[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 73/44. Continued. PAGE TWO. 107

Sunday, 13 August 1944 Other

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SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 73/44. Continued. PAGE TWO. 107
279 Cont. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE.
Second: to strike the first blow in the liberation of Europe and give our comrades in arms in the West and in the East a good start by presenting them with a first-class victory.
The first object has been largely achieved. The second has been wholly fulfilled. To you, the soldiers of the Armies in Italy, belongs the honour and glory of this great victory, and I, as your Commander-in-Chief, send to each and every one of you my heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation for the magnificent way in which you have carried out your task, and in this hour we do not forget our comrades who have fallen in battle. We honour their name and mourn their loss.
Now we are completing an extensive regrouping in order to bring about the final collapse of the enemy. This is taking place according to plan, and it is my intention to proceed with the second and perhaps final stage of the destruction of the German armed forces in Italy.
These are great days. The Italian campaign has already made history and victory lies clearly ahead of us, but as good and experienced soldiers we know that the path is not an easy one and final success can only be won by fighting for it.
The eyes of the world and the hopes of all at home are upon us — we shall not disappoint them. We shall continue as we have begun to destroy the enemy wherever we find him and to march along the road to the last battles where final victory awaits us.
(Signed) H.R. Alexander.
General, Commander-in-Chief.
July, 1944.
280. ARRIVALS AT ADVANCE TRANSIT CAMP.
The attention of all ranks is drawn to the following procedure which is applicable to personnel arriving at Advance Transit Camp.
(a) All arrivals will book in at the Orderly Room.
(b) Officers will report to the Officer Commanding or the Adjutant, Senior N.C.Os and Other Ranks will report to the Camp Sergeant Major.
(c) All drivers of vehicles must report to the Camp Sergeant Major.
2. Personnel who report prior to being returned to the Union should note:—
(a) Maximum weight allowed:—
BARI — CAIRO 60 lbs.
Cairo — Union. 40 lbs.
No additional weight will be allowed.
(b) Officer Commanding, Advance Transit Camp will not accept surplus equipment which should be handed in to Unit Stores before departure for Advance Transit Camp. The above remarks apply particularly to:
Bed Rolls, Blankets, Gas Equipment and Webbing.
(Ref. ADV/SAOA/433/3. d.d. 1.8.44).
(Signed) L.R. Alexander CAPT.
FOR LT. COL.
COMMANDING 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
NOTICE: Church Services — Roman Catholic.
Holy Mass will be said at 07.30 hrs. and 19.00 hrs. on Sunday, 13th August, 1944 in the Church beside the Officers' Mess, No. 12 Squadron, also at 10.00 hrs. in Church near to Wing Headquarters.
Transport will leave the vicinity of the Mess 20 minutes before each service.

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* Cont.: Continued.
* N.C.Os: Non-Commissioned Officers.
* lbs.: Pounds (weight).
* d.d.: Dated.
* CAPT.: Captain.
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* hrs.: Hours (military time).
* Observations about Individuals:
* General H.R. Alexander: Sir Harold Alexander, the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Armies in Italy (AAI). His message, dated July 1944, celebrates the breakthrough of the Gustav Line and the liberation of Rome (June 4, 1944).
* Captain L.R. Alexander: The squadron diarist and acting adjutant for No. 21 Squadron. He signed this order on behalf of the Officer Commanding, Lieutenant Colonel A.C. Jandrell.
* Location and Modern Names:
* Pescara: While the order mentions transit through Bari and Cairo, the squadron was based at Pescara during this period (August 1944). The airfield is the modern Abruzzo Airport.
* Bari: A major Adriatic port city in Southern Italy. It remains a significant Italian city and port today.
* Cairo: The Egyptian capital, which served as a massive Allied logistical and transit hub for the Mediterranean Theater.
* The Union: Refers to the Union of South Africa, the home destination for personnel being rotated out of theater.
* Historical Theatre Context:
* Regrouping for the Gothic Line: General Alexander’s mention of "extensive regrouping" refers to the preparation for Operation Olive, the massive assault on the Gothic Line defenses in Northern Italy that would begin in late August 1944.
* Logistics and Transit: The strict weight limits (60 lbs and 40 lbs) for personnel returning home via Cairo and the Union reflect the limited cargo capacity of transport aircraft and the prioritization of military supplies over personal effects.
* Squadron Proximity: The notice for Church Services at No. 12 Squadron's mess highlights the physical proximity of the units within No. 3 (SAAF) Wing at Pescara. No. 12 and No. 21 Squadrons often operated together during the transition to the Martin B-26 Marauder.

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Target File Verification: The date written in the 'Date' column is 14th August, 1944.