[Routine Order] 259A

Wednesday, 25 October 1944 Other

Document

259A
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDER NO. 99/44. CONTINUED PAGE TWO.
Para. 356. INSUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED PRIVATE MAIL.
The attention of all ranks is called to the importance of quoting their full address at the head of every letter written by them. Cases occur in which an airman, having given his full address in several letters to a person with whom he corresponds fairly regularly, assumes that that address is so well known by his correspondent that it is unnecessary to repeat it in full on all future occasions. Inevitably this practice sooner or later results in letters arriving in the Middle East Command bearing insufficient addresses. Unnecessary work is caused to Postal Headquarters in endeavouring to trace the addresses of such correspondence apart from the delay caused to the addressees themselves in the delivery of their mail, some of which may have to be returned to the senders through the addresses given being totally inadequate.
(G.R.O. 98 para. 365 d.d. 19.9.44).
Para. 357. MENTION IN DESPATCHES EMBLEMS.
It has been brought to notice that Oak Leaf Emblems purporting to be that used for a Mention in Despatches are on sale throughout South Africa, and further that personnel not entitled to these emblems are wearing them.
As supplies of the genuine emblem are available and are being issued to those entitled to wear them, all concerned will ensure by suitable disciplinary action:—
(a) that no spurious emblem is worn;
(b) that only those entitled to these emblems wear them.
It is pointed out that a Union Government commendation does not entitle the recipient to wear an Emblem.
(G.R.O. 98 para. 373 d.d. 19.9.44).
Para. 358. BEER BOTTLES AND CASES - RETURN OF.
Owing to the restriction of imports on bottled beer to this and other theatres steps are being taken to develop local production to the maximum possible extent. Distribution of local production is in part dependent on an adequate supply of beer bottles and cases.
The greatest care will be exercised in the conservation of beer bottles and cases, the disposal of which through salvage channels or by sale through civilian sources will cease forthwith.
All beer bottles and cases will be returned to the B.I.S. (N.A.A.F.I.) and explanation will be required to cover any deficiencies. In the absence of a reasonable explanation, such as unavoidable breakages or the inability of a unit in a forward area to conserve containers, issues of beer to units will not exceed the number of containers handed in.
Only by the full co-operation of all concerned will it be possible to maintain distribution of locally manufactured beer.
(G.R.O. 98 para. 376 d.d. 19.9.44).
(Signature: Ord) LT. COL.
COMMANDING, NO. 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.
N O T I C E
PAY PARADE.
A Pay Parade will be held at the Pay Office on Tuesday, 31st October, 1944.
Airmen 09.00 hrs. to 10.00 hrs.
W.O.'s & Sgts. 10.00 " " 10.30 "
Officers 10.30 " " 11.00 "
All Paybooks must be handed in by 15.00 hrs. on Friday, 27.10.44.
CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONNEL INTO AGE AND SERVICE GROUPS.
All S.A.A.F. personnel are to report to the Orderly Room in order to read a circular regarding the above.
LOST. A small bunch of keys. Finder please return to O/Room.

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* Para.: Paragraph
* G.R.O.: General Routine Order
* d.d.: dated
* B.I.S. (N.A.A.F.I.): Bulk Issue Store (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes)
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force
* hrs.: hours
* W.O.'s: Warrant Officers
* Sgts.: Sergeants
* O/Room: Orderly Room
* Observations about Individuals:
* Lieutenant Colonel D. Ord: The Officer Commanding (OC) of 21 Squadron. Ord’s signature on these routine orders during October 1944 reflects his administrative focus on unit discipline and morale during a period of total non-operational status caused by "continual rain".
* Location and Modern Names:
* Jesi / San Ubaldo: On October 25, 1944, the squadron was located at the San Ubaldo estate near Jesi.
* Modern Name: This historic site is currently the Ancona International Airport (Aeroporto di Ancona-Falconara).
* Middle East Command: Referenced in Para. 356 as the logistical hub through which mail flowed back to the Union of South Africa.
* Historical Theatre Context:
* The Beer Crisis: Para. 358 highlights a fascinating logistical detail of the Italian Campaign. Due to shipping shortages, the Allied command attempted to switch from imported bottled beer to local production. The strict "one for one" container exchange policy underscores how critical "beer bottles and cases" had become to maintaining this small but vital component of troop morale during the static winter stalemate.
* Discipline and Vanity: Para. 357 regarding "Mention in Despatches Emblems" reflects a broader concern about the illicit sale and wearing of unauthorized awards. The Oak Leaf Emblem was a prestigious mark of bravery; its misuse suggests a "general slackness" in discipline that the command was eager to correct while the crews were grounded.
* Demobilization Planning: The notice regarding the "Classification of Personnel into Age and Service Groups" is a significant indicator that the South African authorities were already preparing for the post-war demobilization process, even as the fighting in the northern Apennines remained brutal.
* The Operational Void: While these domestic and administrative concerns occupied the daily routine, the squadron's Martin B-26 Marauder III bombers remained immobile in the "ocean of greasily dappled mud" at the Jesi airfield.

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The date written in the bottom left corner of the document is 1/10/44.