DAILY DIARY
19 RADIO DETACHMENT - GANDER, NEWFOUNDLAND.
May 5, 1944 to November 30, 1944
5 May 44
Thyratron became so hot that insulation at right side took fire. Put out fire. Gave cover a thorough cleaning and replaced it. Circulation of air about registors seems very poor. Cut hole in the cover to give better circulation of air.
6 May 44
O/C early but cleared by mid morning. Very quiet around the station with no aircraft flying. The TCA (our mail carrier) is sadly missed. S/O Haysom again visited this unit. Shift of RO's who came off at noon returned in afternoon as work party. Cleaned up a lot of extra wood lying around the station. Only 36 tracks in 24 hours. When Tx run up after Daily Maintenance noticed a unsteady pulse on grid bias. Found and repaired broken banana plug in Grid Squegg compartment.
7 May 44
It is very quiet around the Officer's Mess in the evenings with the aircrew lads away. A bright sunny day. Plotted calibration A/C from #14 and #17 detachments. F/L RW Ganong and Sgt Ingram senior RO working alternate nights and all days until F/L CE Hill returns. Although we were glad for F/S Moore, our senior R/M, that he got his posting, we all regret to see the genial and efficient Flight move on. He is one of the last of the "Originals" of this detachment. LAC Gardiner also left today on posting to Baggotville. Cpl Zarnke won $50 Victory Bond in our detachment raffle.
8 May 44
This is the fifth clear and sunny day. No. 1 runway is now serviceable for Fighter A/C. Had a co-op with sector in the morning but it was spoiled by Red section (fighters) having to pancake because of engine trouble. One co-op exercise called off in the afternoon because of faulty R/T equipment on the A/C. F/S HC Cummings of 4 RD arrived and worked on matching and phasing the aerials. Work parties are coming out to the detachment every afternoon now to continue clean-up. TCA has resumed schedule into Gander - the mail is back on schedule again, which makes everyone happy. Large work parties on the runways are improving them at a good rate. All subscriptions for the Victory Loan were completed today with sales of $3700 for a quota of 3200. This 115% of the quota seems like a pretty good show. C25641 F/O MJ Jackson (Sigs Radar) from EAC visited the detachment.
9 May 44
Another warm beautiful day. Phasing and matching continued with very good results so far. SW ratio on all feeders approximately 1 to 1.1. Have not checked the power distribution to the arrays yets, but results to date are very satisfactory. Crews did quite a large amount of cleaning up the station while phasing was taking place. Sector is trying to arrange 4 interceptions a day - 1/2 we will co-op by vectoring target - other half we will do GCI work. Dusk patrol took form of an interception - reception good - exercise at angels 6 - tally-ho made. 6000v condenser in HR slightly leaky - signalled #4 RD to forward replacement.
10 May 44
Seventh nice day in a row - quite a record for Gander. Reception and height checks good all way round on dawn patrol. Power distribution to 25:10' arrays about 1 to 1.45 after working on it for a while. About 1 to 1.38 ratio to 12 1/2:7 1/2 arrays. This is just under the required figure but by using a matching stub and improving the ratios it was found that the phasing was poor.
1 Jul 44
Rain and overcast at dawn, but clearing to a warm sultry evening. Very few tracks during the day. Replaced a 2V3G PPI power supply.
2 Jul 44
Solid overcast this morning. Plotted Liberator of 10 Squadron with one engine gone to base where it was diverted to Stephanville. Overcast cleared towards evening and became clear and bright . One track with range of 97 miles plotted in NE area.
3 Jul 44
Very clear with bright moon in early morning. Heavy tracking all morning with aircraft in direction of Azores. Later in morning had calibration test flight with aircraft (Hurricane) range 30 miles making circle around Detachment. Height readings were fairly accurate with aircraft at 12,000 feet. Another calibration check made at 25 miles with very good reception and readings on both arrays. Ran two successful practice interceptions in the afternoon. Very heavy traffic in evening headed towards UK - 97 tracks on the evening shift.
4 Jul 44
Heavy traffic during 0200 to 0900 shift headed towards UK - 71 tracks altogether. Increased spurious echoes hampered plotting operations somewhat. Passed plots for successful interception by Sector this morning. Replaced burnt out tube in H/R power supply - not off the air. Airmen from Detachment had softball game against the mess - a league game - and defeated the Messmen with the happy score of 11 - 3.
5 Jul 44
Overcast sky today with some rain in the morning. Very little local or transient aircraft tracks. Party of nine aircrew from 11 Squadron visited the Detachment today.
6 Jul 44
Almost solid overcast at dawn today with a very heavy ground fog. No co-ops with fighters as ground fog continued throughout afternoon. Very few tracks during the day. Three Catalina aircraft coming from Dartmouth landed at Gander Lake without our getting a plot on them. Found they had been flying very low and for last several miles at almost tree tops height.
7 Jul 44
Cool with low overcast in the morning gradually improving during the day. Very heavy traffic during the afternoon with many arrivals of aircraft from Canada. Filter reported an "X" raid at 1700 hours GMT - sector sent fighters to investigate. Diodes in the switching unit were replaced today, improving reception slightly. Basketeers of Gander beat us badly 22 - 9 in league softball game today.
9 Oct 44
Twenty seven American aircraft of 46 heading for Azores called in for IFF checks and all were confirmed. By morning we had light rain and heavy overcast with only light traffic in the area. R/T U/S for part of the evening as leads to plugs broken apparently by telephone installation crew.
10 Oct 44
It is still raining with dull leaden sky. Very few aircraft in the neighbourhood - all of which by passed the station.
11 Oct 44
Station remains closed in though prospects for a break in the weather strengthened as light wind shifted to west. Light tracking in area. Total of 28 aircraft plotted - with no outstanding ranges. Twenty five minutes abnormal maintenance when 25:10/12.5 :7.5 aerial switch (spring) broken. Replaced with new switch. R138955 Daigle JA A/Cpl (UP) SP (C) reported on posting from Debert, NS
12 Oct 44
Break in weather brought increased traffic and over 100 tracks plotted during afternoon and early evening, mostly US tactical aircraft coming in from west on first leg of trip overseas. Held unit sports parade this afternoon with fifteen airmen in attendance. Concentrated mostly on borden ball as winter schedule to get under way shortly. Good workout for all who attended.
13 Oct 44
High overcast during early hours becoming clear before moderate westerly winds. Heavy traffic continued as over 100 aircraft plotted in from west. An American C54 enroute overseas and passing through the area, showed what we interpreted as BIF checked through approach control but aircraft advised cockerel crowing on code 1. Advised aircraft to have IFF checked on arrival at destination. Thyratron firing both tubes simultaneously - 6V6G found gassy and replaced. Not required to go off air. R65876 Sgt Guppy WRW, SP (C) reported on posting from Debert to replace 10090 Sgt Lacombe F who will depart as soon as possible.
14 Oct 44
Clear during early hours with high overcast forming in late afternoon and light rain in evening. During early hours of morning 17 B17's departed to UK the first such traffic in some time to that point. All checked in for cockerel test through this detachment and all equipment found completely serviceable. The first 100% performance all round.
15 Oct 44
Storm warnings up at 0100 hours. Winds of gale proportions moving NE from Maine, USA. Winds to 59 MPH prevailed throughut afternoon but caution with turning gear made it unnecessary to go off air except for 40 minutes during mid-afternoon. Only light traffic in area with no outstanding tracks or ranges. 10090 Sgt Lacombe F SP (C) departed on posting to Debert, NS.
16 Oct 44
Fifty US tactical aircraft to Azores in early hours of morning. Twenty five requested IFF checks - all satisfactory. Most of those which did not request check comprised B24's some of which are not equipped with VHF R/T. Off air 1100 hours for quarterly overhaul by Sgt R Powell and party of No 1 TSU. All operators with exception of skeleton crew on pass, the first which circumstances have permitted in some time. R/H equipment left on air during evening and graveyard periods in order to accommodate US aircraft departing overseas which might call for IFF checks. Overhaul on turning motor and all components of antenna completed today. Found coil leaking between pulley shaft and bearing in gear unit.
30 Oct 44
Overcast during early hours, becoming broken to CAVU by night. High winds steady at 55 mph and gusting to 80 mph forced us to adopt beaming operations from 0805 to 1250 hours, with tower locked down. Wind strong enough to smash bar across double gate at unit entrance, together with chain and padlock. Repairs made during afternoon. Increased range of PPI tube from 55 to 60 miles and installed new mask to corresponding scale. R140379 LAC Armstrong, RE RAD/M (G) out to Canada on special leave, where he expects to join the ranks of the Benedicts.
31 Oct 44
CAVU and quite cool - a typical Hallowe'en. A busy session this afternoon as American aircraft came in from the west. Over 100 tracks plotted during the day, a good ending to a comparatively slack month. Fourtenn minute technical breakdown when HT rectifier 218 burned out and was replaced. Blasting of our rock pile to southeast of tower just about completed with general levelling being done. Unit officer commanding, S/L CE Hill back in harness today after being released from hospital, October 30th.
MONTHLY SICK REPORT
Sick parades - 4
Hospital Admissions - 2
Hospital Days - 31
(CE Hill) S/L,
OC #19 Radio Unit,
Gander, Nfld.
1 Nov 44
Somewhat cloudy and o/c in early hours and then clearing to CAVU with light Westerly Winds. Normal day for tracking - a total of 80 tracks, some of them being B17's from the West. VHF R/T u/s this afternoon and evening when blasting near Gander Station Transmitters damaged some land lines. Repairs effected and R/T serviceable by midnight. Blasting of our own rock pile to south and southeast of compound completed as men and equipment away from the site today.
2 Nov 44
Another beautiful day - CAVU and almost warm. Genuine Indian Summer and really appreciated. Normal tracking continues with a total of 75 tracks and max. range 70 miles. Weather apparently unsettled as departures of tactical a/c cancelled. S/L CE Hill, OC unit inspected barracks of unit personnel preparatory to CO's inspection tomorrow. An ideal time for our OC to bid goodbye to all boys, as he leaves tomorrow for Dartmouth in continuance of retirement proceedings. Personnel presented S/LHill with leather brief case. S/L Hill's words on receiving gift: Quote, I cannot promise I'll use it boys, I would rather preserve it as a memento of the very happy months spent at No 19, Unquote.
3 Nov 44
CAVU for third consecutive day. Makes one glad to be alive even in the Gander. Heavy tracking of a/c of all types - over 130 tracks with max. range of 78 m. Forty a/c departures to Azores with 27 requests for IFF checks. All satisfactory. S/L CE Hill, OC unit, departed for Dartmouth by A/C today. A very definite loss to this unit, for as OC and a personal friend of all personnel, they do not come any better. We wish him well on his return to civilian life. During absence of Technical Officer, F/O WH Noble on furlough, unit administration and technical matters being sutervised by 10 BR Squadron Radar Officers. R188621 LAC Sommerville, FA Welder "C" posted to No 21 RD, eff Nov 9/44 after 23 months in Gander.
4 Nov 44
CAVU continues with moderately heavy tracking - 90 tracks for the day. Six American tactical A/C to Azores tonight - four of them asking for and receiving positive and satisfactory IFF checks. All round reception rather poor this evening. Heavy display of Northern Lights may have had some effect. Amendment to Unit Establishment received today deleting positions of four operations controller (fighter) and authorizing technical officer to be unit OC Victory Loan still under quota as $2850.00 purchases to date. $450.00 in bonds yet to go.
28 Nov 44
R72656 LAC Riley, CG reported on TD from #1 TSU to discuss secret equipment needs and to pick up copy of secret inventory. No 3 diesel developed loud knocking - apparently bearing or piston at fault. Check being made at once. Will probably operate satisfactorily for short period.
29 Nov 44
Overcast, with moderate, northerly winds during day. By night, light scattered cloud, cool and bright monlight. Moderate traffic in area with improvement of general reception. No 3 Diesel operative but close check being exercised. Unit basketball team defeated by Gander Administration five by score of 35 - 22, after our boys were again leading at the half-way mark.
30 Nov 44
Generally o/c during the day after a bright moonlit night. Storm warnings posted advising of winds of fresh gale proportions over island by dawn tomorrow. Heavy traffic today with total of 80 tracks, some of which were tactical a/c bound for Azores. Twenty-one IFF checks requested, all satisfactory though one a/c had to return to base for new equipment as original set proved to be u/s. The new equipment checked well on a/c's second departure. Gander Station W/C Operations inspected the unit today with highly satisfactory reports. Unit Borden Ball team came through with a 9 - 8 win over 10 BR NCO's. At that, our boys were nearly nipped in the last three minutes of play.
Sick report for period:
Hospital admissions - 1
Hospital days - 2
Sick reports - Nil
(WH Noble) F/O,
for Commanding Officer,
RCAF Station,
Gander, Nfld
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Updated: April 8, 2003