Radio Detachments


Most of the radar stations established in Canada during World War II were initially identified as "Radio Detachments" (RD). This terminology was changed to "Radio Units" (RU) in September 1944.


EQUIPMENT DESIGNATIONS

Early RCAF radio direction finding, later radar, stations often included the type of radar used within the unit title. Common designations for ground mounted radar included:

CHL Chain Home Low-flying Early Warning Radar
GCI Ground Control Intercept
MEW Microwave Early Warning/Ground control Intercept
(10.7 cm wavelength)
MEW/AS Microwave Early Warning Anti-Submarine, surface radar
TRU High-flying Early Warning Radar
US ew American SCR 270/271 Early Warning Radar


THE PACIFIC COAST AIR DEFENCE RADAR SYSTEM - WORLD WAR II

In 1942 construction of a chain of radar stations for surveillance of the Pacific Coast began. By November 1943 it was in place. Initially the stations were called "Radio Detachments" and in 1943 the title "Radio Unit" was adopted. The term "RADAR" was not adopted by Canadians until late 1943. The chain ceased operations with war's end in mid 1945. The units were:

West Coast Patrol Areas & Radar Coverage

Radar Detachments on the West Coast of Canada

Location
Last Updated
7 Radio Unit - Patricia Bay, BC 28 April 2004
8 Radio Unit - Sea Island, BC 25 May 2004
9 Radio Unit - Spider Island, BC 30 August 2004
10 Radio Unit - Cape Scott, BC 29 August 2004
11 Radio Unit - Ferrer Point, BC 4 June 2004
13 Radio Unit - Amphitrite Point, BC 29 August 2004
26 Radio Unit - Langara Island, BC 1 August 2004
27 Radio Unit - Marble Island, BC 8 August 2004
28 Radio Unit - Cape St. James, BC 16 November 2004
33 Radio Unit - Tofino, BC 31 August 2003
X-1 Detachment - Jordan River, BC 21 April 2004


RCAF ATLANTIC REGION AIR DEFENCE - WORLD WAR II

Planning for radar stations on the East Coast of Canada had started in 1940. Siting had been completed, equipment ordered and on site construction completed to enable the first stations to become active by mid 1942. The last of the stations would become operational in late 1944. The role of these stations varied depending upon the equipment at each location. They included chain home low - early warning radar (CHL), microwave early warning radar (MEW), ground controlled intercept radar (GCI) and high-fying early warning radar (TRU).

The following chart was compiled and drawn by the Department of National Defence Directorate of History. It indicates the overlapping radar coverage of the area.

East Coast Air Defence Radar Coverage

Location
Last Updated
1 Radio Unit - Preston, NS 9 November 2004
2 Radio Unit - Bell Lake, NS 9 November 2004
3 Radio Unit - Tusket, NS 18 October 2004
4 Radio Unit - Brooklyn, NS 16 October 2004
5 Radio Unit - Queensport, NS 10 March 2005
6 Radio Unit - Louisbourg, NS 18 June 2004
12 Radio Unit - Bagotville, QC 18 June 2004
14 Radio Unit - St. John's, NF 9 June 2004
16 Radio Unit - Eastern Passage, NS 25 October 2004
17 Radio Unit - Torbay, NF 9 June 2004
19 Radio Unit - Gander, NF 13 June 2004
20 Radio Unit - Sydney, NS 30 August 2004
21 Radio Unit - Plymouth, NS 19 October 2004
22 Radio Unit - Port Dufferin, NS 12 January 2005
23 Radio Unit - Saint John, NB 28 July 2004
24 Radio Unit - Tignish, PEI 29 August 2004
25 Radio Unit - St. George, QC 30 August 2004
29 Radio Unit - Goose Bay, Labrador 30 August 2004
30 Radio Unit - Cape Bauld, NF 30 August 2004
32 Radio Unit - Port aux Basques, NF 22 October 2004
36 Radio Unit - Spotted Island, Labador 13 June 2004
37 Radio Unit - Brig Harbour, Labador 8 June 2004
40 Radio Unit - Allan Island, NF 24 June 2004
41 Radio Unit - St. Brides, NF 17 June 2004
42 Radio Unit - Cape Spear, NF 24 June 2004
43 Radio Unit - Elliston, NF 14 June 2004
44 Radio Unit - Fogo Island, NF 17 June 2004
75 Radio Unit - Fox River, QC 3 September 2004
76 Radio Unit - St. Paul Island, NS 3 September 2004
77 Radio Unit - Cape Ray, NF 22 November 2004



Miscellaneous Detail

Click on the description text to view the detail.
  1. Nominal Roll of personnel who served at radar stations in Canada during World War II.
    Courtesy Assorted Sources.

  2. Radar Guarded BC Coast Against Japs - May 2002.
    Courtesy Dennis Newnharn.

  3. The Creation of a National Air Force - 1986.
    Courtesy As Indicated.

  4. Inactive RCAF Sites and Facilities - 22 September 1949.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  5. Description of Buildings - Appendix "B" - 23 January 1948.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  6. Deficiencies in Buildings - Appendix "C" - 23 January 1948.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  7. Memorandum Regarding Surplus Properties - 19 July 1947.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  8. Memorandum Regarding Retention of Radio Units - 6 July 1946.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  9. Ground Radar Operational Report - 17 April 1945.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  10. Radar Operational Report Chart - March 1945.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  11. Interactive maps depicting RDS locations - 1945.
    Courtesy As Indicated.

  12. Site #34 at Navan, Ontario - 1944.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  13. Cartoons of the day - 1944.
    Courtesy John de la Fontaine.

  14. Cartoons of the day - 1944.
    Courtesy John de la Fontaine.

  15. Cartoons of the day - 1944.
    Courtesy John de la Fontaine.

  16. Requirements for Radar Operators (Ground) - 5 November 1943.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  17. RDF Ground Newsletter - July 1943.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  18. Memorandum on Intentional Destruction of Radio Detachment Equipment - 28 June 1943.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  19. Memorandum on Intentional Destruction of CHL/CGI Equipment - 15 June 1943.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  20. Memorandum Regarding RDF Training - 5 June 1943.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  21. Reserving Land in BC for Defence Purposes - 8 January 1943.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  22. Organization Order No 91 - Formation of Radio Detachments - 23 July 1942.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  23. Organization Order No 91 - Appendix "B" - 23 July 1942.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  24. Letter from Department of Transport - 2 July 1942.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  25. Ground Defences for RDF Stations on the West Coast - 1942-1945.
    Courtesy Assorted Sources.

  26. Ground Defences for RDF Stations on the East Coast - 1942-1945.
    Courtesy Assorted Sources.

  27. Letter from National Research Council - 24 July 1941.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  28. Introduction of CD/CHL and CD Set - 27 November 1940.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  29. Assorted Filter Center detail.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.



  30. Assorted Detail & Photos of the SCR-270/271 Radar Equipment.
    Courtesy As Indicated.



Updated: April 17, 2005