DAILY DIARY
8 RADIO DETACHMENT - Sea Island, BC.
1 Jan 1943 to 31 Dec 1943
1 Jan 43
STRENGTH:
Officers 1; Attached: 1
OR 51 ; Attached: 11
Weather: Partly overcast, calm, visibility fair. No aircrew available for caibration flight, due to New Years leaves. Half of Station personnel were on 24 hours New Years pass. Equipment working smoothly.
2 Jan 43
Weather: Partly cloudy, calm, fair visibility. Calibration flight attempted, aircraft obtained 10,000 feet but had to land due to fog which prevented the pilot from seeing land. Weather continued snowy and overcast during the day.
3 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, light snow flurries, poor visibility, SE wind. "D" crew on shift from 1200 to 1700 hours. Plotted 16 tracks with a total of 166 plots and a total number of 302 miles plotted.
4 Jan 43
Weather: Calm, cool, overcast, visibility poor. 6 airmen were selected for Station Defence Course, but the course was postponed and airmen returned to duty. Heavy interference noticed on tubes due to atmospheric phenomena.
5 Jan 43
Weather: Cool and overcast. Command Radio Officer, F/L Hanson, accompanied by F/O McKinty inspected Station, check results of calibration and performance of equipment.
6 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, light rain, visibility poor. Intermittent open circuit in filament lead caused removal of trace on H/R tube but corrected itself.
7 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, mild with little wind, poor visibility. Calibration flight attempted but was called off due to bad weather.
8 Jan 43
Weather: Calm, foggy, visibility nil. Height normal switch became u/s and replacement was affected so height finding could be continued.
9 Jan 43
Weather: Skies overcast, visibility poor. Equipment working well.
10 Jan 43
Weather: Calm, foggy, visibility poor. Trace disappeared again on H/R tube and the cause of the intermittent short was located. (in the cathod circuit)
11 Jan 43
Weather: Calm, sun shining but foggy - very little flying, confined to local areas. No calibration possible.
12 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, inclement and foggy. R14 (Revised) submitted on LAC Weallens (to acting Corporal) and Cpl Hall to acting Sergeant towards filling establishment of NCO Operators. All personnel shown film on VD.
13 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, foggy and cool. Two ACs in Station Hospital due to minor local ailments.
14 Jan 43
Weather: Cool, overcast, windy. Station Defence Plan being organized involving three gun emplacements, gas detectors and training of all personnel in use of rifles, sten guns and anti-gas equipment.
15 Jan 43
Weather: Clear, with very high wind, calmer in afternoon. P/O Schneider, Officer Commanding the Detachment proceeded to #7 Detachment, Patricia Bay for two days temporary duty, reporting this date, authorized WAC P940 d/11/Jan/43. P/O Meltzer left in charge. Gantry locked down at 0200 hours due to gale and released at 0930 hours. Calibration flight scheduled from 1330 hours took off at 1430 hours. Bolingbroke #9024 used. Aircraft airborne 10 minutes when it had to land due to engine trouble. Bolingbroke #9033 took off at 1630 hours. Aircraft at 10,000 but not able to go higher due to no oxygen. Pilot same as in first flight was specifically instructed to go to 20,000 feet and to provide oxygen. Aircraft called at 1645 hours - engine trouble - returning to base
16 Jan 43
Weather: Clear and cold in afternoon. Calibration flight ordered for 1030 hours but held up due mainly to trouble witht R/T in aircraft. Aircraft took off at 1430 hours - instructed to fly at 20,000 feet - reached 18,000 feet but had to come down for 15,000 feet for lack of oxygen. Were not able to find aircraft until it was returning - picked up at 67 miles and confirmed at 65 miles. R/T communication was poor. Aircraft had to come down to 10,000 feet, at 27 miles because of lack of oxygen. The flight was however satisfactory.
17 Jan 43
Weather: Clear and cold. P/O Schneider returned from #7 Detachment. Equipment working well. Calibration flight taken. Aircraft airborne at 1100 hours. R/T communication improved and test fairly good. Western Air Command have signalled requesting that a log be kept on calibration flights stating reasons for no flights, to be forwarded to WAC weekly
18 Jan 43
Weather: Cold, overcast, snow flurries throughout day, poor visibility. Two RDF Mechanics and four RDF Operators on Station Defence Course. No calibration flight possible due to bad weather. One Security Guard remustered to aircrew. (WAG)
19 Jan 43
Weather: Cold, overcast, heavy snow, blizzard. No calibration flight possible. Received chapters I to IV inclusive SDC(01) from WAC, by hand of officer from #9 CMU. P/O Meltzer signed there for these documents.
20 Jan 43
Weather:Cold, overcast, snow flurries. No calibration flight possible. Amendments to chapters I to IV SDC (01) and to Vocabulary, CAP 10, Sections 10RA to 10RH being installed. No aircraft plotted on tubes. Runways at airdrome almost completely snowed in.
21 Jan 43
Weather: Slightly cloudy in am, clearing up in pm. Very cold. Runways snowed in in am. No calibration flight possible. No aircrew available for flight in afternoon. Aircraft being fitted out with oxygen for calibration flights. Chapters I to IV SDC (01) returned to WAC as requested by RO1. Returned by hand of officer.
22 Jan 43
Weather: Cold overcast with snow flurries. No calibration flight possible. Equipment in good working order.
23 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy during am, clearing up about noon. Due to heavy icing conditions no calibration flight possible. VT98 IG positive, so valves were removed and replaced.
24 Jan 43
Weather: Skies clear, visibility good. Calibration flight scheduled for 1445 hours. Due to R/T trouble aircraft unable to take off until 1600 hours. Flight successful, although atmospheric conditions were such that the response from aircraft on RX H/R CRT was limited, and considerable fading encountered. Equipment was in good working order. Calibration flight was carried out at altitude of 12,000 feet. Higher altitude was not possible due to aircraft which has oxygen equipment installed in it being unserviceable. Aircraft used - Bolingbroke #9033.
25 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, calm, snowing heavily. No calibration flight possible today, due to above weather conditions. TX tripping this morning. This was found to be caused by HT arcing from main rectifier valve to R2 (Multiplier resistor). An insulator was placed between these two points, which stoped the tripping.
26 Jan 43
Weather: Calm, clear until 1000 hours becoming cloudy and overcast. Runways on main station u/s during morning and when serviceable weather was too bad for calibration flight.
27 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast with some rain, and snow. No calibration flight possible. Modulator unit went u/s, a number of resistors and valves were affected. Replacements were made successfully.
28 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast. No calibration exercise possible. Equipment in good working order. Further amendments to RWG diagrams and equipment changes received. (amendment list #4).
29 Jan 43
Weather: Heavy fog in am, clearing in pm and calm. Calibration flight held at 1530 hours, held up by poor R/T contact. Contact was lost completely at 1615 hours. Flight held at 19,500 feet and we were unable to plot aircraft until return leg.
30 Jan 43
Weather: Calm and foggy, ceiling low, very poor visibility, clearing up in afternoon. Calibration flight carried out at 1500 hours. R/T contact with aircraft very poor. #32 OTU, Patricia Bay, BC complained that our R/T call was interfering with their frequency. TX at Highbury was checked. Once more the aircraft was only plotted during the return leg of the flight. IFF was plotted on the tube at a range of from 70 to 81 miles and a bearing of 140º to 150º.
31 Jan 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast throughout day, no calibration flight possible. 4 RDF Operators (Ground) posted to #13 Detachment, Amphitrite point. Two A/Cpls RDF Operators (Ground) posted to this Detachment from #13 Detachment reporting 31/Jan/43. Received signal that bush leave and travelling time granted these two NCOs by authority WAC.
STRENGTH:
Officers 1; Attached: 1
OR 48; Attached: 11
(G Schneider) Pilot Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 Feb 43
STRENGTH:
Officers 1; Attached: 1
OR 48 ; Attached: 11
Weather: Cloudy, overcast, light rains, visibility poor. No calibration flight possible. Six airmen on Station Defence Course. 1 LAC Operator promoted to the rank of corporal. 1 LAC Mechanic promoted to to the rank of corporal.
2 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast during am, fairly clear during afternoon. Bolingbroke A/C #9060 used for calibration flight. Ceiling limited flight to 10,000 feet. Results not very satisfactory. Equipment in good working order.
3 Feb 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast, rain all day. No calibration flight possible. W/C SL Gray, S/L HB Norris and S/L ID Watson of Western Air Command inspected opertional facilities of detachment.
4 Feb 43
Weather: Foggy until 1130 hours. #147 Squadron on movement to Tofino. No aircraft available for calibration flight. Shorted condenser in thyratron caused considerable heating in the unit and caused a shutdown.
5 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy, low overcast, rainy all day. Filament current meters on transmitter made serviceable once more. A/C volt meter on Tx also repaired. Exhaust fan installed in Rx room provides good ventilation. Four RDF Mechanics (Ground) reported for duty from #3 Repair Depot, Vancouver.
6 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy in am, clear later in day. Calibration flight scheduled for 1300 hours was called off due to U/S instruments in aircraft. No further flight possible. Power transformer in monitor unit U/S and had to be replaced. Transformer used in RDF Equipment (REL Make) seem to be of an inferior construction and are not moisture proof. Considerable trouble has been experienced since going operational. Main HT Retifier valve (Type 218) in Tx went U/S after an excellent life record of 2200 operating hours.
7 Feb 43
Weather: Foggy in am, cloudy and overcast in pm. No calibration flight possible. Water installation by Dominion Constuction Company is held up due to wet condition of grounds in compound area. 1 Corporal RDF Operator (Ground) posted to #1 "Y" Depot. New CRT installed in Monitor unit of TX.
8 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast. No calibration flight possible. 6 airmen on Station Defence course.
9 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast. No calibration flight possible. Carton of RDF replacement parts received from #17 Equipment Depot.
10 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast, no calibration flight possible. F/L Mitchner, Officer Commanding at #2 MU and P/O Bowen, RAAF, visited on official business.
11 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast in am, clearing in pm for two hours. No a/c available for calibration flight during clear period.
12 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast with fog in am, clear in afternoon. BC Telephone Co making inquiries regarding installation of phones in Operations Room to filter room, etc. Senior NCO Radio Mechanic on annual furlough. Calibration flight scheduled in afternoon. Bolingbroke #9042 was used. Due to the aircraft TX being off frequency, no contact was made with the a/c and as a result the flight was unsuccessful.
13 Feb 43
Weather: Foggy and overcast in am, poor visibility throughout the day. No calibration flight possible. W/C Thomas, RAF, visited Detachment for inspection of facilities for practice interception. Two A/Cpl Operators reported for duty.
14 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy, low overcast all day. No unusual occurences.
15 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy, low overcast all day. No unusual occurrences. Equipment in good working order.
16 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast all day. Ten RDF Operators (ground) posted to #10 Detachment, Cape Scott, effective Feb 16, 1943, reporting to Coal Harbour Feb 17, 1943. Due to lack of transportation facilities posting of these men delayed, reporting Coal Harbour Feb 19, 1943 for further transportation. No calibration flight possible.
17 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast. No calibration flight possible. Directional accuracy of antenna array checked by Station Navigation Officer. Error of 1 1/2º (Negative) was found.
18 Feb 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast. No calibration flight possible today. Seven days compassionate leave granted LAC Walker, AW, Security Guard.
19 Feb 43
Weather: Low clouds, considerable haze all day. Due to unfavourable weather conditions no calibrating possible today. This Detachment was visited today by the following Officers, all carrying Special Temporary Pass, Form R193 issued by F/L Hansen, Command Radio Officer: F/O I Mudrick, WAC HQ; P/O GF Bates, #27 RCAF Detachment; P/O FC Delaney, #10 RCAF Detachment; P/O WNA Balmer, #9 RCAF Detachment. P/O G Schneider, Officer Commanding this detachment promoted to T/F/O as at September 13, 1942 (AFRO #232, dated 12/Feb/43). P/O DB Meltzer on attached duty from WAC promoted to T/F/O as of 26/Dec/43 (AFRO 232 dated 12/Feb/43).
20 Feb 43 Weather: Heavy fog in morning, clearing slightly at noon. Intermittent ground fog and haze during pm. No calibration flight possible. Knob assembly on HRO RT RX defective and repaired. Short in reset jack of overload relay caused low voltage on anodes of valves in control unit, and also causing relay coil windings to become overheated and inoperative. Current in V22 and V23 being checked every half hour to prevent any damage resulting to RF unit of RX with overload relay u/s. 21 Feb 43 Weather: Heavy low clouds and light intermittent rain during morning. Skies clear and visibility good all afternoon. A/C used for calibrating (9117 Bolingbroke) in use calibrating Bendix DF Rotatable loop; therefore no flight possible for this Detachment. Some trouble experienced today with improvised socket for H/R tube. Group Captain WE Bennett, Commanding Officer, RCAF Station, Sea Island, BC and S/L GJ Moon, visited Detachment today on tour of inspection. 22 Feb 43 Weather: Clear and mild. Visibility excellent, ideal for calibration flight but #147 Squadron have no a/c available. AC1 Martin (RDF Op (G)) posted to #1 RDF School on compassionate grounds. Phoned Command Radio Officer re lack of a/c for calibration purposes with a view to transferring responsibility for calibration from #147 Squadron to #8 Squadron. 23 Feb 43 Weather: Clear, calm with good visibility during afternoon. #147 Squadron shall have no further aircraft available for use in calibrating this Detachment. #8 BR Squadron contacted but no a/c obtained. F/O I Mudrick, P/O Bates and P/O Loomis, WAC radio officers inspected detachment. 24 Feb 43 Weather: Calm and clear. Visibility excellent. #8 BR Squadron still unable to provide an a/c for calibration. Performed complete overhaul of aerials. Di-electine spacers badly cracked and missing. No replacements available despite hastening action. 25 Feb 43 Weather: Clear and mild. Visibility excellent. No aircraft available on Station. Five RDF Ops (G) posted to this Detachment from #3 Repair Depot effective today, reporting 26/FEB/43. General spring cleaning of Station grounds undertaken and completed by security guards and technical personnel during off duty periods. 26 Feb 43 Weather: Clear and mild. Visibility good. No aircraft available for calibration work despite excellent weather. Five RDF operators (Ground) posted this Detachment from #3 Repair Depot. Completing the planned establishment for Diesel personnel for this Detachment, 2 Diesel Oilers (attached to Coal Harbour from #3 Repair Depot) posted to this Detachment. Detachment visited by S/L N Eaton, Command Signals Officer, F/L RB Hansen, Command Radio Officers (pass forms R192 in order) and also S/L Norris (WAC Operations) and F/O McGee (RO2 WAC). 27 Feb 43 Weather: Clear and mild. Visibility good. No calibration flight possible due to lack of available aircraft. F/O G Schneider, Officer Commanding Detachment on leave. F/L DB Meltzer in charge. Considerable IFF medium band at six seconds picked up between 124º and 160º at ranges from 40 to 68 miles. One track of broad band IFF showed at 145º from 60 - 68 miles. IFF plotted through ground ray into station (visually confirmed to be American P40). 28 Feb 43 Weather: Clear and calm, visibility good. #8 Squadron have received no work re calibration. No flight possible. STRENGTH: Officers 1; Attached: 1 OR 54; Attached: 6 (DB Meltzer) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 Mar 43
Weather: Clear and mild, visibility good. There is evidently some delay in notifying No 8 Squadron re calibration as no action as yet been approved.
2 Mar 43
Weather: Clear and mild, visibility good. No 8 Squadron have received word from Western Air Command and calibration work to commence forthwith. 4 RDF Operators (Ground) arrived on posting from No 3 Repair Depot, Vancouver, BC, 1 Diesel Fitter "C" Group, from RCAF Station, Sea Island. Carton of RDF secret equipment arrived from REL Toronto, via Security Express.
3 Mar 43
Weather: Low flying fog during morning, clear during afternoon. BC Telephone men, Mr Falconer in charge, installed private line #320 to Filter Room at #2 Group HQ, Belmont House, Victoria. First plot passed at 2350 hours.
4 Mar 43
Weather: clear, mild, visibility good in afternoon. Calibration Flight carried out but due to failure in R/T flight was unsuccessful as there were a large number of aircraft flying and were unable to identify the calibration aircraft.
5 Mar 43
Weather: Clear and calm, visibility good. Two calibration exercises carried out. R/T contact was again very poor, resulting in much confusion.
6 Mar 43
Weather: Clear and mild, good visibility. Calibration flight carried out at 180º T. R/T contact poor beyond eleven miles. Further flight during afternoon cancelled - all aircraft available on search and bombing exercises. Road in compound area being moved for camouflage reasons. Work on installation of water works recommenced and progressing well.
7 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy, high overcast. No calibration flight. No unusual occurrences.
8 Mar 43
Weather: Clear and mild, visibility excellent. Calibration flight carried out at 8000 ft 125ºT, and was fairly successful. No aircraft available for flight during the afternoon. Work on water installation proceeding favourabley. Detachment visited by S/L Norris, S/L F Douglas, F/O Byrne, F/O Sherk covered by proper R193s. F/O Sherk to be present during coming week as GCI Controller.
9 Mar 43
Weather: Clear, mild, visibility excellent. Calibration flight carried out in am but due to fault developed in equipment flight was unsuccessful. P/O Beckett here on visit. (#10 Detachment). F/O Scherk reported here on TD from #7 Detachment, Patricia Bay. He is a GCI Controller, and is here to become familiar with the operational aspects of this Detchment.
10 Mar 43
Weather: Clear in pm and visibility good. Calibration carried out. Faulty UT98 in TX. Performance excellent after valvle changed.
11 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy, low overcast. No calibration flight possible. F/O Schneider returned from Annual Leave and resumes Command. Conference held with Command Radio Officer re changing of PPI for GCI work.
12 Mar 43
Weather: Low, heavy clouds with light rain all day. No calibration flight possible. C14877 P/O JH Davies posted to No 8 RCAF Detachment, Supy to Establishment, for experience, effective and reporting today. This Detachment was visited today by the following: F/O DK Bland from WAC HQ, F/O AS Ideson from #2 MU, P/O JH Muncaster from #2 MU, Sgt EB Saunders from #2 MU. All carried proper passes Form R193.
13 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy during am, mostly clear with few scattered clouds during pm. Calibration flight carried out during afternoon.
14 Mar 43
Weather: Low heavy clouds with intermittent rain all day. Visibility poor.
15 Mar 43
Weather: Clear, mild, visibility good. No aircrew available for calibration flight. Work on installation of water supply held up by break in water line, work on drainage ditches surrounding compound area nearing completion. Equipment in good working order.
16 Mar 43
Weather: Clear, mild, visibility good. No aircrew available for flight. F/O Byrne GCI Controller reported in from No 7 Detchment and proceeded on annual leave. F/O Sherk ceased TD here, reported to No 7 Detachment, Patricia Bay.
17 Mar 43
Weather: Clear with poor visibility in am and good visibility in pm. Flight carried out with Bolingbroke 9026 at 20,000 ft. Remote control on HRO receiver installation complete and much more effective. Diesel motors being checked re abnormal fuel consumption and photographs taken of affected parts. Shell Oil Company, per Mr. Burnett, check fuel and lubricating oil. P/O J George, P/O W Sawyer, visited Detachment from WAC Headquarters. Visit covered by proper R.193 passes.
18 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and cool, low overcast. No calibration flight possible. Water installation completed and water system now in use both at Guard House and Operations Building. Work completed on moving road and cutting drainage ditches in compound area. Range of 75 miles attained at 300º on DC3 Bomber heading north. Plots were confirmed by filter room and ranges found to be accurate. Visual confirmation made as aircraft passed overhead.
19 Mar 43
Weather: Heavy, overcast in am, clearing slightly at noon. No calibration flight possible due to weather limitations. Secret radio equipment removed from Ballantyne Pier and replaced at this Detachment, completing assembly taken from Station 50 at a previous date. This action carried out in accordance with orders from Western Air Command.
20 Mar 43
Weather: Clear with fog in AM, visibility good in PM. 1 airman in hospital with measles, remainder of airmen living in same barracks room under observation of SMO. One airmen under sanitary confinement as a result of St. Vincent Angina, by order of SMO. The origin of this infection hasn't been confirmed. No aircrew available for calibration flight.
21 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and cool in AM, overcast, ceiling 5000 ft., visibility limited. No calibration flight possible.
22 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast, low ceiling, poor visibility. Raining in early morning. Calibration flight made impossible due to weather conditions.
23 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast with some precipitation, poor visibility. No calibration flight possible. F/O Meltzer delivered a talk to personnel on the subject of recruiting of WD personnel. He advised personnel that girls desiring to join should not be discouraged by people already in the Service. F/L Mitchell of #2 MU and F/O D Bland of WAC visited the detachment this morning on a routine inspection. Gantry locked in afternoon due to high winds interfering. F/O G Schneider, OC # 8 Detachment has been promoted to the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant, eff March 1/43, authority, WAC. Lt Col Kingham, F/Lt Armstrong of Command inspected Security Guard and found everything in order.
24 Mar 43
Weather: Overcast with some rain in morning. No calibration flight possible.
25 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast in morning, clearing up slightly in afternoon. RDF Mechanics and operators trade tested. No calibration flight held because of this.
26 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast with some precipitation. No calibration flight possible.
27 Mar 43
Weather: Overcast, heavy rain falling steadily. No calibration flight possible.
28 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy, overcast. Occasional rain. DC 3 Bomber plotted bearing of 40º to range of nearly 50 miles. Height readings confirmed as approximately correct by filter room. Documents received from WAC.
29 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast, poor visibility. No calibration flight possible. Five airmen charged with gambling were severely dealt with.
30 Mar 43
Weather: Overcast with heavy precipitation. No calibration flight possible. Detachment visited by F/L Mitchell and F/L Mechener of #2 MU and F/O Mudruk of WAC for inspection.
31 Mar 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast. No calibration flight possible. J4787 F/O Byrne, WP, reported in today to take over Command of No 8 Detachment. Posting was effective Mar 1/43, reporting Mar 5/43. F/O Byrne has been on temporary duty at #7 Detachment and later on annual leave.
STRENGTH:
Officers 3; Attached: 1
OR 58; Attached: 2
(WP Byrne) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 Apr 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast with heavy rains. No calibration flight possible. Station was off the air most of the afternoon as telephone men were making changes in the Receiver Room. Work has been recommenced on the construction of the road to the detachment which was suspended due to lack of gravel.
2 Apr 43
Weather: Clear in the early morning but clouding later in morning. Heavy rains falling intermittently during the day. No calibration flight possible. Worm gear in reducer unit and shaft broke at 0730 hrs this morning. Station was forced to go off the air and awaiting replacment being flown from Patricia Bay. 1900 hrs replacements arrived from Pat Bay for reducer unit. Repairs carried out. Still off the air at 0000 hrs 3rd. Repairs supervised by F/L Schneider.
3 Apr 43
Weather: Partially cloudy in early am. Visibility unlimited. No calibration runs made due to absence of aircrew (lectures) in the am, operational requirements in the pm. All repairs completed and on the air at 0200 hrs. Detachment visited by F/L Roberts of DD RDF and F/L Hanson CRO of WAC. Off the air for maintenance from 1435 to 1540 hrs.
4 Apr 43
Weather: Somewhat cloudy, visibility fair. Clouding over in pm. No calibration flight possible.
5 Apr 43
Weather: Overcast, cloudy, poor visibility. No calibration flight possible. No unusual occurences.
6 Apr 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast, poor visibility. No calibration flight possible. Detachment visited by F/O McGee, F/O Mudrick, F/O Maudsley from WAC. F/O Maudsley has just been posted to WAC after serving in England and Egypt and was becoming acquainted with Canadian Operations. Station was in #2 State of Alert this afternoon for several hours. All guards on this detachment doubled and full precaution taken.
7 Apr 43
Weather: Overcast, very poor visibility with some precipitation. No calibration flight possible.
8 Apr 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast, clearing slightly later in day. No calibration flight possible. Air Commodore Hull, AOA, WAC, visited this Detachment today but was refused admission because he did not have the necessary pass.
9 Apr 43
Weather: Clear and sunny. Few scattered clouds. Visibility good. No calibration flight possible as we have been off air intermittently to allow for telephone installation in RX room.
10 Apr 43
Weather: Very clear, visibility unlimited. Calibration flight attempted. Pilot turned back when RT contact lost. Interception also attempted but a failure due to RT inefficiency, aircraft not contacted.
11 Apr 43
Weather: Very clear, calibration flight was held today and turned out very successfully. F/O Mawdsley reported for duty. Posted from WAC as supernumary Radio Officer pending opening of #33 RD.
12 Apr 43
Weather: Clear and sunny, visibility good. No calibration flight as no aircrew available.
13 Apr 43
Weather: Clear and sunny, visibility good. No aircrew available for calibration flight.
14 Apr 43
Weather: Clear and sunny, visibility good. No aircrew available for calibration flight. (C12600) F/O DB Mettzer who has been attached to this detachment from WAC left today to assume duties as OC #26 Detachment, Langara Island,BC.
15 Apr 43
Weather: Clear and sunny, visibility good. No aircrew available today for calibration flight. (C11170) F/O R Harland arrived today on temporary duty as calibration officer.
16 Apr 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast with slight precipitation. No calibration flight possible. (C3547) F/O IM Mawdsley posted from this detachment to #7 RD Pat Bay, effective 17 April, reporting 18 April.
17 Apr 43
Weather: Heavy low clouds with light rain all day. No calibration flight possible.
18 Apr 43
Weather: Low overcast, light rain, visibility poor. No calibration flight possible.
19 Apr 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast in early morning, clearing later in day. Calibration flight attempted by crew under F/O MacDonald posted here from Pat Bay.
20 Apr 43
Weather: Overcast and cloudy with some precipitation. P/O Neilson and Sgt Pell of 2 MU visited the detachment this afternoon. No calibration flight possible due to weather conditions.
21 Apr 43
Weather: Unsettled with some precipitation. Calibration flight attempted in afternoon. F/O MacDonald and crew of one calibration ship visited detachment to watch operations.
22 Apr 43
Weather: Scattered clouds, becoming overcast in afternoon. Calibration flight attempted in the afternoon. F/O West was forced to return due to weather conditions.
23 Apr 43
Weather: Overcast in morning with heavy rain, clearing later in afternoon. No calibration flight possible.
24 Apr 43
Weather: Unsettled. No aircraft available for calibration. Interception attempted with two fighters. Target visible for most of the time but fighter faded after very few minutes.
25 Apr 43
Weather: Clear, excellent visibility, scattered clouds at times. F/O Clarke visited Detachment from Command HQ. No calibration flight possible as aircraft and crew unavailable.
26 Apr 43
Weather: Raining quite heavily in morning, clearing up later in day. Preparation completed to commence quarterly overhaul.
27 Apr 43
Weather: Clear in the morning becoming cloudy and overcast in afternoon. Detachment went off the air at 0900 hrs this morning for quarterly overhaul. F/O Harland is in charge of overhaul for #2 MU.
28 Apr 43
Weather: Clear and sunny, becoming overcast later in day. Station still off for quarterly overhaul.
29 Apr 43
Weather: Quite clear with few scattered clouds. Overhaul still in progress. F/L Michiner, Sgt Ronson of #2 MU visited Detachment today to conduct some tests with portable ASV equipment.
30 Apr 43
Weather: Overcast. Quarterly overhaul still in progress.
STRENGTH:
Officers 3; Attached: 1
OR 58; Attached: NIL
G Schneider F/O for
(WP Byrne) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 May 43
Weather: Scattered clouds. Quarterly overhaul still in progress. No calibration flight possible.
2 May 43
Weather: Clear but partly overcast. Quarterly overhaul still in progress. No calibration flight possible.
3 May 43
Weather: Clear, good visibility. No calibration flight possible due to Quarterly overhaul.
4 May 43
Weather: Overcast, low clouds. Quarterly overhaul still in progress. No calibration flight possible.
5 May 43
Weather: Overcast, low clouds, almost continuous precipitation with poor visibility. Quarterly overhaul still proceeding. No calibration flight possible.
6 May 43
Weather: Scattered clouds throughout the day, visibility excellent. Still on Quarterly overhaul. No calibration flight possible.
7 May 43
Weather: Overcast at first, clearing later. Quarterly overhaul completed at 1330 hours. Test Flight at 15,000 feet, circles at 10 and 20 miles range. Back on air to Filter at 1700 hours. No calibration flight possible. Michner, OC #2 MU visited Detachment.
8 May 43
Weather: Overcast at first, clearing mid morning. Test flight made at 15,000 feet, 35 mile range. Flight abandoned when half circle completed due to lowering cloud ceiling. Detachment visited by S/L Norris of WAC and F/L Graham of Tofino Ops. No calibration flight possible.
9 May 43
Weather: Clear. Test flight at 30-mile range completed. No calibration flight possible.
10 May 43
Weather: Clear and visibility excellent. No calibration flight, all such postponed until new aerial system installed.
11 May 43
Weather: Clear at first but overcast with lowering clouds later. No calibration flight.
12 May 43
Weather: Unsettled at first, clearing. No calibration flight. Sgt Frith reported on three days TD from WAC. F/L Stewart reported for three days TD from #2 MU.
13 May 43
Weather: Overcast at first, clearing later. No calibration flight.
14 May 43
Weather: Overcast, low clouds. Filter line u/s at 1040 hours. Telephone Company and Station Signals notified. Trouble cleared at 1110 hours. Detachment visited this morning by S/L HB Norris, S/L AM Yuile, and F/L WA Stroud of WAC. F/L Stewart returned to his parent unit, #2 MU today.
15 May 43
Weather: Cloudy during am, clearing slightly at noon. No unusual occurrences.
16 May 43
Weather: High broken clouds during am, visibility fairly good. Pm slightly overcast with some haze.
17 May 43
Weather: Clear. No calibration flight. S/L Norri and S/L Yuile and F/L Stroud of Command visited Detachment. Test flight at 15,000 feet, range 35 miles.
18 May 43
Weather: Clear and cloudless. No calibration flight.
19 May 43
Weather: Clear, excellent visibility. Check flight made.
20 May 43
Weather: Clear. No calibration flight.
21 May 43
Weather: Almost continuous precipitation throughout day. No calibration flight. Dummy exercise arranged and carried out with sector.
22 May 43
Weather: Overcast, very low clouds, heavy precipitation, clearing at noon. No calibration flight. Dummy exercises this Detachment. F/L Howard (W&B) visited Detachment for purpose of building modifications.
23 May 43
Weather: Clear, later becoming overcast. F/O Thompson, Signals Officer of RCAF Station, Sea Island, visited Detachment for purpose of repairing phone. No calibration flight.
24 May 43
Weather: Clear at first, cloudy later with slight precipitation. No calibration flight.
25 May 43
Weather: Clear and cloudless. F/L McKinty, GRO, F/L Stewart, #2 MU, and F/L Shephard, #2 MU, visited Detachment for purpose of experiment with aerial. No calibration flight.
26 May 43
Weather: Cloudy but good visibility. F/L McKinty, F/L Shephard, and F/L Stewart still working on Detachment. Interception (practice) carried out on this Detachment in conjunction with sector. No calibration flight made.
27 May 43
Weather: Cloudy at first, clearing later. Practice interception took place under sector. No calibration flight made.
28 May 43
Weather: Slightly overcast. Practice interception took place under sector. F/O AD Solomon reported on posting from #10 Detachment, Cape Scott. F/L Stewart and F/L Shephard, #2 MU, continuing experiments on aerial array to arrive at definite system for checking aerials at quarterly overhaul. No calibration flights made.
29 May 43
Weather: Cloudy and overcast, slight precipitation. No calibration flight.
30 May 43
Weather: High overcast with slight haze. A track of 488 miles recorded.
31 May 43
Weather: Overcast, slight precipitation before noon. F/L Michener, OC #2 Maintenance Unit, and F/L JP Bovard, Armament Section WAC Headquarters, arrived for installation of demolition system and work started on same. No calibration flights.
STRENGTH:
Officers - 3; Attached - 0;
Other Ranks - 50; Attached - 1
(WP Byrne) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 Jun 43
Weather: Clear and scattered clouds. Warm. Visibility good. Modification E2/2 installed previous date was not entirely satisfactory and experiments conducted to rectify condition of improper DC Restoration and interaction of vertical shaft controls and gain control of pos of trace. In afternoon, a successful interception was conducted.
2 Jun 43
Weather: Heavy overcast and continuous precipitation. F/L Mitchell visited Detachment in morning regarding equipment at 1100 hours. Commanding Officer, RCAF Station, Sea Island, visited Detachment for inspection.
3 Jun 43
Weather: Scattered clouds at first, clearing later in the day. Test flight conducted successfuly at 10 and 20-mile ranges at 20,000 feet. RT contact poor at times. Lecture given by F/O Byrne in morning to personnel on Operations Room Procedure. F/L J Howard, Works and Buildings, Sea Island, and Messrs HE Simpson, RA Knight, BC Electric, visited the Detachment for purpose of checking up on installation of commercial power supply. Successful practice interception flights took place in afternoon.
4 Jun 43
Weather: Scattered clouds and slight haze. Test flight was not conducted due to RIT failure on aircraft. Reference para 14, DRO #153, d/3 June, 1943, RCAF Sea Island; paras 4-13 inclus Air Force Act were read to Station personnel by F/L Schneider. Lecture on DR given to ops personnel by OC. Interception attempted by Sector. Target not seen by this Detachment.
5 Jun 43
Weather: Clear at first, overcast later in day. Group execise attempted interception. No control help given by this Detachment due to RT failure. F/O Thompson, Signals Officer, visited Detachment to tune in RT. RT transmission and receptions obtained about 1600 hours. No calibration flight.
6 Jun 43
Weather: Clear and cloudless. No calibration flight.
7 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. Test flight successfully completed at 20,000 feet, 35-mile range. Exercise put on by Group through Sector. Interception of Target aircraft successfully made under control of this Detachment. S/L Nash, Senior Station MO, visited Detachment to check sanitation and ventilation. No calibration flight.
8 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. Two exercises put on from Sector. Control of aircraft given this Detachment after target had landed. No calibration flight.
9 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. Requested Sector for fighters to have interception practice. No craft forthcoming as exercise from Group expected. Exercise fell through in am. G/C Bennett, Station CO, visited and inspected Detachment, stood by all afternoon to cooperate with Sector on an exercise. Not called upon to intercept although target spotted.
10 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. No calibration flight. Exercise with flying contol and Sector - successfully carried out. F/L Mitchell, of #2 MU, brought out equipment and party for installation of five-bay aerial system.
11 Jun 43
Weather: Cloudy at first, clearing later. No calibration flight. Party here from #9 CMU to repair Diesel Unit #1.
12 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast, slight precipitation. Detachment visited by OC, #2 MU, and F/L Shepherd.
13 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast all day, light rain. Installation of five-bay aerial system started today.
14 Jun 43
Weather: Cloudy, rain at first, clearing mid-morning. No calibration flight. Off the air at 1325 hours for installation of five-bay aerial system. Group authorization for above, Sector notified.
15 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast, slight precipitation. No calibration flight. Detachment off the air for installation of new aerial. F/L Schneider posted to AFHQ. P/O Loomis arrived on attachment from #7 Detachment, Patricia Bay.
16 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast. No calibration flight. Still off air for installation. F/O Clarke, P/O Clarke, and P/O Matheson of WAC visited Detachment. F/L Shepherd of #2 MU visited Detachment.
17 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast with heavy precipitation at first, clearing before noon. No calibration flight. Still off air for aerial installation.
18 Jun 43
Weather: Clear at first, becoming overcast by mid-morning. No calibration flight. Still off air for installation of aerial. F/L Michner, OC of #2 MU, visited Detachment to check installation.
19 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast. No calibration flight. F/L Michner and F/L Shepherd of #2 MU visited Detachment relative to installation of aerial system.
20 Jun 43
Weather: Clear at first, becoming overcast later. Slight precipitation. No calibration flight.
21 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast, heavy and almost continuous precipitation. No calibration flight. P/O Loomis posted to 3 WS.
22 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast, slight precipitation. Still off air for installation. Back on air telling plots to Filter at 1899 hours.
23 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast, very slight precipitation. Off the air at 0800 hours, tunig of new aerial array. On the air for "telling" purposes at 1800 hours.
24 Jun 43
Weather: Overcast, very slight precipitation. Off the air at 0800 hours, tuning of new aerial array. F/L Michner of #2 MU visted Detachment for purpose of checking aerial installations crew. On the air at 2200 hours for "telling". No calibration flight.
25 Jun 43
Weather: Off the air at 0800 hours for aerial matching. On air at 1700 hours. No calibration flight.
26 Jun 43
Weather: Off air at 0800 hours. On air at 1700 hours. No calibration flight.
27 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. No calibration flight. Off the air at 0830 hours for tuning. On the air at 2130 hour.
28 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. Off the air at 0900 hours. No calibration flight. On the air at 1800 hours.
29 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. No calibration flight. Off the air at 1000 hours. On the air at 1700 hours.
30 Jun 43
Weather: Clear. No calibration flight. Off the air at 0900 hours. Commanding Officer visited Detachment for inspection. On the air at 1730 hours.
STRENGTH:
Officers 2; Attached: 1
OR 60; Attached: 1
(WP Byrne) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 Jul 43
Weather: Clear. No calibration flight. Off the air at 0920 hours for continued tuning of new aerial array. On the air at 1730 hours.
2 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds low. No calibration flight. Off the air at 0830 hours for tuning of new aerial array. P/O Metcalfe, G, reported to Detachment as supernumerary officer from #27 Detachment. F/L G Schneider reported back from leave. On the air at 1730 hrs.
3 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast, heavy precipitation at first. Weather clear with scattered clouds by noon. Overcast again in late afternoon. No calibration flight. Off the air at 0900 for further phasing of aerials. P/O Metcalfe left for isolation leave. Back on air at 2130 hrs.
4 Jul 43
Weather: Ovecast. Off air for daily maintenance at 1015 hours, on the air at 1130 hours. No calibration flight. DR exercise carried out.
5 Jul 43
Weather: Cloudy, clearing before noon. Off the air for phasing of aerials at 0840 hrs. F/O Solomon reported for duty from Cape Scott as supernumerary technical officer. No calibration flight. DR practice interceptions carried out with "B" crew. On the air at 1730 hrs.
5 Jul 43
Weather: Cloudy. No calibration flight. Off the air at 0900 hrs for continued phasing of new aerial array. DR practice and lecture on organization of fighter command given to operators on duty by OC. On the air at 1730 hours. Detachment inspected by MO.
(note: 2 different entries for 5 Jul)6 Jul 43
Weather: Clear at first, clouding over at noon. Off the air at 0945 hours for continued phasing of aerials. DR practice given to operators. No calibration flight. On the air at 1730 hours.
7 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast. No calibration flight. Off the air at 0830 hours for continued phasing of aerials. DR navigation exercise conducted with crews on duty. On the air at 2130 hours. F/L Stroud, Controller, reported for duty.
8 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast, low clouds, clearing later in the morning. Clouds lowering early afternoon, moderately heavy precipitation. No calibration flight. Off the air for DI at 1500 hours. On the air at 1645 hours.
9 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast in morning, cleared during afternoon, but rain commenced 1930 hours and continued remainder of day. Calibration flight 1400 to 1637 hours, satisfactory results. Aircraft returned to base, inter-com trouble. DI made 1701 to 1800 hours. Breakdown in thyratron unit at 1915 hours. Off air until 0115, July 10, 1943.
10 Jul 43
Weather: Cloudy and low visiblity clearing in late afternoon. DI - 0830 to 1000 off the air. Not possible to arrange calibration flight owing to unsuitable flying conditions. F/L Schneider left on posting to AFHQ, Ottawa. P/O Metcalfe reported from leave.
11 Jul 43
Weather: Rain and showers early in morning, cloudy and low visibility in morning, much improved in afternoon. DI 1300 hours to 1400 hours off the air. Calibration test flight from 1430 to 1634 hours, reasonably satisfactory.
12 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast, clearing by noon. Off the air from 0845 hours to 1020 hours for DI. Calibration run made on a bearing of 263º M to a range of 80 miles.
13 Jul 43
Weather: Very clear, excellent visibility. Calibration flight arranged in morning, cancelled due to RT failure in aircraft. Off air from 1035 to 1135 hours for DI. Calibration flight commenced at 1345 hours. Calibration flight took place on leg of 010º range 40 miles at 9000 hours. Incomplete due to weather closing in.
14 Jul 43
Weather: Clear with some light clouds, improving and visibility became excellent. Calibration flight in afternoon, 1526 to 1704, fairly successful. Is to be continued Thursday. F/O Nielsen, TB, from #2 MU, #3 RD, on visit in connection with transfer of inventory to P/O Metcalfe. DI held at 0915 to 1012 hours.
15 Jul 43
Weather: Cloudy at first, clearing later in morning, and visibility good. Calibration flight as arranged had to be cancelled due to unavailability of aircrew. Off the air from 1210 to 1700 hrs for repairs to aerial. DI carried out in conjunction with above. Paymaster Wilson arrived to pay Detachment. Diesel oil delivered, truck and two men. Returned to air, work completed at 1855 hrs. F/O Fox and party from #2 MU in station grounds working with special portable outfit, ASV.
16 Jul 43
Weather: Cloudy, visibility restricted, clearing later in the morning, cloudy towards midnight. No calibration flight in am due to lack of aircrew. Sector asked to supply this detachment with aircraft for interception exercise, none were available. Arrangements made for exercise to take place Saturday, July 17.Calibration flight took place this afternoon - two circuits of 20 miles radius at 10,000 ft. F/L McKinty, #2 (GRO) and F/O Aston of #2 MU visited Detachment. Weather became cloudy towards midnight, only an occasional aircraft flying. Daily maintenance carried out between 1730 and 1840 hours.
17 Jul 43
Weather: Mostly ovecast, clearing in forenoon, closing in at mid-morning, clearing at 1300 hours. Contacted Sector re exercise-possible later on. No calibration or interception possible at present. No calibration flight in pm due to GCI interception. (Broken cloud about 4/10).
18 Jul 43
Weather: Excellent, no clouds, visibility good. Calibration flight arranged with F/O McDonald. Successful calibration from 1007 to 1135. Another calibration flight arranged to commence at 1330 hours, duplicate trip. Daily Maintenance carried out from 1300 to 1400 hours. Aircraft out on 2nd calibration flight but sent back to base due to breakdown in thyratron unit. Off air with breakdown from 1441 to 1520 hours. Weather perfect and remained so until midnight.
19 Jul 43
Weather: Very clear, visibility unlimited, perfect all day. Calibration flight arranged. Calibration flight attempted but unsuccessful due to height switch going u/s this Detachment. Calibration flight F/O McDonald, commenced, aircraft airborne after 1433, but had to be cancelled at 1530 hrs because of trouble with height finding mech u/s. Aircraft advised to return to base. Advised filter off air at 1540 for a short while, 1720 hours still off air owing to trouble. On the air, all trouble cleared up by 2030 hours. Note: BC Electric power turned on at 1530 hours.
20 Jul 43
Weather: Clear, visibility unlimited. Calibration flight arranged for this morning. F/O Fox and party (2 men) arrived with portable outfit for tests. Party of four men from Contractor to fit window screens. Calibration flight, WO2 Wilson, from 1055 to 1140 hours, fairly successful, 20-mile circuit to 10,000'. Calibration flight in afternoon, two circuits 15,000'-30 miles, successful.
21 Jul 43
Weather: Some light clouds, visibility fair. No calibration flight possible-aircraft u/s. Arrangements made for pm. CO visited and inspected Detachment. Calibration flight carried out 1450-1630 hours- one circuit 10,000'-30 mile radius, WO2 Wilson, successful.
22 Jul 43
Weather: Very clear, visibility excellent. DI took place 0845 to 0955 hours. No calibration flight possible this am but arrangements being made for later. F/L Hanson (CRO) visited Detachment with Lt Haywood and P/O Guppy. Calibration flight commenced at 1440 hours-successfully completed at 1730 hours.
23 Jul 43
Weather: Good, some light clouds, visibility restricted slightly, some haze. F/O Nielson, #2 MU, visited Station in connection with inventory. Calibration flight successfully made between 1030 hrs and 1159 hrs, height - 10,000' at 30-mile radius. Another flight arranged for afternoon. Successful flight took place.
24 Jul 43
Weather: Very clear, visibility unlimited. Off the air from 0805 hrs to 0838 for testing of equipment. Calibration flight- 20,000', 70 miles south, not successful. RT trouble, aircraft unable to receive beyond 20 miles. Trouble discovered at 1240 hrs, faulty connection in receiver at Detachment. DI off air 1400 to 1515 hrs. Calibration flight for afternoon cancelled, installation of IFF. F/L Michener visited Station re IFF.
25 Jul 43
Weather: Perfect, visibility unlimited. Calibration flight arranged by F/L Stewart with WO2 Wilson for this morning. Calibration flight successful, WO2 Wilson- 60 miles, south, 20,000'. Calibration flight out to 60 miles, 20,000' arranged with WO2 Wilson. Calibration flight completed- in contact by R/T from 1446 to 1539 hrs, returned to base, not very successful. Off air thyratron heating excessively from 1558 to 2334 hours.
26 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast - 10/10 cloud - visibility fair only. P/O Metcalfe phoned F/L Michener, #2 MU, for assistance regarding heating of resisters in thyratron. F/S Michael was sent out and remained until 1645. New resisters (4) were brought out from #2 MU and used in thyratron. F/S Michael is making a full report to F/L Michener. Cause of trouble not readily established. It is believed thyratron must have better ventilation. Sector F/L Graham phoned regarding exercise to commence approx 1518 hrs in Straits; one section from PB and one section from BB with two Harvards. Although thyratron was heating badly, plots were passed until exercise completed. Weather cleared during morning and visibility became good, clouds nil. No calibration flight arranged, aircraft being measured and checked for IFF. F/L Stewart was arranging this with F/O Morgan, WO2 Wilson and F/L Michener. Sector carried out exercise from 1930 hrs onward with a total of ten aircraft.
27 Jul 43
Weather: Overcast, low clouds, clearing near noon. No calibration flight possible. DI at 1030 hrs, completed at 1100 hrs. No calibration flight pending installation of IFF in Calibration aircraft.
28 Jul 43
Weather: Very unsettled, low heavy overcast, cleared in afternoon. No calibration flight possible.
29 Jul 43
Weather: Perfect all day. Calibration aircraft being fitted with IFF. Expects to be ready for calibration flight this afternoon. No calibration flight as aircraft not ready yet. Sector had an exercise and this Detachment co-operated.
30 Jul 43
Weather: Fair, heavy haze on horizon, visibility two miles in all directions. Calibration flight which was to have been made this am cancelled as crews could not be located. DI held between 1015 and 1115 hrs. No calibration flight during afternoon.
31 Jul 43
Weather: Fair, scattered middle coulds, clouds dispersed, sky 9/10 clear, visibility good in afternoon. No calibration flight. Met Section report fog in area. Calibration flight- F/O McDonald commenced at 1445 and completed at 1650 hrs. Several exercise in southerly direction, approx 160º from Station quite successful. IFF not working successfully. Supervised by F/L Stewart. 1630 hours, #8 Detachment was visited by G/C RA Cameron, RCAF HQ, Ottawa. He inspected the station and spent some time in the Operations Room with F/L Byrne.
STRENGTH:
Officers 4; Attached: 1
OR 57; Attached: 0
(WP Byrne) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 Aug 43
Weather: Low clouds, 8/10, visibility at ground - fair. 0931: calibration flight arranged with F/O McDonald-10 miles at 160º 10,000 ft then 40 miles. Weather is only fair but improving. 1100: weather has steadily improved during morning, now perfect except some haze at distance. Calibration aircraft airborne at 1022 and exercise progressing. 1140: successful calibration concluded. 2 trips 10,000 feet, 40 miles, bearing approx 160º. F/O McDonald to call this afternoon for another flight. Calibration flight successful.
2 Aug 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds 10/10, visibility poor. Slight precipitation during morning. No calibration flight held in morning due to unfavourable weather. Weather clearing somewhat at noon, clouds 5/10. Weather closing in early afternoon, no calibration flight possible.
3 Aug 43
Weather: Fair locally, threatening from the north. No calibration flight. Battery, RT and engine trouble. Weather cleared mid afternoon.
4 Aug 43
Weather: Poor, very low clouds 10/10. No calibration flight possible. Weather cleared nicely by noon, continued fair until 1600 hours when it closed in again. No aircraft available for calibration flight in afternoon. F/L Michener from #2 MU visited this Detachment to see F/L Stewart.
5 Aug 43
Weather: Clouds 10/10, visibility very poor, moderate precipitation during the morning. No calibration flight in morning. Weather unfavourable. Intermittent precipitation all afternoon. No calibration flight possible.
6 Aug 43
Weather: Unsettled, low clouds 10/10, visibility poor. 1030 hours, weather clearing, clouds 7/10, visibility fair. 1330, weather clearing, clouds scattered 5/10. Waiting for calibration aircraft to return from Pat Bay. Weather report gives low cloud in all areas although local outlook is excellent. Calibration flight called off.
7 Aug 43
Weather: Very bad, cloud base about 500', heavy continuous precipitation, visibility 1000 yards. No calibration flight possible this morning. Afternoon weather very changeable, low clouds 7/10, threatening rain. 1435 hours, calibration flight commenced, bearing 135º, 15 miles, 5000 feet, not successful. Unable to pick up aircraft, IFF not operating. Returned to base 1545 hrs.
8 Aug 43
Weather: Clouds heavy, low 9/10, visibility limited, 1130 weather clearing, clouds light 5/10, visibility good. 1045 to 1120 hours, exercise plotting three aircraft to Point E and return to Boundary Bay for Sector, successful. 1445, weather good, clouds 1/10, visibility good. Detachment visited by W/C JE Campbell, AFHQ, Ottawa, and F/L RD Hansen, WAC, from 1545 hours to 1630 hours. Unsuccessful calibration flight, F/O West, R/T trouble and local interference trouble. Flight commenced at 1650 hours, completed at 1715 hours.
9 Aug 43
Weather: Good, clouds 1/10, visibility fair. Calibration flight arranged for morning from 1020 hours to 1058 hours, successful in that IFF was over adjusted. Arrangements made for calibration flight at 1400 hours. Daily Maintenance carried out from 1300 to 1400 hours. Successful calibration flight completed.
10 Aug 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds 1500, visibility fair. Daily maintenance 0800 to 0905 hours. 1400 hours: weather clearing, scattered clouds, visibility good. No calibration flight, aircraft unserviceable.
11 Aug 43
Weather: Overcast, low clouds, visibility poor. 1400 hours: weather cleared, clouds 4/10, visibility good. No calibration flight, aircraft not available. Daily maintenance, 0800 to 0920 hours.
12 Aug 43
Weather: Clear, scattered clouds. Daily inspection held between 0800 and 0920 hours. Calibration flight attempted but cancelled due to R/T failure in aircraft. No calibration flight possible in the afternoon, aircrew not available.
13 Aug 43
Weather: Fair, no clouds, heavy haze on horizon in all directions. Calibration flight arranged for 0900 hours. Weather very clear by 1000 hours. Successful calibration flight completed at 1200 hours.
14 Aug 43
Weather: Clear, no clouds, visibility good. Calibration officially finished, theoretical chart accepted as being fairly accurate. Sector notified that this Detachment is ready for operational work.
15 Aug 43
Weather: Clear, no clouds, visibility unlimited. 1045: execise planned with Sector to commence about 1100 hours, two sections of aircraft from Boundary Bay, unable to plot target but plotted fighter section towards Point E. At 2120 hours to 2239 hours, plots were passed to Filter to assist Sector in exercise of two sections of aircraft from Boundary Bay to Points E, H, K, N, Q and Base. Results were not very satisfactory as insufficent plots were obtained.
16 Aug 43
Weather: Poor, low overcast, visibility limited in all directions. Daily inspection carried out from 0800 hours to 0910 hours.
17 Aug 43
Weather: Poor, low clouds 8/10, visibility limited. DI carried out 1000 hours to 1111 hours. Weather very clear, excellent visibility by early afternoon. New R/T equipment installed and tested.
18 Aug 43
Weather: Poor, overcast, low clouds 9/10, visibility fair only. DI maintenance 0900 to 1000 hours. 1100 hours, light showers, visibility restricted. 1130 hours, rain ceased, overcast, clouds low 10/10, visibility poor. W/C Norris and 7 WD Officers visited Detachment, WAC authority and pass.
19 Aug 43
Weather: Very unpromising-low, heavy overcast, visibility greatly limited in all directions. S/L Grant, CO, #118 Fighter Squadron, Sea Island, visited Detachment with pilots in accordance with A.15/Conf. I, para 17 (b). DI carried out from 1115 to 1200 hours. Sector had a very successful exercise, two squadrons of fighters and one of bombers. Tracks were well plotted by #8. Exercise lasted from 1245 to 1415 hours.
20 Aug 43
Weather: Very unsettled, low heavy overcast, slight intermittent precipitation, visibility greatly restricted. Five more pilots of 118 Squadron visited Detachment, authority, A.15/Conf I, para 17 (b). S/L Grant and two officers from 118 Squadron visited the Detachment.
21 Aug 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds low 9/10, visibility fair only. Five officers, pilots, from 118 Squadron visited Detachment. Off the air for DI at 1104 hours. Breakdown in equipment, unable to report back on the air. Group, Sector and #2 MU, all notified. Returned to air at 2230 hours.
22 Aug 43
Weather: Unsettled, overcast, clouds low 10/10, visibility limited. 1430 hours, weather clearing, clouds 9/10, visibility fair. Daily maintenance 1430 to 1530 hours.
23 Aug 43
Weather: Unsettled - low, heavy overcast - visibility greatly limited in all directions. ASOs Macinnes, Chrysler and Snetsinger-Ops "B" - for #2 Group HQ reported this Detachment for 2 days TD. Weather midday was good. Plotted aircraft for exercise for Sector and #7 Detachment.
24 Aug 43
Weather: Clear, no clouds, heavy haze on horizon, visibility restricted in all directions. GCI exercise arranged with Sector for this morning. Interception attempted but called off due to R/T failure this Detachment, trouble soon rectified. ASOs Snetsinger, Macinnes and Chrysler left Detachment on TD to Sector Operations, reporting #2 Group HQ 29th August, 1943.
25 Aug 43
Weather: Clear, visibility good, slight haze. Short exercise with Sector during morning. Sports Day on Station. #8 Detachment had some entries in the Sports events.
26 Aug 43
Weather: Cloudy, 7/10, haze on horizon, visibility fair only. Road construction gang dug up R/T and telephone lines, Detachment unable to communicate with anyone. Group, Sector, Station CO, Signals Officer and BC Telephone all notified. Prompt action taken and repairs under way within an hours. Cable repaired, all communications serviceable at 1945 hours.
27 Aug 43
Weather: Threatening, sky overcast, visibility restricted to north, east and west.
28 Aug 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds 10/10, visiblity limited.
29 Aug 43
Weather: Cloudy 8/10, visibility fair, wind strong, gusty.
30 Aug 43
Weather: Very unsettled, low, heavy overcast with occasional rain, visibility poor in all directions.
31 Aug 43
Weather: Fair, visibility excellent.
STRENGTH:
Officers 4; Attached: 0
OR 57; Attached: 0
(WP Byrne) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
#8 RCAF Detachment,
Sea Island, BC.
1 Sep 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds 10/10, visibility poor, rain threatening, cleared by mid-afternoon, clouds 5/10, visibility poor. DI 0900-0950 hrs.
2 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, visibility excellent. DI 0900-0950 hrs.
3 Sep 43
Weather: Clear with unlimited visibility in most directions, heavy industrial haze to north. DI carried out from 1132 to 1240 hrs. Advised by CRO that Command Calibration Officer would visit Detachment this date and Sept 4, for purpose of conducting test flights. Aircraft to be used, Ventura from #8 BR Squadron. Test flight called off, aircraft had no oxygen. WAC advised that tests would probably be laid on for Sept 4, 1943. Advised by OC, #2 MU, that quarterly ovehaul to commence here on Monday, Sept 6, or as soon as Test Flight finished. No authority received for overhaul from WAC as yet.
4 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, almost cloudless. Arrangements made with CRO and OC of #8 BR Squadron for test flight at 0930 hrs, Sunday, Sept 5. F/O Harland to come from WAC to brief crew of aircraft and conduct the flight.
5 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, visibility good, slight haze. Calibration flight arranged between F/O Robert Harland (#2 MU, #3 RD) and F/O Robb, Ventura aircraft #2179, #8 BR Squadron. Successful flight made and aircraft plotted, bearing 145º, height 24,300', 90 miles south and return, time 1401 to 1612 hrs, weather perfect.
6 Sep 43
Weather: Clouds light, 5/10, visibility fair. No test or calibration flight arranged. DI carried out fom 1002 to 1103 hrs.
7 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, visibility restricted at first, haze, clearing by 1000 hrs. Telephoned WAC to arrange for Calibration Officer and aircraft for Test Flight. DI carried out from 1005 to 1110 hrs. F/O Harland advised Detachment that Test Flight would take place at 1400 hrs this date.
8 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, haze on horizon. CO weekly inspection by S/L Moon, SAO. Successful calibration flight, "Boly" for squadron, F/O Best and F/O Harland, 1428 to 1517 hours, course 145º, 90 miles, 22,000 ft.
9 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, heavy haze on horizon. Section visited by WAC officers S/L Ness, W&B, and F/L Amstrong, DAPM.
10 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, thick haze on horizon. Special exercise for Sector plotting fighter aircraft successful. Thirteen airmen, operators, given practical Trade Test.
11 Sep 43
Off air at 1000 hrs for quarterly overhaul, authority from WAC, #2 Group and Sector.
12 Sep 43
Still on quarterly overhaul. Sigs Officer installed field telephone for VHF.
13 Sep 43
Weather: Overcast, 10/10, visibility poor, haze. Off air, quarterly overhaul proceeding.Trade Tests for operators completed.
14 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, some haze. Off air, quarterly overhaul proceeding.
15 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, slight haze. Visit from F/L Bishop, #2 MU. Off air, quarterly overhaul proceeding.
16 Sep 43
Weather: Clear, except for haze on horizon. Off air, quarterly maintenance proceeding. On air during night.
17 Sep 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds 10/10, light rain, occasional. Off air daytime, quarterly maintenance proceeding. On air during night.
18 Sep 43
Weather: Overcast, clouds 10/10, misty. Still on quarterly overhaul. F/L Byrne reported back off attached duty to #7 Rd, Sector and #2 Group HQ, F/L Stroud relinquished temporary command effective this date.