DAILY DIARY
22 RADIO UNIT - PORT DUFFERIN, NS
1 January 1945 to September 30, 1945
1 Jan 45
RWG Equipment about ready for Operations but no Personnel for Operation. Personnel due to report 6/Jan/45. All water for Unit has to be hauled by truck 2 1/2 miles, which causes a great deal of work and trouble, most of skeleton crew kept busy at this, as only hot water heating system is used on this Unit. Snowing today and turning to wind and rain in the evening.
2 Jan 45
Cleaning up of last details before arrival of personnel. Lawrence Construction Co started on Pipe line project and expected to complete in 2 1/2 months. Clear and mild today.
3 Jan 45
Proceeded to Halifax and Dartmouth for Equipment and Supplies. Private line to Quoddy, NS Exchange hooked up and installed as prior to this no phone communications. Filter line yet to be installed. Cloudy and cool.
4 Jan 45
Chef arrived today, busy checking inventory of mess and procuring rations as personnel expected in 6/Jan/45. Clear and moderate.
5 Jan 45
Setting up Orderly Room and Organization as limited supplies have been received. Rain turning clear & mild in the evening.
6 Jan 45
17 men arrived at this unit from various Units by Bus from Halifax and this was the reporting date for 33 Airmen so apparently some connections were missed enroute. Quarters and Rations available today. Clear and cold.
7 Jan 45
Working parties organized as operations still not under way due to lack of Mechanics. A run to Sheet Harbour for personnel attending church in the evening. Cloudy and cold today.
8 Jan 45
First DRO issued this date. No AFP3 available so some mistakes expected in preparation. A complete list of publications on order but none have arrived. No Bus from Halifax due to bad roads. Trouble with water truck on icy roads but managed to keep enough supply on hand. Snow and rain with heavy wind.
9 Jan 45
Radio Operators are being used on all necessary jobs around the station as operations still not under way. Crew from #8 CMU arrived today to complete installation of H-Carrier (Filter Circuit), also to install interphone system on this Unit. Five airmen reported in from Halifax. This was the first bus in 3 days. Sleet and rain and cold wind.
10 Jan 45
Stack Truck proceeded to Dartmouth and Halifax for Rations and supplies for Unit. Posting dates of Mechanics have been amended and are expected in a couple of days. Trouble with water truck freezing. Cold and clear.
11 Jan 45
Radar Mechanics arrived this Unit. Crew from #1 TSU arrived to install type C-1 Beacon. Testing RWG equipment today. MMMT Cpl arrived today. Vehicles have been driven by other personnel to date. Entertainment run to Sheet Harbour for personnel this evening. Cloudy and cold.
12 Jan 45
Final adjustments being made on RWG. Not much success with water truck today due to freezing, had to load and unload by hand. Visit from Mr AT Freeman, Engineer. Still testing RWG. Clear & cold.
13 Jan 45
Testing with RWG equipment still in process. Run to Sheet Harbour for personnel attending Motion Pictures. Sleet and rain.
14 Jan 45
Very quiet day as no shift work as yet. Moderate with snow.
15 Jan 45
F/O Robinson and personnel attending Medical and Dental parades proceeded to Dartmouth and Halifax, returning with equipment, Rations and mid-month pay for personnel. Roads very icy. Water truck continually sliding off road. Heavy rain turning clear in the evening.
16 Jan 45
Pay Parade for Personnel. Unexpected trouble in Operations due to water seeping over sills. Moderate with occasionally rain and sleet.
17 Jan 45
All necessary personnel have finally arrived. RWG equipment will soon be on the Air continually. A general meeting of all personnel in the evening. Committees were elected for Station Fund, Messing and Library. Mild with rain and clearing in the evening.
18 Jan 45
Final test on Equipment before starting continuous operation. Shifts organized and personnel eager to be on the air. Fair and cool.
19 Jan 45
Operations working well and will go on the air official at 0100 hrs 20 Jan 1945. Meeting of Station fund committee in the evening. Snow flurries clearing later in the day.
20 Jan 45
RWG equipment in operation continuous and working well although plots are not being passed to EAC as Filter circuit is not completed. Crew of men from Bell and Schoffield contracting company arrived to extend chimneys on all buildings. A schedule has been set for MT runs to Sheet Harbour for entertainment for personnel. Clear and cold.
21 Jan 45
Plotting fairly heavy today, results indicate a good site. Clear and cold.
22 Jan 45
Installation of remote line between operations and W/T so plots can be passed by code to filter room at Halifax. Light snow flurries.
23 Jan 45
Schedule arranged for passing of plots which begin tomorrow. Sports equipment was procured on loan from Dartmouth also a small library from the Command Educational Officer. Snow and Rain with heavy wind.
24 Jan 45
Passed first plots by W/T today. System working well and plots were fairly heavy, Filter Officer at Halifax commented on good work. Fire Chief arrived from Debert to assist in setting up the fire equipment at this Unit. Cloudy and cool.
25 Jan 45
Passing plots by W/T again today. The hauling of water is becoming a grave problem as the water truck has to be operated from 12 to 14 hours a day by radar personnel which leaves shifts short handed. Report from superintendent of the Lawrence Construction Company that the pipe line from river should be through within a month. Clear and cold today with strong winds.
26 Jan 45
Plotting fairly heavy again today. Boys reported good time at Dance in Sheet Harbour. People are very co-operative and friendly towards the Air Force Personnel. Clear and very cold.
27 Jan 45
H-Carrier line (Direct line to Filter to EAC) completed today and officially opened at 1600 hrs. Operations good. High wind with snow and fairly cold.
28 Jan 45
Operations good. Result indiate no blind spots. Visit from Mr. George Bell, in regard to extension of chimneys. Rec Hall is now ready for Badminton or Squash. Mild and clear today.
29 Jan 45
Operations working well and good range being obtained. F/O Robinson and 3 Airmen proceeded to Dartmouth returning with equipment and end month pay for personnel. Cloudy with high winds turning to snow in evening.
30 Jan 45
Pay parade for all personnel. Operations good. Plotting fairly heavy. Cloudy and light snow.
31 Jan 45
Inspection of all buildings and found very satisfactory. Operations good. Clear and mild.
(RB ROBINSON) F/O
Commanding Officer,
No 22 Radio Unit,
Port Dufferin, NS
13 Feb 45
Reception fair in morning, good in afternoon and evening. Activity; 28 tracks, 243 plots. Maximum range of 103 miles, longest track 294 miles. Weather was fair and clear. F/L Robinson, CO and Cpl Tracy proceeded to Dartmouth and Halifax for equipment and supplies in the morning, returned at night.
14 Feb 45
Reception fair. Activity: 120 plots, 14 tracks, with a maximum range of 84 miles and the longest track 99 miles. Spotted dog completed today. Clear and cold. Water pump broke down but managed to get another. Inspection of Barracks in morning, Pay-Parade for personnel in the afternoon. Party left for Halifax and Dartmouth to pick up rations and supplies.
15 Feb 45
Overcast with light snow and wind. Activity was good with 235 plots, 42 tracks, a maximum range of 140 miles, longest track 189 miles. Reception was good. Party returned from Halifax and Dartmouth. Personnel attended social evening at Port Dufferin.
16 Feb 45
Reception was very good. Activity was fair, with 5 tracks, a maximum range of 135 miles and longest track 120 miles. Clear and cold in the morning with snow in the evening. A valentine dance was held in the Rec. Hall and a grand time was had by all.
17 Feb 45
Reception good. Activity fair, with 367 plots, 36 tracks, a maximum range of 102 miles and longest track 178 miles. Snow in the early morning, clear the remainder of the day. F/S McFarland taken on strength. Sgt Caldwell and Cpl Thomas arrived from #1 TSU to instal RH equipment and F/S Poley arrived from EAC to inspect telephones. Advised by signal of Commanding Officer's promotion to A/F/L eff 1 Feb/45. Entertainment run to Sheet Harbour in the evening.
18 Feb 45
Reception good, 629 plots, 55 tracks, maximum range of 112 miles and the longest track 380 miles. The AOC in C personally congratulated the operators of this unit for the excellent and accurate plotting of a Liberator A/C, which was making an attack on a submarine. Cold in the morning, turning milder with snow in the afternoon. Entertainment in Sheet Harbur in the form of Supper dates was much appreciated by number of number of personnel.
19 Feb 45
Reception good. Activity good with 621 plots, 58 tracks, maximum range of 125 miles and the longest track 440 miles. Clear and cold. Truck left in the morning to pick up RH equipment for new installation. Water line to admin. Building frozen.
20 Feb 45
Reception good. Activity good, with 1006 plots, 74 tracks, maximum range of 136 miles and the longest track 505 miles. Clear and cool today. Work is being resumed on the water tank. No transportation on station. Stake Truck broken down in Dartmouth. Equipment arrived on borrowed RCAF truck.
21 Feb 45
Reception good. Activity light in the morning and fair in the afternoon, with 278 plots, 24 tracks, maximum range of 125 miles and longest track 175 miles. Cloudy with light snow in the morning. Clear and cold in the afternoon. Party left in the afternoon with borrowed RCAF truck to pick up rations and supplies at Halifax and Dartmouth. Still no transportation on Unit. Water line thawed, and Administration Building now supplied with water. Inspection of Barracks and Buildings.
22 Feb 45 Mild and overcast with water. Reception fair. Activity poor, with 114 plots, 11 tracks, maximum range of 71 miles and the longest track 258 miles. Rations and supplies arrived from Halifax and Dartmouth. 23 Feb 45 Raining with fog in the evening. No activity in the morning, reception good and activity fair in the afternoon and evening with 46 plots, 5 tracks, maximum range of 149 miles longest track 148 miles. EAC truck forced to stay today because of bad roads.
11 Mar 45
Fair, overcast in the morning, and clearing in the afternoon. Reception good. Activity light with 118 plots, 21 tracks and a maximum range of 87 miles and the longest track being 128 miles. Spotted dog completed in the morning. Personnel attended church in Port Dufferin. Captain Golden and Pte McIntosh returned to Dartmouth having completed Dental work on the Unit.
12 Mar 45
Mild and clear, turning colder in the evening. Reception good. Activity good in the morning and fair in the afternoon and evening, with 431 plots, 42 tracks, maximum range of 100 miles and longest track 164 miles. Movie held in the evening.
13 Mar 45
Overcast with snow and rain. Poor reception. No activity in early morning or late evening. Reception fair and activity fair for the remainder of the day. With 70 plots, 12 tracks, maximum range of 157 miles, and the longest track 110 miles. F/L Brennan and Party returned to #1 TSU, Debert having completed installation of RH equipment. F/L Robinson and Cpl. Tracy left in the morning for Halifax and Dartmouth to pick up Pay and supplies and returned in the evening.
14 Mar 45
Cool and clear. Reception good. Activity only fair, 198 plots, 24 tracks, maximum range of 108 miles and the longest track 145 miles. Two A/C plotted behind station inland at a range of 108 miles, with good reception. Inspection of Barracks and Buildings in the morning. Pay parade for personnel held in the afternoon.
15 Mar 45
Clear and mild. Reception good. Activity fair with 256 plots, 36 tracks, maximum range of 103 miles and longest track 270 miles. Spotted dog completed in the morning.
16 Mar 45
Mild becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Reception good and activity good, with 463 plots, 48 tracks, maximum range of 108 miles and the longest track 172 miles. S/L Bright, Senior Medical Officer, arrived from Dartmouth for Station inspection. St. Patrick's Dance was held in the evening and a grand time was had by all.
17 Mar 45
Mild and hazy in the morning, clearing and becoming colder in the afternoon. Reception good in the morning, poor in the afternoon and evening. Bad interference on tubes due to climatic conditions. Activity was light with 143 plots, 16 tracks, maximum range of 140 miles and the longest track 190 miles. Spotted dog completed in the morning. S/L Bright (SMO) returned to Dartmouth and was very satisfied with the station.
18 Mar 45
Cloudy with fog and rain, clearing in the evening.Reception good. Activity poor in the morning and improving in the afternoon. 313 plots, 21 tracks were recorded with a maximum range of 106 miles and the longest track 309 miles. Tried to locate a missing Canso in the morning with no results. Canso later came into Sydney. Corrected grid on PPI and range now satisfactory. LAC Schutzman stricken with acute appendicitis and was rushed by the Unit MT to dartmouth for operation.
19 Mar 45
Clear and mild. Reception was good and activity was good, 567 plots, 54 tracks, maximum range of 107 miles and longest track 250 miles. Code no. 12 in effect at 1100 hrs. A number of Airmen from Unit attended a Requiem High Mass (RC) in Sheet Habour held in memory of an RCAF Officer, from that Town who was killed overseas. Word was received from Dartmouth Hospital that LAC Schutzman's operation was successful. A movie was shown in the evenig with guests from Sheet Harbour in attendance.
20 Mar 45
Clear and mild, turning to rain in the late afternoon. Reception good, activity good for the daylight hours and fair for the remainder of the day. There were 462 plots, 36 tracks recorded with maximum range of 178 miles and the longest track 278 miles. Code 20 in effect at 1100 hrs. Landline dead from 1737 to 1747 hrs. and from 1804 to 1805 hrs.
19 Apr 45
Heavy fog in the morning lifting in the afternoon but remaining cloudy. Reception was good. Activity was fair in the morning, fairly heavy in the afternoon with 575 plots and 50 tracks recorded for the morning. The maximum range was 114 miles and the longest track was 220 miles. Spotted dog was completed in the morning. In the afternoon there was fairly heavy flying in this area. Searching for missing Mosquito A/C. F/L Robinson and partry returned with rations and supplies.
20 Apr 45
Fair. Reception was good and activity very good with 1147 plots and 95 tracks. The maximum range was 177 miles and the longest track 746 miles. Code #2 in effect at 1800 hours. The movie "Tonight and Every Night' was shown in the evening to personnel and their guests.
21 Apr 45
Cloudy with rain. Reception was good but activity was very light with 98 plots and 11 tracks. The maximum range was 122 miles and the longest track was 104 miles. There was an entertainment run in the evening for personnel attending the show in Sheet Harbour.
22 Apr 45
Overcast with fog. Rain and snow. Reception was good but activity was very poor. There were only 14 plots and 2 tracks recorded with a maximum range of 127 miles and the longest track 52 miles. Personnel attended chruch in Quoddy and Port Dufferin, NS.
23 Apr 45
Overcast with rain in the morning, clearing in the afternoon and becoming windy. Reception was good. Activity was poor in the morning and fair in the afternoon. 346 plots and 23 tracks were recorded with a maximum range of 107 miles and the longest track 232 miles. A movie was shown to personnel in the evening.
24 Apr 45
Overcast with light rain. Reception was good but activity was light with 260 plots and 24 tracks. The maximum range was 113 miles and the longest track was 180 miles. Code No 7 in effect 0800 hrs. Entertainment run in the evening to Sheet Harbour.
25 Apr 45
Cloudy with fog in the morning. Reception was good and activity fair with 264 plots and 22 tracks. The maximum range was 161 miles and the longet track was 210 miles. F/L Robinson and party proceeded to Halifax and Dartmouth for Pay, Rations and Supplies. Inspection of Barracks and Buildings.
26 Apr 45
Overcast with fog drifting inland. Reception was good but activity was light with 79 plots and 7 tracks. The maximum range was 127 miles and the longest track was 165 miles. F/L Robinson and party returned with Pay, rations and supplies.
27 Apr 45
Cloudy with fog and rain. Reception was good but activity was light with 152 plots and 17 tracks. Maximum range was 106 miles and the longest track was 190 miles. The movie 'Music for Millions" was shown in the evening.
28 Apr 45
Windy with rain and fog. Reception was fair but no activity was recorded . A dance was held in the evening at which the premature announcement of peace rumours was celebrated.
1 Sep 45
Clear and warm. Reception good, activity nil. Operations ceased today at 2359 GMT. A dance was held in station recreation hall for F/O Henry who was retired.
2 Sep 45
Heavy wind and fog. Church run to Sheet Harbour in the morning for the RC's and the evening for the protestant personnel.
3 Sep 45
Clear and sunny. Duty run to Dartmouth for Equipment. F/O Henry left on retirement leave this date.
4 Sep 45
Clear and sunny, slight winds. Entertainment run to Sheet Harbour.
5 Sep 45
Clear and sunny, calm. General meeting called of station Personnel. Ration run to Dartmouth.
6 Sep 45
Clear and sunny. Duty run to Sheet Harbour for Rations. Normal routine.
7 Sep 45
Clear and sunny. Duty run to Sheet Harbour. Movie held in Stn Rec Hall for personnel and guests. All Service Police Personnel posted from unit this date.
8 Sep 45
Clear and sunny. Duty run to Moser River for supplies. A Stag party was held for personnel and followed by a Dance which was a huge success.
9 Sep 45
Clear and sunny. Normal station routine. Church run for RC's to Quoddy and one to Sheet Harbour in the evening.
10 Sep 45
Cloudy with light fog. Duty run to Halifax for supplies. Movie held for Station Personnel.
11 Sep 45
Cloudy with heavy mist. Normal station routine. Duty run to Sheet Harbour.
12 Sep 45
Heavy fog and light rains. Several postings and discharges for this unit today. Duty run for Dartmouth at 1500 hrs. for Rations.
13 Sep 45
Heavy fog clearing to sunshine and scattered clouds in afternoon. Commanding Officer left for Dartmouth to collect Pay and equipment. Ration run from Halifax returned at 2200 hrs. Normal activity.
14 Sep 45
Sunshine, turning cooler at night. No show arrived tonight. A meeting was held in the Canteen for all station personnel. Pay parade was held today.
15 Sep 45
Sunny and clear all day, cooler at night. Dance was held in Rec Hall, a good time had by all.
16 Sep 45
Sunny and clear, turning cool at night. 2 Airmen posted to Newfoundland.
17 Sep 45
Sunny, clear and very cool. Show arrived today, enjoyed by all. Duty run to Dartmouth.
18 Sep 45
Clear and sunny. G/C Trecarten and S/L Bright SMO of RCAF Stn Dartmouth visited this unit today on inspection. Two revolvers reported missing from Unit Storeroom. Airmen were interviewed in this respect.
19 Sep 45
Heavy rain and fog turning mild at night. Duty run to Dartmouth. F/L Robinson, and Airmen returning equipment. Two Airmen were apprehended in connection with missing revolvers at RCAF Station Dartmouth. Party from #1 TSU Debert for dismantling Equipment.
20 Sep 45
Sunny, clear and mild. Normal station activity.
21 Sep 45
Weather, overcast in morning and continuing throughout the day. Airmen working dismantling Equipment and packing for shipment. Duty run to Sheet Harbour. Show in Rec Hall for Airmen and guests.
22 Sep 45
Sunshine all day, turning cool at night. Duty run to Sheet Harbour. Normal routine.
23 Sep 45
Sunny, very cool at night. Church run to Quoddy and one to Sheet Harbour.
24 Sep 45
Clear and sunny all day with light mist at night. Duty run to Dartmouth. Stake Truck U/S at #60 ARS A Two Ton Stake Truck was taken on loan at this Unit from Workshops.
25 Sep 45
Heavy overcast with fog and mist. Dismantling of Equipment progressing satisfactorily.
26 Sep 45 Heavy overcast today and mild. Equipment run to Dartmouth. Normal activity. 27 Sep 45 Sunny and clear. F/L Robinson proceeded to Dartmouth for Pay today and check on supplies for unit. 28 Sep 45 Clear and sunny. Pay Parade today. Ration run required to stay an extra day at Halfax due to no issues by RCASC yesterday. Received signal today confirming this. F/L Robinson posted to EAC eff 3/Oct/45. 29 Sep 45 Sunny and clear. Normal routine. Dance was held in Canteen and a huge success. 30 Sep 45 Sunny and clear with high wind. Church runs to Quoddy and Sheet Harbour. Show in evening for personnel and guests held in Rec Hall. (RB Robinson) F/L,
This page is located at
http://www.pinetreeline.org/rds/detail/rds22-4.html
Updated: June 13, 2004
Commanding Officer,
No. 22 Radio Unit, Port Dufferin, NS.
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