Saglek, Labrador
Photographs


A little background detail is required at this time. The 924th AC&W Squadron (site N-29) would not become operational until the fall of 1953. As can be expected - there was a great deal of preparatory work to be completed before any Pinetree Line radar station became operational.

The first stage of construction commenced at Saglek in the summer of 1951. It was at this time that supply ships arrived in the area - as part of Operation SUNAC 1951 - and these vessels off loaded a massive amount of preliminary materials and supplies. The site survey had already been completed and it was decided to build the construction site some 12 miles from the location of the radar station - this site would eventually become known as Green Beach 1.

Supplies were dropped off at Green Beach 1 in the summer and fall of 1951 and the Fraser Brace contractors eventually arrived. These personnel effectively constructed what was to become the first contractor's camp. The intention was to construct a road from Green Beach 1 to the site where the radar station was to be built. True to fashion - it became apparent that the required road could not be constructed.

As a result - the contractors camp was relocated in the general vicinity of what would become known as Green Beach 2 - or, what was fondly referred to by the USAF personnel of the 924th as the "lower base". This change in plan meant that all of the supplies originally offloaded at Green Beach 1 had to be reloaced to Green Beach 2. There is some documented detail pertaining to the movement of material and supplies to Green Beach 2 during the summer of 1952 - as part of Operation SUNAC 1952.

It is not known whether the buildings at Green Beach 1 were dismantled and moved to Green Beach 2 - or whether new materials and supplies were brought in - to effectively construct a new contractors camp at Green Beach 2. We have been advised that the remains of the crashed B-26 bomber had to be relocated in order to construct the runway at Green Beach 2.

It is hoped to obtain further detail with the passing of time - and the hopes that someone else who participated in these early days at Saglek will find our web site and provide the missing information.



Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Para drop of mail, food, and supplies at Green Beach 1 on Christmas day - 25 December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  2. Para drop of mail, food, and supplies at Green Beach 1 on Christmas day - 25 December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  3. Para drop of mail, food, and supplies at Green Beach 1 on Christmas day - 25 December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  4. The door to our Rec Hall at Green Beach 1 was almost completely covered with snow after a typical winter storm - December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  5. Some of the Fraser Brace workers used a Trackmaster to make a trip to Hebron - December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  6. Len Thomas directing the Track Master at Hebron - December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  7. Tony and Len Thomas of Fraser Brace with local Inuit at Hebron - December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  8. Assorted Inuit at Hebron in front of the Trackmaster - December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  9. A local Inuit woman and her child at Hebron - December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  10. The Moravian Mission at Hebron - December 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  11. Remains of the World War II B-26 Marauder bomber in the general area of what would become Green Beach 2 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  12. The main Street at Green Beach 1 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  13. Unidentified building at Green Beach 1 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  14. Eskimo families passing through our camp - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  15. Eskimo families passing through our camp - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  16. The first plane to land on ice at Green Beach 1 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  17. Dick Roy and an unidentified worker standing beside the Maritime Central Airways DC-3 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  18. Unidentified personnel by the DC-3 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  19. DC-3 departing from Green Beach 1 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  20. Assorted personnel by the Trackmaster. Note the radio tower at left - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  21. The radio tower at Green Beach 1 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  22. Unidentified carpenter working on top of our "mansion" - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  23. Dick Roy working on top of our "mansion" - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  24. View of the camp as seen from the top of our "mansion" - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  25. Assorted equipment at Green Beach 1. Note the runway in the background - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  26. Unidentified carpenter hard at work - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  27. Another unidentified carpenter - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  28. View of the camp at Green Beach 1 (looking east) - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  29. A typical view of the camp at Green Beach 1 - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  30. Unidentified carpenter "day dreaming" on a roof - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  31. Unidentified carpenter taking a short break on a roof - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  32. Unidentified carpenter bringing wood to the roof - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.

  33. Unidentified carpenter bringing wood to the roof - November 1951.
    Courtesy Delmer Burton.



Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.


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Updated: July 30, 2002