DAILY DIARY
1 RADIO DETACHMENT - PRESTON, NOVA SCOTIA
31 Jan 1944 to 31 Dec 1944
31 Jan 44
Operations had a successful and interesting month during January. Quarterly Maintenance was carried on from 3rd January to 8th January, requiring 67 hours off the air. This Detachment was operational each night during that period. Time off air due to breakdowns amounted to 3 hours and 4 minutes, while time off for precalibration check totalled 10 hours, 17 minutes. The maximum range was 108 miles, the longest continuous track, 300 miles, and a total of 991 tracks were plotted.
On 21st January an aircraft which was unable to land at Dartmouth due to fog, was plotted to a spot 30 miles up the north-east coast. The craft was abandoned by the crew who were eventually located within a mile or two of the position last reported by this Detachment.
The equipment in use at this unit is soon to be calibrated so that estimation of heights of aircraft may be obtained.
28 Feb 44
Dull and mild. Work on Recreation Hall and Mess Hall nearing completion. P/O GH Bongard (Accts) held pay parade at 1100 hours. LAC Annett and Cpl Scott Radar Mechanics returned from TD. at Newport Corner, NS. Cribbage and croquinole tournaments held in the Canteen during the evening.
29 Feb 44
Mild with rain. Hockey run to Halifax Forum in the morning. Bowling team won four more points in the Dartmouth Station League. The strength of this Detachment this date is two (2) officers and seventy-six (76) airmen. Four (4) airmen were TOS and three (3) were SOS. No serious outbreaks of illness to report.
February was a busy month at operations. A total of 1183 aircraft were plotted as against 754 aircraft for February, 1943. Maximum range was 116 miles and the longest continuous track 307 miles as compared to 91 miles and 158 miles respectively during the same time period a year ago. No time was lost during February for technical breakdowns. Breakdowns totalled six hours during February, 1944.
Two calibration flights were conducted 9 February. Both were at 15,000 feet and on a bearing of 70 degrees. The aircraft's IFF set was operating but could not be adjusted to the frequency of the transmitter at this Detachment and therefore was useless in identifying th plane. Further flights have been postponed indefinitely.
30 Apr 44
SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL EVENTS
Since Quarterly Overhaul was conducted during the first two weeks of April, the results for the month are below average. However, congratulations were received from the RCAF, Debert for assistance given in locating one of their aircraft (L-112) on the 24th April, with which they had lost contact.
Congratulations were also received from Filter Room, Eastern Air Command Headquarters, for accurate plotting on S-112 carrying an important personage, 30 April and for plotting two fighters (F-114) which were not detected by Dartmouth GCI Detachment, on the same date.
Comparative results with April, 1943 are as follows:
Date | Aircraft Plotted | Maximum Range | Continuous Track | Hours Operational | Assists to aircraft. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
April, 1944 | 743 | 129 | 171 | 459 | 1 |
April, 1943 | 908 | 90 | 90 | 680 | Nil |
21 May 44
However when a westerly wind arose, hundreds of small flames popped up and by noon, the stuation was worse than ever. C60906 F/O Matthews, Assistant Fire Prevention Officer, EAC arrived shortly before noon and sized the situation. One truck load of men soon arrived from RCAF Station Dartmouth, to assist in handling hose and extinguishing small blazes. By 1800 hours two large areas were out but five others were gaining serious proportions. Later several truck loads of men arrived from RCAF Dartmouth and No. 98 CMU, Tufts Cove. Senior Officers accompanied them and the whole situation was taken in hand by C2039 W/C G.M. Ritchie (W&B) EAC. At midnight two more fires were out and a third was being patrolled. Had the wind shifted to the North or East at any time, this Detachment would certainly have been in serious trouble.
22 May 44
Cloudy and cool. Fifteen men continued to control one fire east of camp until 0430 hours. Other patrols began at 0600 hours and by noon each fire was apparently safely out. Two tractors, one from No. 8 CMU and one from Dartmouth began making a fire break around this camp. Extra rations have been received from RCAF Dartmouth to replace those used to feed the additional men for the last few days.
23 May 44
Clear and cool. Patrol of fire area continued during day. Station personnel still feeling effects of fatigue experienced during last three days. Normal results continuing at Operations.
24 May 44
Clear and warm. Paint job begun on washroom in Airmen's barracks. Sports field enlarged on west side and levelled for sports purposes. YMCA movie "Whistling in Dixie" with Red Skelton followed softball game in station league. Bush fire south of station reported. Our crew went at once to help extinguish it. Three Radar Operators and one Radar Mechanic posted to No. 77 Detachment.
25 May 44
Clear and warm. Lawns have been watered. Area surrounding Barrack blocks were levelled, fertilized and seeded to-day. Bush fire areas patrolled again but no signs of fires were noticed. Our first ball game at Dartmouth resulted in a win - Preston 7, No. 129 Squadron 5.
26 May 44
Clear and warm. Normal routine. Forest fire menace is present again but they are more distant than last week end. Continuous watch is being kept for outbreaks close to camp.
27 May 44
Clear and warm. R.157919 Sgt Baker, JHR Fitter Diesel "A" returned from No. 1 KTS Trenton, and posted to No. 9 Detachment, Spider Island, BC, in exchange posting with R154295 Sgt Levesque, JB.
28 May 44
The first thunder storm this year, and the first rain for many days occurred this morning. Open House in afternoon, some wives and friends as visitors at this unit. YMCA movie "Old Acquaintance" starring Bette Davis was shown in the Recreation Hall. F/L Peters, No.16 Detachment, visited Detachment.
29 May 44
Clear and warm. Normal routine. Mechanics from No. 8 CMU checked and adjusted refrigeration units at our request. C.10536 F/L Webster, EAC checked coal supply, and gave advise regarding boot repair service, laundry and clothing parades. Regular game played in Station Softball House league.
31 Dec 44
The strength of this unit at the end of the month is two (2) officers and sixty-three (63) airmen. One (1) officer was TOS, four (4) airmen were SOS and four (4) were TOS One officer on attached duty from No. 25 Radio Unit. No outbreak of illness occurred during the month of December.
Operations was quite satisfactory during the month. The phasing which was carried out during last quarterly overhaul has corrected the DF error on the "A" system. Plots were passed by W/T for three hours when the landline was u/s for 4 hours on the 19th Dec/44. There was one breakdown on 31st Dec/44 which was a combination of faulty triggering and poor modulation.
Date | A/C Plotted | Ave. plots per track | Max. Range | Continuous Track |
Hrs U/S | Assists. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec/43 | 894 | 10 | 116 | 171 miles | 8 mins | 1 |
Dec/44 | 813 | 10 | 136 | 397 miles | 4 hrs | NIL |
(E.A.Huck) F/O
OC. No. 1 RD
PRESTON, NS
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Updated: March 27, 2003