Mont Apica, QC

1 Jun 53

Preparation for Coronation Day Parade in Quebec City underway.

65 Station personnel departed 0800 hours for Coronation Day Parade in Quebec City. A cold rainy day at Mont Apica.

Four landscape men began conditioning the slopes of the station for sodding.

Cpl. Paradis (Discip) and family arrive on station. Clear and sunny. Working Bee on tennis courts at rear of Airmen’s barracks.

Successful volleyball tournament held in Rec. Hall. Wiener Roast held in evening for airmen and airwomen.

Cpl. Koroluk and LAC Lake left on SIP course at Trenton. 2452 AC&W Squadron Quebec reserves arrive for weekend exercises.

Very poor weather. Exercise cancelled and reserve returned to Quebec.

Landscape men began laying sod. Beautiful weather.

Weather overcast and some showers, holding up work on tennis courts.

More rain today. Sodding of slope across from Admin. Bldg. Going ahead favourably.

Overcast and cold. The Commanding Officer departed for St. Hubert this evening.

Beautiful clear day, high of 82 degrees. Volleyball tournament completed today, one of the Airmen’s teams being the victor.

Clear and warm again. Rev. Capt. Nicholson of RCASC, Quebec City, arrived with his family for Sunday services in absence of F/L Pudwell our Chaplain (P).

One of the finest days this year but black flies and mosquitoes are becoming a nuisance especially to the children. Many Station projects underway – making of playgrounds for children, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and barbecue pits. A hot day of 88 degrees.

Clear and warm. A visiting ME Board of 6 officers – headed by W/C Labelle, ADC, visits this unit to discuss ME problems and establishment.

Wednesday – clear and hot. Most unusual for this country to have such warm weather where rain is the usual order. Trade Test Examinations commence. CO holds meeting to discuss accommodation problems re Exercise Tailwind.

Thursday – Rain last night which helped the sodding operations now in full swing. Additional work continues on tennis courts, barbecue pit, etc.

Hot and clear. CO’s inspection. Move of Dry Canteen from basement of (P) school to Combined Mess.

Saturday – Hot and clear – Liberty run for swimming at LeGite, a well conducted and enjoyable affair.

Sunday. Rev. JR Franklin visiting padre from Arvida holds Protestant Services for F/L Pudwell, our regular Chaplain. In the afternoon a Liberty bus for swimming at LeGite. The very warm weather altogether unusual for this country continues. Usually there is ample or too much rain in this country during this season. This year however all is different and hot weather is the order of the day. The sodding which has been laid this spring is in danger of dying due to lack of rain. Rain started at 1900 – at last! The rain although not long was much needed.

Tuesday – Rainy, following Officer’s report in to make arrangements for Reserve Training on Exercise Tailwind.

24 Jun 53

Wednesday. The Reserve officers concerned were briefed on accommodations, room plans, etc. and seemed pleased with the arrangements to accommodate them in two schools.

Thursday. Warm and clear. F/L Pudwell, Chaplain (P) returns to duty. Sports afternoon and many people out working on Station Sports projects, tennis courts, barbecue pits, etc. P/O Schneider who was chosen as Returning Officer and Cpl. Paradis enumerator for forthcoming Federal Election commence work. Officers Mess Meeting. F/L Forrester replacement MO for F/L Brown reports in on TD.

Friday. Rainy and warm. Last day of school for Protestant personnel.

Saturday. Overcast and windy. F/O Corkum, Nursing Sister from Summerside, reports in on transfer replacing F/O McCaw. Cpl. JAG Gravel, ClkAdm, returns from Coronation Contingent. Station Dance in honor of Cpl. RL Holmgren, MedA, and LAW Stinson, FtrCop, who were married in Arvida Tuesday. A reception was held in the Rec. Hall after the service. Dance was well attended and enjoyable.

Sunday, cloudy and cooler; Baseball game between RCAF team and civilian team. F/L Pudwell (P) Chaplain preaches his last sermon here prior to transfer to RCAF Station Penhold, in commemoration of late G/C MR Frayne. News that some person has jumped over the snack bar rail and thrown food etc. around and broke a stool. SPs checked place but found no leads.

Monday; Cool and overcast. Protestant Chapel Committee Meeting at which presentation was made to F/L Pudwell on behalf of Chapel Committee.

LAC Paul Dube was driving on a run to Hebertville Station last night when about 11 ½ miles north of camp a moose jumped in front of the Station Wagon. The moose was killed and radiator and hood of ME vehicle were damaged.

Holiday: scattered, overcast and cool 58. Work on barbecue continues under guidance of CO and F/O Page, with Cpls. Club lending a hand. Sodding is progressing well with only three houses grounds to be completed and the slope of the hill below the CO’s house.

Thursday: Overcast and cool. Preparation for visiting Reserves Forces continues.

Rainy and overcast; feverish last minute preparations prior to arrival of reserve personnel from 2452 Reserve Unit Quebec City. Reserve personnel arrive at 2200 hours by PMC and Bus finally at 2330 hours. All signed in and bedded down OK. Late meal laid on.

CO, COpsO, CTechO, CAdO, and Adjutant address reserves from Quebec City at 1100 hours, on the exercise and the unit. Balance of Reserves (about 80) arrive today. Reception worked out OK. Big dance in Rec. Hall at night.

Sunday: Early Mass for reserves, Father Clouthier and F/L Lemie, Chaplain (RC) officiating. Swimming run at LeGite much enjoyed by all. At night a lobster supper in Officers Mess.

Tuesday, overcast. Reserves fitting in well with Station routine and take over OO, OS duties, investigating Officer etc. At night an amateur concert was held in the Rec. Hall with Regular and Reserve contestants.

Wednesday, cool and overcast.

Thursday, cool and overcast. F/O Pederson observer from ADC reported in on TD. F/O Gordon, Command Welfare Officer in on TD. Baseball game in PM, Regular vs. Reserves. Wiener roast at night for children. Threatening weather forces us to cancel the adult wiener roast and a dance was substituted instead in the Rec. Hall.

Overcast and cloudy, exercise Tailwind begins.

News of simulated "National Emergency". Action taken to increase security generally and warn sections. A few reserves arrive at night from Quebec City.

Exercise continues, overcast and warm. Some reserves arrive from Sherbrooke, Trois Rivers. Some reserves leave having completed their first week of training. Ball games and badminton in full swing today.

Warm and clear. Liberty bus to LeGite for swimming. Officers vs./ Senior NCO’s baseball game – rained out.

CO, COpsO, leave for ADCHQ for briefing on Exercise Tailwind. Trois Rivers personnel to visit Station Bagotville for lesson; 30 pilots from reserve units at Bagotville visit this unit to see Ops site. Promotion Board – Junior Held.

Wednesday: S/L RT Keill, A/CO, Mr. Derby of CMHC Montreal Office here on TD. The situation as regards completion of sewage system, guard house, paving roads, fencing, does not look too optimistic. It appears that the practiced business of calling and accepting tenders has yet to be done, the result will probably mean additional delays before this unit is complete. This evening a very enjoyable dance in the Rec. Hall commemorating one year’s activity since the opening of the Station. The dance was well attended and featured a live orchestra.

Thursday. Dining in night for reserve and regular officers.

Very hot – 97 degrees. Baseball game at night. Sgt. Brown Reserves injured back at game. Wiener roast at new barbecue pit. New flag pole erected outside Station HQ.

Saturday. Very warm and clear. Liberty run to LeGite to swim. Reserves leave.

Sunday, not quite so warm. Ball game. Last of reserve personnel leave. Swimming run to LeGite.

Overcast and humid. News of "Sunday Routine", this doesn’t reach us till 1145 hours. Swimming run to LeGite laid on.

Tuesday, not quite so warm. Mont Apica "Bob Cats" play "Alma Motors" on St Jo. 6 – 3 their favor.

LAC Deagnon c/w family reports in here, despite warning not to bring family; fortunately for him PMQ 20 was vacant although marked for another NCO. It has temporarily been allotted to this new arrival. CO, W/C Briese returns from TD at St. Hubert.

Clear and warm. Thursday a wiener roast planned for barbecue pit rained out, held in Rec. Hall as a dance.

Inspection of barracks etc. Cool and rainy.

Sunday, overcast and windy.

Monday, rain for first time in days which helps the newly laid sod.

Tuesday, overcast. Officers Mess Meeting.

Wednesday, overcast. The laying of cement in remaining sidewalks has commenced.

Thursday; #28898 LAC JC Levesque, slightly injured in an auto accident 1145 hours 29 July near Stonaham, Quebec, and confined in DVA Hospital. Next of kin and ADCHQ advised.

Friday. S/L Ockenden on TD from ADCHQ.

Station Wedding – Cpl. Joly married AW1 Krivak. Ceremony performed in Station Theatre by Father Clouthier. A reception followed by a Station Dance was held in the Rec. Hall.

Sunday – Clean up after the dance. Ball game between the station team and local Hebertville team. One of the participants suffered a heart attack and was conveyed to the hospital in our ambulance.

Monday – overcast. Station Fund Committee Meeting.

Tuesday – Laying of cement is completed outside PMQ 1-6.

Wednesday – Brigadier Georges Franceur (R) head of the Quebec Division of Canadian Corps of Commissionaires called at this unit to discuss employment of Commissionaires at this unit in place of civilian watchmen.

Saturday, rainy, sodding completed.

Sunday – clear and warm. Rev. Kemp, Navy Chaplain (P) from RCNVR visited this unit for evening services. Attendance 9. Baseball game with Jonquiere team – RCAF.

Monday – Work parades of townsite personnel inspected. CO’s meeting to discuss AOC’s inspection. The next two weeks is the period when annual overhaul of radar equipment occurs. The operational staffs made free by this overhaul and shut down are being employed on many overdue tasks – such as clean op of area – Schools, completion of tennis courts etc. Coming as this does just prior to AOC’s inspection, it is an excellent opportunity to "Whip things into shape", this we are doing.

Tuesday. Clear and warm. Clean up continues.

Thursday, warm. Clean up of schools by airwomen continues.

Friday – Fire alarm sounded – smell of smoke. Fire was in trees near hospital and had apparently been started by some children. Quickly put out by fire truck and firemen. Good pressure and no damage done. Over at 1630.

Cool and overcast. Routine.

Rains at last. The bush is very dry, and we have rumors of curtailing of travel in the park.

Rainy.

Tuesday – 20355 W/C HF Marcou DFC, AFC, CD reports in on transfer to assume command of this unit.

Handing over parade in Rec. Hall. W/C Briese hands over command to W/C Marcou. Sports day which was planned for today was cancelled due to rain.

Thursday – WX drifting clouds and patches of sunlight, cool. The weather for tomorrow (our planned sports day) doesn’t look good and CO therefore decided that sports day be held today.

Friday – Sunny and warm. CO continues interviews of personnel. In evening the Corporal’s Club held an entertainment for W/C Briese retiring CO.

Saturday – overcast, hazy. At 1900 hours the wedding of LAC Skanes and AW1 Leleune was performed by the Rev. FR Franklin, Church of England, officiating Chaplain in the Station Theatre, which had been set up as a chapel. Following the wedding a station dance was held in the Rec. Hall with dancing to Red King’s Orchestra – A fine evening with no trouble.

Sunday – warmer and hazy.

Monday – CO continues with interviews of the station personnel. The reading room and Station Library opened tonight. P/O Schneider is our Librarian.

Tuesday – Preparations for AOC’s visit. Itinerary phoned to ADC 1900 hours. CO holds a Section Head Meeting to brief them of general programme for AOC’s visit.

Sgt. Gilbert SP from Bagotville here on TD.

Clear and warm. Rehearsal for AOC’s inspection parade in the Rec. Hall. The size of the hall permits only two flights in line.

Friday – CO W/C Marcou departs on TD to Lac St. Denis and ADCHQ. S/L WA Bishop acting CO.

Saturday – mild and warm.

Sunday – Overcast and rain.

Monday – warm.

Tuesday – Clear and sunny.

Wednesday – warm.

Hot. A grand clean-up is in progress on the station, painting of Officer’s, Sergeant’s and Airmen’s messes; cleaning up around barracks etc., continues in preparation for AOC’s visit. Parade Rehearsal held at 1400 hours in the Rec. Hall.

AOC, ADC, AVM AL James, CBE, CD, S/L EA Allison PA, AOC, W/C JEN Labelle MBE, CD, S/L WA Tew DFC (#1 ADCC), F/L BA Prudhomme, CD, arrived at 1105 hours. A parade of two flights in line was inspected in the Rec. Hall by the AOC and CO, Parade Commander S/L WA Bishop, CD. Following the parade an inspection of the Station was conducted, covering tower, PMQ, Rec. Hall etc. At 1830 hours a formal Mess Dinner was held. In addition to the AOC as Guest of Honor, prominent citizens were invited including the local Federal MP. The Commanding Officer introduced the AOC in French and English and the AOC responded in French and English. The event was a decided success.

Saturday – AOC and party depart at 1000 hours.

Sunday – Much cooler, rain at night.

Labor Day. Sunday routine – rains all day – the bush is becoming soaked and the risk of forest fires reduces.

Tuesday – Still raining. W/C Beiese, ex CO departs with family and furniture. CO continues interviews with officers. Preparations underway for re-opening of schools.

Wednesday – Still overcast and raining. Mr. Lachance of Price Brothers (Northwoodlands Division) visit CO to discuss plans for cutting a fire break around the station. Miss Hotte from office of CPA, ADC arrives on TD to discuss CPO matter and brief Mr. Bergeron our new CPO.

Thursday – Rainy and cool. Clearing at night. S/L SC Hall ADCHQ inspects NPF.

Friday – W/C RJ Jordan, SOPA, S/L AW Whitford, F/L JH Dalgleish, all of ADCHQ, visit this unit on inspection duties (NPF). They examine Grocery Store, snack bar, central warehouse etc. Officer’s and Sergeant’s messes. Liberty run to Quebec.

Clear. One flight of airmen and airwomen under F/O Legare depart via bus for Quebec City to form part of Armed Forces Day parade at Quebec Exhibition. Salute was taken by Governor General. Our flight formed flight #1.

Sunday, rainy. Registration for Sunday School.

Monday – It looks as though the rainy season is upon us again. The falls are a season of never ending rain prior to the heavy winter snowfalls. A little snow fell about noon.

Tuesday – Overcast but clearing about 1100 hours at last. A fine day for new CO to move into PMQ. At about 1500 hours, new of ME accident involving RCAF vehicle, driver LAC Landry. Two civilians involved. F/O Page appointed, Board of Inquiry.

Clear and Cool. CO receives news that the Grocery Store and Snack Bar operators Messrs. Fillion can be given notice to vacate by 30 Sep.

Thursday – Overcast and cool. The concessionaire who has operated our Grocery Store and Snack Bar to date and the local Federal MP visited the CO. As was expected he wants to cease his operation and sell his interest to someone else. The CO stated that the RCAF wished to operate these enterprises since we could do a better job than the concessionaire had done. The concessionaire was unhappy regarding this and it was agreed that he and the CO would discuss this matter with the AOC. In the evening an operations site party was held in the Rec. Hall.

Friday – mild and clear. As a result of the civilian grocery store concessionaire ceasing operations the unit is making other arrangements for providing eggs, butter, bread and milk. A town council meeting last night attended by PMQ occupants was held to brief personnel on what was happening.

Saturday – Air Force Day, clear and warm "Open House" is not celebrated on radar stations like flying stations – hence we content ourselves with a Station Dance – not many attend. At 1600 hours we dispatch a flight of airmen and airwomen to Quebec City, under command of F/O Crowther DFC to participate in Battle of Britain services.

The RCAF took over the snack bar and rear portion of the Grocery Store from the civilian concessionaire. For the present, milk, butter, eggs and bread only are sold.

Monday – cool and rainy.

Ice occurs this morning. Practice fire alarm. FS Belanger from Bagotville here re advising us on setting up Grocery Store.

Clear, heavy frost last night. Alarm rung in from box opposite mess, was either false or mechanical fault. F/O Stevenson, messing officer ADC here on TD, Tours of tower (with classified items omitted) were held for the wives and children of school age today. This us part of a programme of enlightening those who do not work in the tower, as to why we are here!

Friday – Station wagon to Quebec City for liberty run. F/L Bending, MO, arrives replacing F/L Horne. Officers Mess Meeting. Townsite party for MO F/L Horne who is leaving on transfer to Sea Island. Very Successful.

Rainy all day.

Monday – Mr. McCuay, Mr. Davidson of Inspection Services here on an inspection. 11 airwomen, FCO’s, report in on transfer, from widely separated places, like Chatham, Edgar, Foymount.

Tuesday – W/C McBride, SOPA and S/L Edwards, Camp Commandant ADC visits this unit on TD.

Wednesday – Heavy frost last night, but this morning temperature rises and it rains. S/L Abro and Mr. Deroy, Mr. Voisine here to discuss completion of work on station. We are to mess approximately 50 men. The civilian concessionaire Mr. JL Fillion moved out his stock and ceased operations at 1700 hours today. This ending one year of unsatisfactory operation which was the cause of more complaints than any other item in this unit.

Friday – CO’s inspection of tower, and townsite.

Saturday – The inception of the five day week! A perfect day. Liberty bus to Quebec City.

Sunday – Pouring rain. Protestant Sunday School commences in (P) school, 24 attend.

Col. CB Climo, Lt. Col. LaSalle RCDC arrive on inspection trip. F/O Pinke and an NCO arrive on inspection of Mess Frigidares. At 2100 snow.

Snowed all day. S/L BA Bower of Identification section AFHQ and F/O Wright Command Provost Marshal here on TD.

Roads now covered with snow and ice. Cars must use chains. New Grocery Store opened under Station Fund auspices – priced are in some cases lower than Stienbergs.

CO’s inspection of barracks, tower, mess etc. The station is most happy with the Grocery Store.

Saturday. Liberty run to Quebec City. Cool and with some more snow on ground.

Sunday. A clear sunny day. Most people occupy themselves washing windows etc.

Monday. Thanksgiving Day, Sunday routine; Protestant church service with Rev. JR Franklin and Rev. Knox conducted in Station Theatre. A good attendance.

Tuesday – Communion in Protestant chapel. Station Theatre at 0730 hours. Snack Bar reopened under RCAF operation last night.

Wednesday, clear and warm. Work commences on foundation of Guard House. F/L Rowe ADC Operations visits this unit. F/L Dalgeish legal officer ADC and F/O Wright Provost Marshal ADC visit this unit re charges preferred against FS Labelle.

Clear and mild. Station Beautification Committee commences preparation of flower beds in front of messes and barracks. Preparatory to bulb planting. Informal Station Dance at night in the Rec. Hall.

0530 hours fire alarm rings, brings people out of bed and PMQs. Fault is in wiring system. CO’s inspection of barracks.

Saturday, very mild. Station progressing favorably.

Sunday, somewhat cooler. Bulb planting progressing with committee and CO working. Protestant service held in Station Theatre.

Monday, mild – planting of flowers continues. Planting is concluded with beds in front of hospital solarium.

Tuesday. FS JD Labelle, who has been under close arrest at Bagotville, returns to this unit under escort, and is confined to NCOs barracks.

Wednesday, perfect weather continues. Planting is concluded.

Continuing warm and clear. This fine weather is unheard of in this area. It is a Godsend and permits the contractors men to proceed with laying cement etc. without the necessity of using straw etc. to prevent freezing.

Continues clear and warm. CO is guest at Mess Dinner at RCAF Station Bagotville.

Saturday, cooler and overcast, clear at night. Badminton club gives a dance for Badminton players, local and out of town.

Clear and cool, perfect weather.

Monday, weather OK, routine.

Tuesday, overcast, Mr. Wilmot operational research ADC on TD. Baby boy born to F/O and Mrs. Robinson. Ambulance and MO started to town – too late, returned and child born in hospital. Both well.

Wednesday, rainy and overcast, routine. F/L Peden Nursing Sister arrived on TD from ADC.

Thursday. G/C Bray, STSO ADC arrives on TD.

CO’s inspection of barracks, messes, schools, Rec. Hall etc. Cement finally poured for Guard House.

Snow at last. Sunday, CO proceeds on TD to ADC. S/L Keill A/CO.

F/L TA Newman, CAdO, and F/L Williams SOA from Senneterre visits unit to examine Grocery Store and obtain information on our past experience, mode of operation prior to getting started on their own store at Senneterre. From the discussion, it appears that they have problems in common with ours. Snows almost all day. Winter is here. Press release issued by ADC today announces that investigation into probable theft of $1,100.00 fuel oil at this unit is underway by RCAF & RCMP officials and that pending placings of charges no names are released. Personnel to date concerned are F/O Talbot (under close arrest at home) and Sgt. Mondoux (under arrest at home).

Tuesday, raining all day. The snow is disappearing fast.

Heavy snow storm develops. F/O Talbot, FS Labelle and Sgt. Mondoux released from close custody without prejudice to re-arrest. To be given useful employment on unit pending further action.

Friday. CO’s inspection. Mr. Bergeron, CPO this unit resigns. Mr. Cleary hired in his place.

Sunday, Parent’s Group Committee (for Cubs and Scouts) depart for one day course at Kenogami. Course was well attended and showed committee how things should be done.

Monday. Snowy. Routine, sanding at night.

Tuesday, mild (CO on TD at Bagotville).

Wednesday, overcast. Armistice Day – Sunday Routine. Service (P) in the Station Theatre, Rev. JDR Franklin of Kenogami officiating. The school children attended the service. The RCs held a low mass in the RC School at the same time as their memorial service. S/L SI Evans, senior female officer of the RCAF, accompanied by F/O J Poole of ADCHQ visit this unit on problems connected with administration of female personnel. The framing for new Guard House is going up at last.

S/L Evans and F/O Poole depart.

Friday, Commanding Officers inspection. Ladies Auxiliary held a successful bake sale in (P) school. Reserves from 2453 AC&W Squadron Three Rivers arrive for the weekend.

Saturday, mild and overcast. Liberty run to Quebec City. Sadie Hawkins dance at night in Rec. Hall.

Sunday, overcast. News of award of Coronation medals to 20855 W/C Marcou, CO; 21454 FS Latulippe, Radar Supervisor; 27242 Sgt. Wade, Supply Tech; 21034 Sgt. Brown, Supply Tech; 20647 Sgt. DeBellefeuille, DMech; Mr. A Giroux, Officers Mess.

Tuesday, very mild. Snow going fast. At 2358 a fire alarm drill was held. A fire was built in the rear area of PMQs and set. Fire truck responded in four minutes.

Sunny and very warm. All snow almost gone.

Very warm, and all snow is gone. Service ambulance conveys Mrs. Gustafson, wife of our SAO, to hospital in St. Joseph d’Alma for childbirth.

CO’s inspection. Station Fund Committee votes $600.00 for Hockey equipment. The Chairman of Station Fund Committee pointed out that hockey teams locally have proved unprofitable and expensive. Despite this, the majority ruled, and the vote was carried unanimously.

At 1615 hours in the Rec. Hall, the Commanding Officer, W/C Marcou presented the Coronation Medal to the following at an Investiture Parade.

Nine officers, five airwomen, seven airmen, from 2452 (Reserve) Quebec City, arrive by bus for weekend training. Officers Mess Meeting at 1900 hours.

F/O Wright of Provost Marshal Branch ADC and Major Gelly of Cartier Area Command (Army) arrive on TD re impending Court Martial convened by AOC, ADC for 1000 hours 24 Nov, members as hereunder:

22 Nov 53

Mild and overcast, 60 degrees. Rainy last night, amazing weather.

F/O Kievill, female Adjutant, reports in on transfer to replace F/O Chapman. Sgt. Emond (Steward) reports in on transfer. Feverish preparations for Court Martial at Bagotville; preparation involves signing numerous forms etc.

Clear perfect weather. CO on TD to Bagotville returns at night. F/L Murphy relief MO for F/L Bending (who is registering with Quebec Prov. Medical authorities in Montreal) arrives on three days TD from North Bay.

Wednesday, mild and clear. Still no snow on ground.

General Court Martial for 7755 FS DMJ Labelle METech sentences him to reduction in rank to Corporal, a charge under 118 NDA finding and sentence subject to approval of ADC. S/L Whiteford, of ADCHQ (SOAF), F/L Allen from Bagotville and 2 NCO’s arrive to carry out general accounts inspection.

47668 F/O JHL Talbot, Tech/CE, sentenced to released from the RCAF by General Court Martial. Court Martial of 200683 Sgt. JHB Mondoux deferred until new court, Dec 7^th. Friday CO’s inspection of barracks etc.

Saturday, clear and cool. Liberty run to Quebec City. News of motor accident involving CO’s staff car, driver LAC Laurendeau, passenger Mr. Lessard at one mile below the South Gate. Accident investigation team under F/O Page proceeded to scene of accident at 1030 hours.

Sunday, winter is here and it’s snowing.

Monday, clear and cool. Perfect weather.

Signed by:
(HF Marcou) W/C
Commanding Officer
12 AC&W Squadron,
RCAF, Mont Apica, Quebec.

4 Jun 53

Three successful high-level intercepts completed with 414 Squadron.

Two intercepts with 414 Squadron. An F-89 aircraft from Gilbert reported lost and in trouble – Later landed safely.

Four plane formations of 414 Squadron doing intercept work. Two intercepts with each other, 1 intercept on Lancaster.

Weather poor and closing down at Bagotville. Returned all 414 Squadron aircraft safely.

Mohawk 59 (F/O Hall) of 414 Squadron killed in crash. Reason unknown.

414 Squadron intercepted one KC-97, one C-45 and one Canso.

414 Squadron intercepted one B-17 at 24,000 feet on radar calibration run.

Two interceptions by 414 Squadron on USAF B-36. Mohawk 57 (F/O Giles) crashed on landing. Pilot safe.

One successful interception on RCAF Comet carried out by a section of F-86 of 414 Squadron.

Four interceptions completed with 414 Squadron.

McGill Fence exercise in progress.

McGill Fence exercise in progress.

S/L Bishop on Liaison work with 414 Squadron and Station Bagotville for forthcoming exercise.

414 Squadron working GCI against friendly Lancaster.

McGill Fence exercise continued. Lancaster intercepted by 414 Squadron. 36 successful intercepts carried out this month.

ECM Jamming exercise run with fairly good results.

Aircraft 160 knots north brought into Bagotville and landed due to weather conditions at Sept Isles. All VHF work done by Hornet on let down and landing.

Personnel of Reserve Units arriving for summer exercise. F-51 aircraft from London and Hamilton now based at Bagotville.

420 and 424 Squadrons arrive on GCA and familiarization flights from Bagotville.

Practice GCI carried out with 420, 424 and 414 Squadrons. Reserve controllers running patrols and all FtrCop personnel working on regular crews.

COpsO at Bagotville advises that 420, 424 and 414 will be on required state at 0800Z, 10 Jul 53.

0840Z Ranger advises "Cocked Pistol" exercise Tailwind is on. Excessive activity in Hornets nest.

Intercepts carried out with 420, 424, 414 and CF-100 Squadron at (Dalton) UX Lansdown Blue two.

Landed at CH – on 11 Jul 53 – (Lost). Exercise fairly successful. 77 missions carried out. Hornet intercepted 90% of unknowns.

All units to be on limited Early Warning to 14 Jul 53.

414 Squadron Bagotville on embarkation leave.

58 successful intercepts carried out this month.

All lines unserviceable for five hours due to power failure at Chicoutimi.

Hornet worked Arab 1 RCAF Comet on McGill Fence trials.

Exercise with 104 K Flight. Rayon and Joyful. 11 successful attempts.

Hornet released for yearly maintenance until 25 Aug 53.

Hornet operational after yearly maintenance.

Hornet worked Arab 2, Comet on high level evaluation. 414 Squadron departed on Leap-Frog #4.

Norseman on floats owned by Mt. Laurier Aviation reported lost on flight from Ungava. Hornet had no contact. Fair game carried out.

Hornet worked Arab 2 on high level evaluation.

Visit by AVM James, AOC. He advised we split our GSM into two pieces to simplify plotting.

AF 981 AOC’s aircraft controlled by Hornet from Bagotville to Firefly area. Hornet switchboard put unserviceable by lightning.

Advised by Bagotville – AC-54, and possibly two Lancaster’s to join search for missing Norseman, reported lost 30 Aug 53.

ECM exercise carried out against Hornet by EADF aircraft. Hornet able to carry on through jamming.

Hornet experienced VHF and electronic jamming. Exercise carried out by Freak Show. Hornet able to carry on through jamming.

Search for civilian Norseman still going on in Northern sections. No joy as yet.

AF 9772, an American B-29, checked QB tower. He was 25 miles off course and heading for Montreal; reported not in trouble. Hornet notified of a B-36 overfly from Limestone.

Hornet advised ECM Dakota to be in area on 23 Sep.

ECM exercise cancelled – Dakota unserviceable.

Hornet released for weekend maintenance.

Hornet controlled Joppa 6 from Montreal to Bagotville.

All lines to Firefly were unserviceable for one hour. F/H back-up was tried but it was also unserviceable.

Search for missing Norseman has been renewed. Transmission believed to be from Norseman was heard down in Nova Scotia.

ECM exercise for 30 Sep cancelled.

GCI exercise with "Joyful" and "Rayon" was unsuccessful due to faulty radios in the aircraft. One intercept was accomplished.

Only one intercept was completed by Hornet this month.

Hornet on weekly maintenance.

Arab 2 on route to Chatham tried to contact Hornet – No joy.

Norseman which had been missing for approximately a month was located by an RCAF Lancaster – seven passengers found in fairly good condition.

GCI exercises with Rayon & Joyful. Eight successful intercepts – USAF B-36 called on 121.5. Hornet answered and gave a steer to Presque-Isle – Pilot stated that he wasn’t lost but just didn’t know where he was. USAF thanked Hornet for good show.

Hornet working Arab 1 on calibration.

Hornet on monthly maintenance.

Hornet & Eaglebeak tried a broadcast control intercept – fighters at Eaglebeak were scrambled too late. Intercept was unsuccessful.

CF-100, Joppa 5, was controlled by Hornet from Bagotville to St. Hubert.

Calibration exercise with Comet.

Hornet controlled Joppa 1& 3 from Bagotville to St. Hubert.

Hornet had nine successful intercepts during the month of October.

Calibration exercise with Arab 1.

Exercise "Cannon Ball" – two successful intercepts.

Hornet notified that a BOAC aircraft had sighted 16 unidentified objects over Newfoundland. No flight plan for these objects was available. Objects not seen by Hornet.

Hornet on monthly maintenance.

GCI exercise with Rayon & Joyful. Reserves from Three Rivers controlling.

Trois Rivers Reserve AC&W Unit – carried out exercise with Rayon & Joyful.

Hornet continued high level evaluation with Arab 1.

Hornet able to work through ECM exercise.

Exercise Cannon Ball. Hornet completed one successful intercept using Gerna 5. Handover from Firefly. Unsuccessful. Fighter scrambled too late.

Hornet completed 12 successful intercepts this month.

High level evaluation with Arab 1.

One intercept carried out with Gerna 4.

Hornet took part in exercise Dust Devil. No intercepts.

Three Rivers Reserve visited Hornet.