Thursday, 9 March 1944 — War Diary

21 Squadron War Diary

1200 hrs Biferno, Italy

"I"138SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 20/44. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.ByLT. COL. A.C. JANDRELL, D.F.C.Officer Commanding,21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.9th March, 1944.Para. 81. S.A.R. & H. ADMINISTRATION. EMPLOYEES.All personnel who were employed by the S.A.R. & H. prior to enlistment must report to the Orderly Room by 12.00 hours on Saturday, 11th March, 1944 to give the following particulars:Number, Rank, Name.Employment in U.D.F. (Artisan or Non Artisan).S.A.R. & H Designation (i.e. grade etc.) prior to enlistment.Name of centre where employed in S.A.R. & H.Date of enlistment.(ADAP/MAAF/401/1C/36 dd 26.2.44).Para. 82. SENIOR N. C.Os.All Senior N. C. Os are to report without fail, with their paybooks, to the Medical Officer at 10.00 hours on Saturday, 11th March, 1944.Para. 83. D. A. F. MALCOLM CLUB.The D. A. F. "Malcolm Club" is now located in Vasto.(A.R.O. para. 75. Serial 9. dd.3.3.44)Para. 84. ALCOHOL - FOGGIA DISTRICT.Liquor fortified with wood alcohol is being sold in some wine shops in Foggia Town. Samples have been taken from shops in Foggia and Ortonova for analysis and pending the results of this analysis the bars have been closed to trade.Several deaths have occurred in the past few days from the effects of drinking poisoned liquor and ALL RANKS are warned against purchasing wines and spirits except from reliable sources.(A.R.O. Serial 9. para. 77. dd. 3.3.44).Para. 85. OFFICERS CLUB - TERMOLI.A Club for all Officers of the Allied Services is now open in Termoli.The club is controlled by the Army and is open daily from 15.30 hrs to 22.00 hrs. Drinks will be served from 18.00 hrs to 21.45 hrs and teas and snacks will be served from 15.30 hrs to 17.30 hrs.The membership fee is as follows:- Monthly 50 Lire.Weekly. 20 Lire.All purchases will be on a ticket system, and books of tickets value 200 Lire, can be obtained from the N.C.O. i/c club.Curfew is at 21.00 hours and Officers leaving the club after this time must be in possession of a pass, authorising them to be in Termoli until 22.15 hours, by which time they must be clear of the Town.(A.R.O. Serial 9. para. 78 dd. 3.3.44).(Signature illegible) LT. COL.COMMANDING NO. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.

Transcriber's Notes

S.A.A.F: South African Air Force.
L.T: Local Time.
D.F.C: Distinguished Flying Cross.
U.D.F: Union Defence Force.
M.A.A.F: Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
A.R.O: Area/Air Routine Order.
N.C.O: Non-Commissioned Officer.

Administration (S.A.R. & H.):

Health & Safety Crisis (Wood Alcohol Poisoning):

Morale & Recreation (Clubs):

Officers Club - Termoli: A new club controlled by the Army opened in Termoli (north of the Biferno base). The detailed rules—membership fees in Lire (50 Lire monthly), ticket systems for drinks, and strict curfew enforcement—show the attempt to maintain discipline even during leisure. The curfew was 21.00 hours, with a special pass required to stay until 22.15.

Abbreviations:

S.A.R. & H.: South African Railways and Harbours.

dd.: Dated.