DAILY DIARY
20 RADIO UNIT - SYDNEY, NS
February 1, 1945 to June 20, 1945
1 Feb 45
Weather clear and cold. Operations quiet. Orderly Room busy compiling the monthly returns.
2 Feb 45
Weather overcast with scattered snow flurries and light wind. IFF turning gear repair occupying the technical personnel's time at this Unit.
3 Feb 45
Weather cloudy with snow & strong winds. LAC O'Kell, P and LAC Paulsen, LR, both Radar Operators, posted to Nos 42 & 43 Radio Units respectively.
4 Feb 45
Weather overcast and cold. Very limited flying. The usual quiet Sunday.
5 Feb 45
Weather overcast with light snow. IFF turning gear operational again at 1900 hours, the repair being very successful; operations improved over previous performance. Heavy interference from Lousiburg observed on the equipment today. Cpl. Batten, NM, Radar Mechanic, posted overseas.
6 Feb 45
Scattered clouds and cool today. Code I IFF observed on track U112, and broad IFF on track B146.
7 Feb 45
Clear weather today with considerable flying activity. 32 tracks were plotted in the afternoon, and 23 of these were showing IFF - high percentage of IFF attributed to movement of bombers overseas.
8 Feb 45
Weather cold with light winds and snow in the late afternoon. Heavy movement of bombers overseas again observed.
9 Feb 45
Cold today with a heavy snowfall which blocked the roads to the Unit. Unit warned of an approaching storm by Meteorological Section, and at 1400 hours strong winds necessitated locking the aerials at 235 degrees - normal operations resumed at 1650 hours.
10 Feb 45
Weather cold and overcast, and the road to the Unit is still blocked after yesterday's snow storm. Three Radar Operators reported from No. 19 Radio Unit today - LAC's Christopherson, W, MacNeil, HA, and Tomasson, WL N 146 picked up 60 miles South West of Yarmouth, and tracked to the coast of Newfoundland by the various Radar Units along the coast. Sydney complimented by Filter Officer for its work on latter part of this track which was finally faded at 105 miles - 15 degrees.
12 Jun 45
The weather today was rather poor with rain in the forenoon clearing somewhat in the afternoon but remaining overcast with high winds prevailing. The thyratron turning gear became quite hot during the early evening, this being due to the high winds - it was not necessary however to resort to restricted operations. Due to the adverse weather there was practically no flying and operations were at a standstill.
13 Jun 45
The good weather returned today being clear and warm with unlimited visibility. The OC of the unit held a meeting of all NCO's of the detachment drawing their attention to the increased need of a general tightening up of discipline and other matters pertaining to the efficient operation of the unit. Increased traffic due to the aircraft returning from overseas - reception being quite good. The unit ball team continued to lead the station league - the ball game of last evening resulted in a score of 10-6 in favour of the unit - 8 CMU being the opposing team.
14 Jun 45
The fine weather of yesterday continues today being fair and quite warm. The OC attended the CO's conference this morning - the only point pertaining to this unit was the matter of the number of men to be supplied to the CO's parade - one complete watch from all sections is to be detailed. A signal was received today indicating that former school teachers could submit applications for release if they desired to return to school teaching - none of the personnel so qualified of this unit were interested. A signal was received late this evening that several Radio Units were to disband - 20 R.U. being one of them. Definite instructions were not available as to the disbandment procedure of this unit but it is indicated they will follow later. Returning aircraft continue to be the large item of operations.
15 Jun 45
The day began with a clear sky and unlimited visibility but turned somewhat overcast in the late afternoon. We were informed today by a signal from EAC that this unit is to cease operations at 2359Z 20 June. S/L Slee GW of No 1 TSU Debert NS is to visit us in the near future to discuss disbandment procedure. The entertainment committee held a meeting today to make plans for a final party to be held before the dispersal of the unit personnel. Operationally the unit was quite busy with very good reception - several ranges well over the hundred mark being recorded.
16 Jun 45
The weather today changed being overcast in the forenoon turning to intermittent rain throughout the afternoon and evening. S/L Slee, GW arrived from No 1 TSU today. He outlined the propsed disbandment plans for this unit although nothing official has been received as yet. The unit ball team is now in second place in the station league - this was brought about by another win from 162 squadron. There was little local flying today with only a small number of overseas aircraft being recorded.
17 Jun 45
The weather continued to be overcast and cool today. With the pending closing of the unit the orderly room was unable to take the day off but instead spent it checking the inventories and files to get them in readiness for the closing. Operations throughout the day were very quiet.
18 Jun 45
The day began with an overcast sky later clearing and becoming quite warm in the late afternoon. F/Sgt Bartlett, the senior NCO of the unit reported back off leave today. Filter line gave some trouble in the evening - trouble traced to a fault at Halifax, this was cleared up at 2230 hours. Operations were fairly busy with returning Lancaster constituting the main movement.
19 Jun 45
The weather today was much improved over the last few days - being clear and warm with unlimited visibility. The personnel of the unit to be used to dismantle the equipment were notified today and the remainder were made available for posting. The unit ball team played their last ball game losing it 18 - 17 to 8 CMU. The first postings for the unit personnel were received late today - Cpls LaChambre and O'Neil being posted to EAC headquarters. Local flying was on an increased scale possibly due to the fine weather.
20 Jun 45
The weather today was clear and warm. The operations of the unit drew to a close at 2359Z today on authority of EAC's SR 75 dated 15 June/45. All personnel being transferred to the main station effective 21 June.
Hospital Report
Sick Parades - 3
Admissions - Nil
Hospital Days - Nil
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Updated: April 8, 2003