/1208/5 d.d. 20.7.44).
[Signed] R Alexander Capt
for LT. COL.
COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
FOUND :- Fountain Pen in Major Aitchison's Office. Apply Orderly Room.

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Historical & Tactical Notes:
* Operational Transition and Maintenance Excellence (Para 265):
* The Director General's Praise: The congratulatory message from the Director General of Air Force emphasizes the "unequalled record" of the ground crews. This is significant given the timing: 21 Squadron had just retired its aging Martin Baltimores on July 18th and was transitioning to Martin B-26 Marauders. Keeping a fleet of older aircraft combat-ready during a high-intensity offensive while simultaneously preparing for a new mark required exceptional logistics and technical skill.
* Strategic Context: The "blows now being struck" refers to the final pushes against the Gothic Line and the recent liberation of Ancona (July 18th). Ground crews worked in harsh, dusty conditions at forward airfields like Pescara to ensure aircraft could fly multiple sorties daily.
* Discipline and Logistics (Para 264):
* M. T. (Motor Transport) Security: The theft of vehicles was a major concern for the Desert Air Force. The warning that individuals might be held financially liable—"paying for the total of the vehicle lost"—was a severe deterrent intended to stop personnel from leaving vehicles "mobilised and unattended" (likely meaning with the keys in or engines running). In the chaos of the Italian campaign, vehicles were often "requisitioned" by other units or stolen for the civilian black market.
* Personnel and Administration:
* Officer Commanding: The orders are issued by Lt. Col. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross), a decorated leader who oversaw the squadron's transition to heavier bombers.
* R.S.M. (Regimental Sergeant Major): Ground personnel on leave had to sign in at the R.S.M.'s Tent. The RSM was the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer and the enforcer of camp discipline.
* Major Aitchison: The small note about a "Fountain Pen" found in his office provides a human touch to the record. Major Aitchison was a prominent flight commander often mentioned in combat sortie reports (see File 46).
* Captain R. Alexander: Signing "for" the Lieutenant Colonel, Alexander served as the primary administrative officer (Adjutant) for the squadron during this period.
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* Lt. Col.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* R.S.M.: Regimental Sergeant Major.
* M. T.: Motor Transport.
* ADV/SAOA: Advanced / Senior Air Officer Administration.
* d.d.: Dated.
* Capt: Captain.

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Verification:
The document is dated 26th July, 1944 in the header section. It is a page of "SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS" (Appendix "EE") labeled 61 in the top right corner.