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

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/6
APPENDIX "C"
251
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 41/45 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
By
LT. COL. D. ORD, D.F.C.
Officer Commanding,
21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.
14th June, 1945.
Para. 140. LEAVE.
All ground personnel before proceeding on leave
must have leave recommended by Officer i/c of his section,
approved and signed by the Adjutant.
Officers will book out with the Adjutant and Other
Ranks with the Disciplinarian.
Air Crews will comply with leave regulations published
in the Order Book in the Ops. Room.
Para. 141. CASUAL LEAVE.
All personnel when proceeding out of Camp will be
in possession of a Casual Leave Pass signed by the Head of
the Section concerned, or his Deputy. Pay Books and Identity
Discs must be carried at all times, and Curfew Regulations
will be strictly observed.
Where parties are proceeding by vehicle to the
Cinema, etc., one bulk pass will suffice for the whole party,
and should be carried by the Senior N.C.O. present. This
also applies to N.M.C. personnel.
Para. 142. MALARIA AND ANTI MALARIA MEASURES.
From one hour before sun-down until one hour after
sunrise, when not protected by a mosquito net ALL RANKS will
wear slacks and long sleeves, turned down and fastened at the
wrist. Anti mosquito cream or liquid repellant will be applied
to exposed parts of the body and should also be applied to the
ankles if mosquito boots or anklets are not worn. It should be
noted that the effect of the repellant wears off in three hours.
Mosquito Nets will be used and should be "tucked in"
one hour before sun-down and be frequently inspected for tears
and kept in good repair. Personnel in transit or away from
their Units for one or more nights are to take their mosquito
nets with them.
Para. 143. DRESS.
When walking out all personnel must be properly
dressed (summer dress). Mixed dress must not be worn. Medal
ribbons and M.I.D. decorations will be worn on service dress,
bush shirts and khaki jackets, but not on shirts. The
wearing of wound stripes and service chevrons is optional.
Wound stripes and service chevrons will not be worn on over-
coats or shirts.
Para. 144. WATER POINTS.
The following are the Camp Water Points :
1. On the road near the Officers Lines.
2. " " " " Sergeants "
3. " " " " Airmens "
4. " " " " N.M.C. "
5. " " " " Refuelling Section.
6. " " " " Equipment and Signals Sections.
7. " " " " Admin. Section.
Jerry cans at the above points will be filled daily with
drinking water. This water will NOT be used for washing or any other
purpose. Jerry Cans will not be filled from the Mess Tanks.
Continued....... Page 2.

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms
* 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. A medium bomber unit of the Desert Air Force (DAF) that had transitioned to post-hostilities duties in Northern Italy by June 1945.
* BA-BH (Martin Baltimore): The twin-engine medium bomber aircraft utilized by 21 Squadron prior to its mid-1944 conversion to the Martin Marauder III (B-26) currently in use.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross.
* M.I.D.: Mentioned in Despatches.
* MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard Allied high-explosive ordnance. While not mentioned in this administrative order, the squadron's Marauders had utilized these munitions extensively until the cessation of hostilities in May 1945.
* MET: Meteorological data. The "summer dress" and anti-malaria mandates reflect the seasonally high temperatures and humidity of the Venetian Plain in June.
* N.C.O.: Non-Commissioned Officer.
* N.M.C.: Native Military Corps. A non-combatant branch of the South African Army consisting of Black South Africans who provided essential logistical and labor support to the SAAF squadrons.
Operational Context
Target File 271-6_11, designated as Appendix "C", contains Squadron Routine Orders No. 41/45 issued by Lt. Col. D. Ord, D.F.C. on 14th June, 1945. This document originates from the squadron's new base at Rivolto Airfield in the Udine district, following its relocation from Jesi earlier in the month.
The strategic significance of these orders lies in the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) transition from kinetic combat to occupational stability. With the German surrender in Italy finalized, the maintenance of military discipline, health, and camp infrastructure became the primary command focus. The strict enforcement of anti-malaria measures was a tactical necessity; the Venetian Plain was historically prone to outbreaks, and the loss of personnel to disease would degrade the unit's ability to perform its new "Air Trooping" missions and relocation commitments.
Furthermore, the detailed regulations on leave, casual leave, and dress code illustrate the effort to manage morale while preventing "fraternisation with Italians" from leading to disciplinary breakdowns. The specific mention of water points and the reservation of Jerry cans for drinking water only—prohibiting their use for washing—reflects the logistical constraints of the new camp at Rivolto, where potable water had to be drawn from recognized army points in Udine. These orders ensured that despite the "peaceful flying" period, the technical and disciplinary standards of the SAAF were maintained during the occupational phase in Northeastern Italy.

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Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: No specific 'Date' column is present on this page; however, the narrative explicitly references effective dates of 17. 6. 45, 21 Mar. '45, and 1 Apr. '45.