DAILY DIARY
16 RADIO UNIT - EASTERN PASSAGE, NS.
January 1, 1945 to June 30, 1945
During the past month there have been numerous changes of personnel, resulting in a slight overall increase. However there remains a shortage of radar operators whichs tends to make it difficult to allow for leaves and hospitalization or other such emergency. The posting out of F/L PF Peter has disrupted to a considerable extent the experimental work under way in connection with the mobile controlled approach equipment, in which he was very interested. All but one of the technical staff have been posted and replaced with repatriated personnel not yet familiar with the equipment, or wireless mechanics who have had a brief radar orientation course. Naturally, this did not tend to increase operational efficiency.
Trouble is continually being experienced with the unit MT vehicle; the servicing it receives is not adequate, especially in view of the conditions of the roads which it must traverse. One entrance road to the unit has been made passable during the past week by the dumping of several loads of cinders in the poor sections by Works and Buildings, RCAF Station, Dartmouth. However the eastern road by way of Sector is in very poor shape, requiring gravelling and grading in a number of places.
Sports and unit activities are very closely tied in with those of RCAF Station, Dartmouth, on which unit our personnel are quartered. The units volleyball and bowling teams each lost out in the semi-finals played last month and the Radars hockey team, comprised of players from Bell Lake, Preston and this unit were semi-finalists in the station inter-unit hockey league. In addition, the unit was represented on the Dartmouth Station Senior Basketball team.
ESTABLISHMENT: Officers - 5, Airmen - 34.
STRENGTH: Officers - 6, airmen - 45.
Submitted by:
(JAV MacRobert) S/L
OC No. 16 Radio Unit,
Eastern Passage, NS.
Signed:
(CL Trecarten) Group Captain,
CO, RCAF Station,
Dartmouth, NS.
29 Jun 45
Weather intermittent rain, overcast. Total of 32 tracks recorded, 7 showing IFF, maximum range 115 miles, longest track 140 miles, continuity good.
30 Jun 45
Weather warm, CAVU. Total of 39 tracks recorded, maximum range 103 miles, longest track 164 miles, IFF on 9 tracks, continuity fair.
Operation during the past month was normal. A good number of American aircraft (hospital) and Canadian Lancasters returning from overseas, was plotted. Performance of the CHL/GCI equipment and the RH (IFF) Interrogator was considerable improved, as evidenced by the increased overall average maximum range and improved continuity (average number of plots per track).
Work in connection with Project No. R-320 (Ground Controlled Approach Equipment) continues, attention being directed to the conduction of numerous test runs carried out with a view to establishing a recognized GCA procedure, and to the elimination of minor technical difficulties.
The general health of unit personnel continues good; a flower and vegetable garden was planted and progress is to be seen in spite of unseasonably cool weather; the station inter-unit baseball league is not yet fully under way, the combined Service Police-60 ARS- 16 RU team playing only one game which resulted in a victory over the station hospital team.
ESTABLISHMENT: Officers - 4, Airmen - 36
STRENGTH: Officers - 6, Airmen - 41
Submitted by:
(JAV MacRobert) S/L,
OC No. 16 Radio Unit,
Eastern Passage, NS.
Signed:
(CL Trecarten) Group Captain,
CO, RCAF Station,
Dartmouth, NS.
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Updated: April 3, 2003