21 Squadron War Diary
Cuticchio, Sicily
SQUADRON ROUTINE ORDERS. No. 74/43. 21 Squadron, S.A.A.F., C.M.F.ByLT. COL. J.F. BRITZ, D.F.C.Commanding Officer,21 Squadron, S.A.A.F.C.M.F.22nd September, 1943.Para. 261. AERODROME & CAMP AREA DEFENCE.
(A) ALARMS:- The following alarms will be used in this Squadron (and throughout 3 Wing).
Air Raid — Siren.
Chemical — Rattle.
Paratroops — Short blasts on whistles.
Airborne troops — Beating on tin cans or shell cases.(B) On the sounding of "air-raid" or "Chemical" alarms, the normal action will be taken, e.g., Slit-trenches, gas equipment, etc.GROUND DEFENCE SECTIONS.2. (A) Three mobile Sections will be formed for ground defence purposes as follows:-
Section No.1. : Flight Commander, Deputy Flight Commander, 3 N.C.O's and 10 other Ranks at "A" Flight.
Section No.2. : Flight Commander, Deputy Flight Commander, 3 N.C.O's and 10 other Ranks at "B" Flight.
Section No.3. : Armament Officer, Capt. Dugmore, 3 N.C.O's, and 10 Other Ranks at Armament Section.(B) Static Defence Sections will be formed as follows:-
(a) Ops. Tent : Senior Intelligence Officer and Staff and 10 Air-crew officers.
(b) Armoury : Lt. Kay, 1 Senior N.C.O. and 10 Other Ranks.
(c) "T" Stores : "T" Stores Officer, 1 Senior N.C.O. and 10 Other Ranks.
(d) H.Q. Flight : Squadron Engineer Officer, 1 Senior N.C.O.ARMS AND AMMUNITION.3. The following arms have been allotted to each Section:-
(a) Mobile Sections : 2 Tommy Guns and 10 Rifles each.
(b) Ops Section : 2 Tommy Guns and 3 Rifles.
(c) H.Q. Flight, "T" Stores and Armoury : 1 Tommy Gun & 3 Rifles ea.ORGANISATION AND TRAINING AT SECTIONS.4. Officers in charge of Defence Sections are personally responsible for the organisation and Training of their sections and will ensure that their sections are up to strength at all times.ACTION.5 (1)(a) Paratroops:- Upon the sounding of the "Paratroops" alarm the following action will be taken IMMEDIATELY:-(b) All Defence Sections as detailed in Para. 2 above will proceed to the Q.M. Stores where Section Commanders will take charge and arm their men.(c) The Static Defence Sections will then proceed to their Defence Stations as detailed in Para. 2(B).(d) The Mobile Defence Sections will go to the Sqdn. Ops. Tent and await instructions from Wing Operations.(e) All Air Gunners, W.Op. Air Gunners will proceed to their respective aircraft. The ten gunners mounting their guns and the W.Op Air Gunners the B.V.G's in strategical manner in front of the aircraft.P.T.O.