2400 AC&W Unit (Res)
TORONTO, ONT

National Archives of Canada

TECHNICAL FACILITIES
OPERATION "ROUND-UP"
2400 AC&W UNIT (RES)
INTERIM REPORT

Toronto, Ont
2 Dec 50

CO 2400 AC&W Unit
RCAF Scarboro

The following is a brief report covering the acquistion, installation, and operation of the technical equipment used by 2400 AC&W Unit for Operation "Round-Up", 2 Dec 50.

Three stations were set-up. One field station at Scarborough, and two mobile units, one at Downsview, the other at Newcastle. The control station, Scarborough, was equipped with:

1. Type RWG, CHL radar

2. High-frequency R/T communications equipment, 1-AT3 with remote control, 1-ACR-77 Receiver, 1-SCR 522 (modified) VHF transmitter and receiver.

3. Private landlines connecting Scarborough with Downsview and Newcastle.

The two mobile stations, Newcastle and Downsview were identically equipped as follows:

1. Type AMES 11C radar

2. High-frequency R/T communication 1-AT3, 1-ACR-77 receiver, 1-SCR 522 (modifier) VHF transmitter and receiver.

3. Private landlines connecting each convoy with Scarborough.

The CHL equipment at Scarborough had recently been repositioned and the external wiring of the transmitter and display racks was almost completely renewed. Tuning up was finished two days before the scheduled exercise. Although pushed for time, the technicians were able to produce results from the equipment on the morning of the exercise.

Some difficulty was experienced with the Downsview AMES 11C installations. It was not until the evening before the exercise that the equipment was made serviceable. The trouble was finally located in the Transmit-Receive Box between the transmitter and the aerial array. A new TR Box cleared up the fault. As a last resort, it had been arranged that if Downsview transmitter could not be made serviceable, a new one could be obtained from Mr Scott of NRC, Scarborough.

The AMES 11C installation at Newcastle was set-up in record time and, pending the report of the officer-in-charge, it is assumed that the equipment functioned satisfactorily.

Communication Equipment - The HF and VHf transmitters and receivers are part of the inventory of the Unit, and have been in operation for some time. HF communications was established on 4175 and 4160 Kcs with Downsview and other stations, but for some reason , not yet known, Newcastle could not be contacted. The report of the officer-in-charge there might shed some light on this matter. It is assumed that the Communications Vehicle arrived at Newcastle from Trenton.

Ar Scarborough, interference from the radar transmitter caused considerable annoyance to the communications operators. It is suggested that for future exercises the receiver should be remotely controlled at a distance of about 600 feet from the radar transmitter.

Also, for VHF control work, an effort should be made to install the more powerful BC-640 transmitter and BC-639 receiver at Scarborough in place of the present inadequate SCR-522.

It should be mentioned here that the Unit received excellent co-operation from the Toronto district AFARS squadron. Several amateur stations, among them VE3VX, Kingston; VE3AYG, Trenton; Portable VE3BTG, Scarborough; VE3RG, Toronto; VE3AYW, Hamilton; VE3UJ, Hyde Park; VE3HK, Kingsville; and Control Station VE3IL, Toronto participated from 8:00 am until 11:00 am.

Land-Lines - Private line communications with Newcastle and Downsview were installed by the Bell Telephone Company. Transmission and ringing to and from Downsview were satisfactory, but, it was noted, there was some difficulty in ringing Newcastle during the morning of December 2nd.

Since the operation was called off early in the morning of December 2nd, none of the technical equipment which had been prepared for the exercise, was actually put to the test. However, it is considered that for the most part, performance would have been satisfactory. A great deal was learned which will be of considerable value in making preparations for future exercises of a similar nature.

Signed by JR Cooper F/L
CTechO 2400 AC&W Unit (Res)

OPERATION "ROUND-UP"

4 Dec 50

Commanding Officer
2400 AC&W Unit (Res)
Toronto, Ont

Report on AMES 11 -
Convoy set-up at Newcastle Ont

Arrived on scene of operations without incident and immediately moved onto site. Site was chosen by F/O Haid and FS Graham.

All hands pitched in and with a decided lack of tools the antennae was assembled and ready for operations within 2 1/2 hours.

Then a check was made on the ComOp vehicle and it was found to be in operational order both on VHF and HF. Contact was established for a brief moment with Harvard aircraft over Trenton on "Homing Exercise".

Field telephone from AMES 11 operational vehicle was connected and communication was established with Ops vehicle.

Upon return to ops vehicle technical personnel had completed orientation of antennae with PPI tube and aircraft being plotted on the tube.

Communication via Bell Telephone to Scarboro and Toronto was completed in short order and the convoy was fully operational.

Controllers remained during the evening to approximately 2300 hours. Saturday morning equipment was placed in operation and checked. Weather did not permit flying of aircraft but equipment was operating similarily to the evening before.

At 0912 hours orders received from Abraham Control (Scarboro) that Operation "Round-Up" was scrubbed due to bad flying weather.

Crews were immediately formed to dismantle and pack equipment into vehicles. Time was taken for lunch and at 1500 hours equipment was packed and vehicles began to leave the site.

Return trip of convoy was hindered by extremely foggy and rainy weather but all arrived safely at Scarboro at 1800 hours Saturday.

Technically the operation was a success; all of the equipment was assembled, connected and placed into operation without any troubles what so ever. In view of the fact that the personnel, with the exception of two Flying Officers and a Flight Sergeant, were inexperienced with the AMES 11 convoy and this being their first actual experience with the above mentioned equipment.

Signed by DP Welch F/O
2400 AC&W Unit (Res)

OPERATION "ROUND-UP"

5 Dec 50

Commanding Officer
2400 AC&W Unit (Res)
Toronto, Ont.

Observation of Operation "Round-Up"

Practise is required by MT Drivers in judging convoy speeds and spacing.

Trucks ought to be road checked individually with full loads to determine the capabilities of each vehicle as to speed and reserve power, Maintenance then to be carried out so that each vehicle has approximately the same potentialities. (One poor vehicle held up the whole convoy.)

The person on charge of any particular phase of assembly could refrain from working (at a sacrifice of time) and give directions as well as a running commentary.

At the completion of erection of the AMES 11 a review could be given to the assembled crew outlining each phase of assembly so that each person has an idea of:

1. The problems encountered by the other parties.

2. An idea of the whole scheme

At completion of erection an outline of operating plotting and controlling could be given before operating is started.

Considering that this was the first expedition the writer feels that it was very successful from the point of view of gaining experience and feels privileged at being allowed to take part in it.

Signed by RA Zurowski F/O
2400 AC&W Unit (Res).

OPERATION "ROUND-UP"

6 Dec 50

Commanding Officer
2400 AC&W Unit (Res)
Toronto, Ont.

Report on Operation "Round-Up" Newcastle Convoy

This report will deal only with the convoy AMES 11 to Newcastle, under three divisions:

1. Organization and Supply

2. Conduct

3. Conclusions

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUPPLY

   The organization while reasonably correct and suitable left a few points unclear;

   1. A map should have been drawn up showing briefly the relative locations of the trucks to themselves and to prominent landmarks.

   2. The convoy was not properly serviced prior to leaving on Friday morning 1 Dec, since difficulties other than normal were encountered en route to the proposed site. This might be remedied in the future by making this the responsibility of the drivers when assigned to the squadron

   3. The quantity and type of tools necessary for the correct and fast erection of the antennae were not in supply, notably insufficient spanners and socket wrenches (7/8").

   4. Insufficient consideration given to the problem of communication via Bell Telephone, ie the problem of adopting our equipment so that the switchboard could be easily and quickly connected to the Bell Lines without interuption of local inter-truck communication.

2. CONDUCT

   The conduct of the personnel was at all times exemplary both at the site and in billets with one exception, and that not serious.

3. CONCLUSION

   Giving due consideration to the inexperience of the personnel (myself included) on the AMES 11, the results obtained could only have been obtained by good co-operation and strenuous application, in short a very high "Espirit De Corps".

   Signed by KE Barter F/O
   2400 AC&W Unit (Res).

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   OPERATION "ROUND-UP"

   8 Dec 50

   Commanding Officer
   2400 AC&W Unit (Res)
   Toronto, Ont.

   Observation on Operation "Round-Up"

   As requested by you, the following are my personal observations on the Newcastle Detachment in connection with "Operation Round-Up".

   It was naturally a great disappointment that the exercise was called off as I believe all concerned are quite confident that the interception would have been carried out to the complete satisfaction of everyone, except of course 401 Sqn!

   As for any criticism the way the convoy exercise was carried out I have none and I heard none. However, there are a few minor suggestions that I would like to offer which might help us somewhat if the occasion ever arises that a similar convoy has to be set up under "pressure".

   1. That each crew on the convoy be alloted the specific tools for their individual assignment. We were woefully short of spanners (correct size) and wrenches. This I believe was nobodys fault as they are in short supply. However, if steps could be taken to secure these now we will no doubt have them if and when the real thing comes.

   2. That each truck in the convoy carry their own keys for their tool box, etc, as you have probably heard all the keys were carried in the station wagon which was at the rear of the convoy and proved impractical.

   Apart from the above mentioned suggestions I have nothing to add.

   All we need now is practice and more practice until each and everyone can do their job in the black of night in a foot of mud if the need be.

   I would like to mention that without the past experience and knowhow of FS Graham the operation at Newcastle certainly wouldn't have come off as smoothly as it did.

   From my observations of the Officers, NCO's and Airmen I would say that we have the nucleus that will grow into an AC&WU second to none.

   Signed by JE Lawrence F/O
   2400 AC&W Unit (Res).

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   OPERATION "ROUND-UP"

   RCAF St Hubert, Que, 11 Dec 50

   Commanding Officer
   2400 AC&W Unit (Res)
   Toronto, Ont.

   Operations Report Controllers - 1st and 2nd Dec 50

   The following narrative report is submitted by 22637 F/O ER Harris in accordance with your verbal request.

   Briefing Generally

   1. The Controller arrived too late to be available for the main briefing on the exercise and therefore had to take his briefing from observers reports. It would be preferrable that he be available from the beginning.

   2. He was given no indication of his duties so came inadequately prepared.

   Convoy Generally

   1. The convoy was slightly delayed in starting, because one of the regular drivers was delayed. It would be preferrable to have alternate drivers briefed in advance in case of this possibility.

   2. The convoy moved without the drivers having been issued with MT-6's, this was an oversight but could have proved embarrassing.

   3. A breakdown occurred almost immediately and it would have been very handy to have a ME mechanic riding in the light vehicle following the convoy. The convoy proceeded and luckily the driver and rider knew enough about engines to change the fan belt. They caught up with the convoy a short time later.

   4. The convoy proceeded without further incident, except for a stop for coffee, to its allotted position.

   5. Passing lights in towns was a slight headache. Suggest that if an alternate route bypassing the towns could be found, there would be less chance of an accident.

   6. Suggest Army Provost be contacted in any further convoy movements, they supply despatch riders, route and clearance on request.

   Setting Up

   1. Before setting up the convoy leader decided to have lunch and we proceeded to our respective hotels to confirm our reservations and eat.

   2. The trucks had been placed in their respective positions before we departed so on return we set to work immediately.

   3. The ones who didn't know anything about setting up, had to follow the ones who did and assist in any way possible. There was no slacking and no one complained about any job given to him.

   4. The convoy was operational by 1700 hrs. Bell had run a direct line to Scarborough for our use and our own technicians ran a line to the VHF truck which we had secured from Trenton along with the personnel to run it.

   5. As most of the heavy work had been done a percentage of the personnel didn't return after supper.

   Operations

   1. At 0912 hrs on Sat 2 Dec, the operation was called off on account of rain and dismantling on the antennae started immediately, communications with Scarborough being maintained until 1200 hrs.

   2. It was anticipated that the controller would pass his transmissions to the a/c by relay through the VHF operators and have the a/c reply the same way. This might have worked controlling Harvards, possibly controlling Mustangs but definitely not controlling Vampires, the time lag being too great.

   3. There was a lot of noise from the diesel engine which could have been cut appreciably by placing the workshop truck between the diesel and the operations van in setting up the convoy.

   Taking Down

   1. At 09123 hrs the operation was cancelled and the antennae was dissembled immediately.

   2. Everything possible was packed without stopping the diesel or disconnecting the operations van or IFF van. These were used as shelter until the last minute.

   3. At noon all personnel went to eat, estimated time of departure 1400 hrs.

   4. A slight delay arose when one of the trucks became mired as we were leaving the field and we actually got underway at 1450 hrs.

   Convoy Movement

   1. Shortly after starting one of the trucks ran out of gasoline. Luckily he was close to a service station. This could have been avoided by a dip stick check. The gasoline indicators in the cabs of the trucks were u/s almost without exception.

   2. After a few slight delays and travelling for a few hours through fog we all arrived at Scarborough slightly before 1800 hrs.

   The exercise was extremely valuable in experience gained by all personnel even though the exercise failed to materialize.

   Signed by GF Ockendon F/L
   for CO RCAF St Hubert Que