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

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APPENDIX "Q"
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 78/44.
21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
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By
LT. COL. A. C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
27th August, 1944.
Para. 296. DISCIPLINE.
A complaint has been received on behalf of the Imperial Forces that Dominion forces especially S.A.A.F. personnel are extremely lax as regards malaria control – dress, discipline. Numerous cases of S.A.A.F. personnel appearing in cinemas and surrounding villages after dark in short sleeves and shorts have been reported and Commanders of said forces are of the opinion that this state of affairs has an adverse influence on the discipline of their formations.
Attention of all personnel is again drawn to Squadron Routine Order No. 61/44. para. 234. dated 28th June 1944. All ranks are warned that they must change into long trousers and long sleeves must be worn by 19.00 hours.
A very serious view will be taken of any person disregarding anti malarial precautions.
Para. 297. WORKING HOURS.
The following working hours will be observed by the undermentioned sections:—
Admin. )
"Q" Stores. ) 08.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs.
"T" Stores. ) 13.30 hrs to 16.30 hrs.
M.T. Section. )
Para. 298. U.D.F.I. PURCHASES.
The attention of ALL ranks is drawn to the following notice.
A card system has been introduced whereby all purchases from the U.D.F.I. van can only be made by primarily presenting a card. This card will be made out for every member of this Unit and will be collected from the Orderly Room on the day when the U.D.F.I. visits the Squadron. The card will be retained by the U.D.F.I. for record purposes and will be handed back to the Orderly Room on completion of the day's business.
Para. 299. CURRENCY.
Circulation 100 Franc bank of France notes ceases CORSICA 5th September. Notes to reach No. 1 R.A.F. Base Area prior to that date.
(Signal, M.A.A.F. O217. dd. 24.8.44)
(Signed) L. Alexander capt.
for LT. COL.
COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* S.A.A.F. / SAAF: South African Air Force.
* LT. COL. / capt.: Lieutenant Colonel / Captain.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* hrs / hrs.: Hours.
* Admin.: Administration.
* "Q" Stores: Quartermaster Stores (Supplies/Equipment).
* "T" Stores: Technical Stores (Aircraft parts/specialized gear).
* M.T.: Motor Transport.
* U.D.F.I.: Union Defence Force Institute (the South African equivalent of the NAAFI or PX, providing canteen services and goods).
* R.A.F.: Royal Air Force.
* M.A.A.F.: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
* dd.: Dated.
* Observations about Individuals:
* LT. COL. A.C. Jandrell, D.F.C.: The Commanding Officer of 21 Squadron. Jandrell's leadership at this time was focused on the heavy operational requirements of the Gothic Line offensive, which makes the disciplinary complaints regarding "short sleeves and shorts" an additional administrative burden during a period of high-intensity combat.
* Captain L. Alexander: Serving as the Adjutant/Diarist, Alexander signed these orders on behalf of the C.O..
* Location and Modern Names:
* Pescara: Though not named in this specific order, 21 Squadron was based at Pescara on the Adriatic coast during late August 1944. The airfield site is now Abruzzo Airport (Aeroporto d'Abruzzo).
* Corsica: Mentioned in the currency section regarding the withdrawal of certain Franc notes. Corsica served as a major Allied airbase and logistical hub for operations in Southern France and Northern Italy.
* Historical Theatre Context:
* Malaria Control and Discipline: The "serious view" taken toward malarial precautions reflects the massive non-battle casualty rates caused by the disease in the Mediterranean Theater. Mosquito-borne malaria was a significant threat in the marshy coastal regions of Italy. The complaint from "Imperial Forces" (British) regarding the "Dominion forces" (South Africans) suggests a friction in military culture where SAAF personnel were perceived as less formal in their attire, potentially endangering health and unit readiness.
* The Gothic Line Context: This order was issued on August 27th, during the opening days of Operation Olive, the massive Allied ground assault on the German Gothic Line. While the squadron's aircrews were flying intensive "shuttle" missions in Martin B-26 Marauders to support the Eighth Army, the ground personnel were being reminded that basic health discipline was essential to maintaining the "discipline of their formations".
* U.D.F.I. and Morale: The introduction of a "card system" for purchases from the U.D.F.I. van indicates a need for better rationing or record-keeping for luxury goods (tobacco, sweets, personal items) which were vital for maintaining troop morale during long deployments far from the Union.
* Currency Devaluation: The order regarding the 100 Franc notes highlights the fluid and complex economic environment of the liberated territories, where military authorities had to move quickly to stabilize currency and prevent black-market speculation as theater boundaries shifted.

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Target File Verification: The date written in the 'DATE' column is 29th AUGUST, 1944.