Saturday, 16 September 1944

123456789101112 0730 hrs

21 Squadron War Diary

0730 hrs Pescara, Italy
"Q"186SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 85/44. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.ByMAJOR R.H. AITCHISON.Act. Officer Commanding,21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.16th September, 1944.Para. 313. BATTLE OF BRITAIN.From General Wilson: On the 15th Sept. 1940 the R.A.F. shot down 185 enemy aircraft over Great Britain. It was the crucial day of the Battle of Britain and the feat made certain of subsequent victory. Now four years later in the flood-tide of total victory let us remember those who fought and triumphed against terrific odds and who gave to us and to our Allies time to create and marshall the great forces of the United Nations which are now sweeping forward all over the globe.Para. 314. HONOURS AND AWARDS.HIS MAJESTY THE KING, on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, Royal Air Force, Mediterranean and Middle East has approved the following Non-Immediate Awards for gallantry in flying operations.BAR TO DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Major W. T. Dalling, D.F.C. (105907V)DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.Lieut. A. McAravey. (94288V)(Ref. RHQDAF/2001/2/P/54 d.d. 8.9.44)Para. 315. DISCIPLINE.All personnel returning from hospital MUST report to the Medical Officer and then to the Orderly Room.Para. 316. DUTY SQUADRON.This Unit is Duty Squadron for the week from 07.30 hrs on 18th September to 07.30 hrs on 25th September, 1944.Instructions as laid down in Squadron Routine Order No. 28/44 dated 2. 4. 44 will be complied with.Duty Driver: No. 578602V. A/M. Campbell.Crash Tender Driver: No. 326307V. A/Cpl. Amos. A. J.N.C.O. i/c Fire Crew: ) To be detailed byFire Crew: ) W.O.1. Sinclair. A.Para. 317. SQUADRON MASCOT "JACKIE"A very serious view will be taken of any person found teasing or illtreating the Squadron Mascot "Jackie".(Signed) L.R. Alexander capt.for MAJOR.ACTING OFFICER COMMANDING, 21 SQUADRON, SAAF.

Transcriber's Notes

S.A.A.F
South African Air Force.
R.A.F
Royal Air Force.
D.F.C
Distinguished Flying Cross.
RHQDAF
Rear Headquarters, Desert Air Force.
A/M
Air Mechanic.
A/Cpl
Acting Corporal.
Cpl
Corporal.
N.C.O
Non-Commissioned Officer.

Abbreviations Expanded:

d.d.: Dated.

hrs: Hours.

N.C.O. i/c: Non-Commissioned Officer in charge.

Observations about Individuals:

Location and Modern Name:

Historical Theatre Context:

The Squadron Mascot "Jackie": The warning against ill-treating the mascot provides a humanizing glimpse into the unit's culture. Mascots were common fixtures in frontline squadrons, serving as vital sources of morale and emotional support for airmen facing high operational losses.

AIR 27/270 · The National Archives