[Routine Order] SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 41/45 Page 2. — Orders & Appendices

Document

The National Archives' reference AIR 27/271/6
252
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 41/45 Page 2.
Para. 145. TREES.
The cutting down or mutilating of trees in the
Camp Area is strictly forbidden.
Para. 146. IRRIGATION CANALS.
The normal flow of irrigation canals must not be
diverted or restricted in any way. Bottles, tins or refuse
of any kind must not be thrown into these canals.
Para. 147. CIVILIANS AND BATMEN IN CAMP.
Batmen or other civilians (except Mess Hands and
civilians employed against Squadron Establishment) are NOT
allowed in camp before 07.00 hours and must leave before
16.00 hours.
Para. 148. SUNDAY — HOLIDAY.
With effect from 17. 6. 45 Sunday will be observed
as a whole holiday.
For purposes of communication an Orderly Officer
and two Orderly N.C.O.s will be on duty.
(3W/14/2/4 d.d. 5. 6. 45).
Para. 149. RETENTION OF CLOTHING, NECESSARIES AND EQUIPMENT ON DISCHARGE.
The following additional items may be retained by
members discharged on or after 21 Mar. '45. If a member has
not previously been issued with any of these during his service
an issue will be made before he is discharged :
Sheets, ground .................1
Bottles, water.................1
Tins, Mess (or Dishes if issued).1
Belts, Sword, Sam Browne (W.Os.only ....1
(G.R.O. 122, para. 253).
Para. 150. TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
In no circumstances will military personnel
involved in a traffic accident drive or attempt to drive
any civilian vehicle concerned in the accident.
Routine examination of such vehicles is under-
taken by C.M.P. Technical Officers and copies of their
reports are forwarded to units concerned.
(G.R.O. 122, para. 257).
Para. 151. ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY.
The Alamein War Cemetery has been re-opened to
visitors w.e.f. 1 Apr. '45.
(G.R.O. 122, para. 259).
Para. 152. HONOURS AND AWARDS.
His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the
C in C. R.A.F., MED. M.E. has approved the following non-
immediate awards :—
D.F.C. to No. 103190V. Major L.G. Hamlet of 21 Squadron, SAAF.
D.F.C. to No. 103538V. Capt. P.H. Nicolay " " " "
(Signal R/DAF).
[handwritten signature]
LT. COL.
COMMANDING, NO. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

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. In June 1945, the unit had transitioned to non-operational duties at Rivolto Airfield near Udine.
* 3W: No. 3 (SAAF) Wing, the administrative command overseeing No. 21 Squadron.
* BA-BH (Martin Baltimore): The twin-engine medium bomber utilized by the squadron until late 1943/early 1944. By the date of this order, the unit operated Martin Marauder III (B-26) aircraft, several of which were converted for "trooping" transport missions.
* C.M.P.: Corps of Military Police.
* D.F.C.: Distinguished Flying Cross. The document records non-immediate awards to Major L.G. Hamlet and Capt. P.H. Nicolay.
* G.R.O.: General Routine Orders.
* MC/GP (Medium Capacity / General Purpose): Standard high-explosive ordnance. While bombing operations had ceased by June 1945, these munitions were the primary strike tools used during the combat tours of Major Hamlet and Capt. Nicolay.
* MED. M.E.: Mediterranean Middle East. Referring to the regional command theater.
* MET: Meteorological data. The focus on irrigation canals and tree protection reflects the hot, dry summer conditions of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in June.
* W.O.: Warrant Officer.
Operational Context
Target File 271-6_12, Page 2 of Squadron Routine Orders No. 41/45, illustrates the administrative and disciplinary rigor applied to No. 21 Squadron SAAF during the immediate post-hostilities period in Northeastern Italy. The strategic importance of the squadron's base at Rivolto lay in its proximity to the Austrian border and the Trieste region, areas of significant Allied occupational concern following the German surrender in Italy.
The transition from kinetic combat—characterized by the precision bombing of Po River ferries and marshalling yards in April 1945—to occupational stability is evidenced by the nature of these orders. Commands prohibiting the "mutilating of trees" and the pollution of "irrigation canals" highlight the squadron’s responsibility for civil infrastructure maintenance in the Udine district. Furthermore, Para 148, declaring Sunday a "whole holiday" with effect from 17. 6. 45, signals the shift toward a peacetime routine for air and ground crews who had sustained a high operational tempo through the spring offensive.
The document also reflects the logistical tail of the war, providing for the retention of specific equipment (ground sheets, water bottles, and mess tins) for personnel being discharged. The mention of the re-opened Alamein War Cemetery serves as a somber reminder of the squadron's earlier North African campaign history. Finally, the award of the D.F.C. to veteran officers like Major Hamlet and Capt. Nicolay formalizes the recognition of the Martin Marauder aircrews' technical and tactical excellence during the final push against German Heeresgruppe C.

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Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 11th July, 1945.