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

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/2
APPENDIX "M"

SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 14/45 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
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By

LT. COL. D. ORD, D.F.C.
-------------------------
Officer Commanding,
No. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.

10th February, 1945.

Para. 41. DEMOBILISATION OF VOLUNTEERS WITH PRE-ENLISTMENT EMPLOYMENT
TO WHICH TO RETURN.
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The Air Directorate has called for a return of personnel
who have DEFINITE and genuine pre-enlistment employment to
which to return on demobilisation(including farmers and students
returning to their farms and universities respectively).
All personnel who have such employment to which to return
must report to the Orderly Room before 12.00 hours on the
13th February, 1945.
(A.A.L. Personnel No. 52 dated 4. 2. 45).

Para. 42 APPOINTMENT OF FLIGHT COMMANDER.
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No. 804017 Comm. G.N. Dieu is appointed "B" Flight
Commander vice No. 103190V. Major L.G. Hamlet (R.T.U.).

Para. 43 REFUSE.
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Camp refuse must not be dumped between the tent lines or
over the boundary hedge. The refuse bins, placed throughout
the camp, are to be used for this rubbish.

Para. 44. BOUNDS - SAN MARINO.
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The Republic of San Marino is now in bounds subject to
several regulations, particulars of which can be obtained from
the Adjutant.
(A.R.O. Serial 4, para. 36 d.d. 3.2.45).

Para. 45. M.T. DRIVERS - CARRYING OF ARMS.
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As two drivers of W.D. vehicles have recently been murdered
when driving at night in No. 61 Area, in future all drivers will
be armed when driving during the hours of darkness.
(A.R.O. Serial 3, para. 25, d.d. 27. 1. 45).

Para. 46 HEATING APPLIANCES - TENTS.
--------------------------
1. Heating appliances, such as Petrol burners, etc., may be
used in tents, provided that the appliances have been passed
as SAFE by the Unit Engineer Officer and a certificate to this
effect lodged with the Adjutant, and provided that para.3 is
observed.

2. In the case of a tent fire in which a Petrol burner, Crude
Oil burner, etc., is situated, the occupants in the absence of
such a certificate, will be held directly responsible, in
the ordinary way.

3. No heating appliance will be left burning in any tent,
without some one being present.
(3W/1109/1 d.d. 3. 2. 45).

Para. 47. ISSUE OF IDENTITY CARDS TO PERSONNEL OF THE R.A.F., S.A.A.F.
AND R.N.Z.A.F.
--------------
All R.A.F., S.A.A.F. and R.N.Z.A.F. are to report to the
Orderly Room regarding the issue of the above cards.
(3W/714/P1, d.d. 8. 2. 45)
[Handwritten signature: D Ord]
-------------------------------
OFFICER COMMANDING 21 SQDN. S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (Transcriber's Notes)
Glossary of Terms:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* LT. COL. D. ORD, D.F.C.: Lieutenant Colonel Donald Ord, Distinguished Flying Cross; Commanding Officer of 21 Squadron.
* Flight Commander: Senior pilot responsible for the operational and administrative leadership of a specific sub-unit (Flight) within the squadron.
* Comm. G.N. Dieu: Commandant G.N. Dieu; a rank equivalent to Major in the SAAF.
* R.T.U.: Returned to Union; specifically denotes the completion of an operational tour and return to home depot or South Africa.
* W.D. Vehicles: War Department vehicles.
* M.T. Drivers: Mechanical Transport drivers.
* R.A.F. / R.N.Z.A.F.: Royal Air Force / Royal New Zealand Air Force.
* d.d.: Dated.
* Orderly Room: The administrative office of a military unit.
Operational Context:
The administrative nature of this order, dated February 1945, reflects the maturity of the Italian Campaign and the beginning of planning for post-war transition (Para 41). While 21 Squadron was at this time operating from Jesi in Northern Italy, its tactical legacy was defined by the high-intensity operations of November 1943. During that phase, the squadron—then flying Martin Baltimores—was critical in applying air pressure to the Bernhardt Line. Strategic points like the Mignano Gap and grid reference H055630 were vital chokepoints where the destruction of German logistical movement directly enabled the Allied breach toward the Gustav Line. In contrast, the security concerns in Para 45 regarding the murder of drivers in "No. 61 Area" indicate the volatile rear-area environment and partisan/insurgent activities encountered as the MAAF moved deep into the Northern Italian provinces.
Interpretations of Marginalia and Notes:
* Folio Number "71": Stamped archival index number in the upper right quadrant.
* "APPENDIX 'M'": Designates this document as a formal administrative attachment to the primary February 1945 war diary narrative.
* Security Context (Para 45): The order for all night-driving M.T. personnel to be armed following recent murders highlights a significant threat to non-combat personnel in the liberated zones of Italy.
* Personnel Transition (Para 42): The replacement of Major L.G. Hamlet by Commandant G.N. Dieu marks a routine but critical shift in tactical leadership as senior officers completed their required operational sorties.
* Authentication: The document features the original handwritten signature of Lt. Col. Donald Ord, verifying the standing orders for the squadron.

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The following archival transcription and historical analysis pertain to Target File: 271-2_19.jpg, sourced from The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/2.
Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 26th February, 1945.