APPENDIX "O"

Undated Other pp. 315

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APPENDIX "O"
CHRISTMAS IN THE FIELD.
1944.
OFFICERS' MESS, 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.
Despite the necessity of operating Christmas was celebrated adequately at San Ubaldo—the present home and Mess of the Officers, 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F. The prospect of a traditional "White Christmas" was dissipated by the appearance of the thin winter sun; but the decorations and the ingenious employment of cotton wool achieved the effect indoors. The tables were decorated to form a "Merry Xmas" with nuts, sweets and various choice morsels.
The Dinner was excellent, both in quality and quantity, and everyone overate as usual on this occasion. The Padre said Grace and the toast included "The King" and "Absent Friends". A toast to the New Zealand, Australian and R.A.F. members of the Squadron was proposed by the Commanding Officer, and these officers responded with a toast to the South Africans. While the Dinner was in progress the Cook-in-charge F/Sgt. Pieterse and the Kitchen Staff were invited to the Dining Room and the assembly sang a rousing chorus of "Jolly Good Fellows".
The Officers responsible for the arrangements and decorations are to be congratulated. In spite of very inadequate materials they were able to achieve a very gay and tasteful display which assisted appreciably to the great success of our Christmas Dinner.

Transcriber's Notes

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
* Abbreviations Expanded:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* R.A.F.: Royal Air Force.
* F/Sgt.: Flight Sergeant.
* Xmas: Christmas.
* Observations about Individuals Mentioned:
* F/Sgt. Pieterse: As the "Cook-in-charge," Pieterse was responsible for managing the preparation of a high-quality multi-course meal despite the "inadequate materials" and the constraints of a field kitchen in winter. His invitation into the Dining Room to be serenaded by the officers was a significant gesture of gratitude for his labor.
* The Commanding Officer (Lt. Col. Ord): Though not named in this specific text, Lt. Col. Ord led the toasts. His toast to the New Zealand, Australian, and R.A.F. members highlights the multinational composition of 21 Squadron, which was an "Article XV" unit under the S.A.A.F. but utilized Commonwealth personnel to fill technical and aircrew gaps.
* "Absent Friends": This traditional toast carried heavy weight on Christmas 1944. Earlier that day, the squadron had lost two airmen (W.O. Hamilton and F/Sgt. Evans) who baled out of an aircraft over the Adriatic and were never recovered.
* Information about the Location:
* San Ubaldo: Located in the Marche region of Italy, near the town of Jesi. While the airmen were mostly housed at the airfield, the Officers' Mess was established in a local villa or building in San Ubaldo to provide a more permanent structure during the winter.
* Modern Name: San Ubaldo remains a locality within the Province of Ancona, Italy.
* Iesi (Jesi) Base: The squadron's airfield, located just miles from San Ubaldo, is the site of the present-day Ancona International Airport.
* Historical Theatre Context:
* Christmas Day Mission: The "necessity of operating" mentioned in the text refers to the major 12-aircraft strike launched that morning against the Treviso Engine Sheds. This raid was part of a critical push to destroy German rail infrastructure during a brief window of clear weather.
* Atmosphere of 1944: The ingenious use of "cotton wool" and "toilet paper artistically coloured" (as noted in the Airmen's Mess appendix) to simulate a "White Christmas" underscores the isolation and resourcefulness of the S.A.A.F. personnel in the field.
* A Multinational Unit: The mutual toasts between the "South Africans" and their "New Zealand, Australian and R.A.F." counterparts reflect the successful integration of diverse personnel within the S.A.A.F.'s 3 Wing.
* The Marauder III: The officers and men of 21 Squadron were operating the Martin B-26 Marauder III.

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The date written at the top of the memorandum is 1944.