21 Squadron War Diary
Pescara, Italy
APPENDIX "D"259SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS NO. 99/44. 21 SQUADRON, S.A.A.F.BYLT. COL. D. ORD, D.F.C.Officer Commanding,21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.25th October, 1944.Para. 353. DISCIPLINE ( GENERAL).A general slackness in discipline on the part of all ranks of the S.A.A.F. in No. 3 Wing has become most noticeable in the past few months and is viewed with grave concern. This is most apparent as regards dress, saluting and misuse of Service transport.DRESS. All ranks when outside the limits of their camps and the aerodrome must be correctly dressed. Caps, berets, or helmets will be worn at all times and American type peaked caps are not permitted. Battle dress blouses will be correctly fastened and red tabs and badges of rank must be worn.SALUTING. Officers will acknowledge salutes smartly and pull up offenders for failing to salute. Attention is directed to (i) SAAF. GRO. 98 para 383 d.d. 19.9.44 and (ii) SAOA/MAAF 410/1 d.d. 28.5.44.SERVICE TRANSPORT. Transport is not to proceed outside unit lines, and the limits of the aerodrome, without a duly authorised route form signed by a competent officer. Attention is also drawn to the regulations regarding the carrying of civilian passengers and the parking, immobilisation and guarding of Service transport.CARRYING OF IDENTITY PAPERS. All other ranks must be in possession of D.D. 239 A when proceeding outside unit lines. Officers must carry Identity Cards or their paybooks D.D. 239 A.Failure to comply with any of the above orders constitutes an offence and the offender is liable to severe disciplinary action. It should be borne in mind that a unit is judged by its discipline, and however good its operational record may be, the public sees only the dress and behaviour of the individual outside his unit lines.(Extract minute 3W/417/2 d.d. 23rd October, 1944).Para. 354. PARACHUTE BAGS — IMPROPER USE OFExcept as provided below, parachute travelling bags are to be retained in unit parachute sections and stores in future and are not to be issued on loan to individuals.When parachutes are taken by individuals on journeys which necessitate the use of a bag for protective purposes, the issue of the bag is to be recorded on Form 667B (Flying Clothing Card) and the individual is to be instructed to return the bag to store immediately on completion of his journey. Whenever an inspection of Form 667B, under the provisions of AIO. All 61/42 reveals that a parachute travelling bag has not been duly returned to store, the omission is at once to be brought to the notice of the C.O. of the station for suitable action to be taken.Any officer or airman found in possession of a parachute travelling bag and unable to give a satisfactory explanation will be placed immediately on a holding charge under Section 11, AFA, in respect of a breach of this order, with a view to trial by court martial. The usual caution should be given, and any statement, whether before or after caution, should be carefully recorded.All ranks are warned that a charge of theft or of improper possession may ultimately be made where investigation indicates that the possession is unlawful.All previous orders on this subject are cancelled, and it is emphasised that parachute travelling bags are to be used for carrying parachutes and no other purposes.(G.R.O. 98 para. 364 d.d. 19.9.44).