32 Radio Detachment - Port Aux Basque, Nfld

1943 - Extracts from Daily Diary - National Archives of Canada

The officials that chose the location for #32 Detachment, approximately a year and a half ago, selected a spot on the western end of the south coast of Newfoundland between the three settlements known as Port Aux Basques, Channel, and Mouse Island.

The site is on a hill on an isthmus approximately one mile from the Newfoundland Railway Station at Port Aux Basques. On the map the position is 59 degrees 10 minutes west longitude, 47 degrees 40 min north latitude, and has a magnetic deflection of 28 degrees west of true north.

No 8 Construction Maintenance Unit under F/O Briscoe was selected to build the camp. The project was built under Secret Organization Order No 91.

The final survey of the location was made by Cpl HJ Pritchard sometime after the arrival of the original No 8 CMU crew which consisted of one corporal and seven airmen. This advance party landed at Port Aux Basque on April 21, 1943.

This nucleus staff was added to until there were 124 men on the job by July 14th. The strength figure of the #8 CMU Detachment remained reasonably constant at 100 until Nov 27. By Dec 1, 1943 there remained only 29 men from #8 CMU These men were taken on Temporary Duty to #32 Det. on that date.

A Cpl and an LAC RDF Mech arrived on July 30 to guard the secret equipment.These men were on Temporary Duty to #32 Det but received rations and quarters from #8 CMU. The LAC became ill and departed on Aug 10 for North Sydney.

Four other LAC RDF Mechanics landed on Sept 12 and helped guard the secret equipment until Oct 27 when all 5 RDF Mechanics departed. Their duties were taken over by a Sgt and 3 LAC RDF Mech. who were posted to #32 Det.

The first man posted to #32 Det was a Cpl Equipment Assistant. A good deal of equiment for #32 Det was in the Newfoundland Railway warehouse when he arrived on Sept. 27.

The first Officer Commanding No 32 Detachment was F/O GK Cranna. Mr Cranna came to the detachment the first time on Sept 17 and remained there on Temporary Duty until Oct 21st at which time he proceeded to Eastern Air Command Headquarters to discuss equipment and other matters. Mr Cranna returned on posting Nov 12th, 1943.

Three AC1 RDF Operators were posted to this unit arriving Nov 10, 1943.

A great deal of equipment was moved up to the site between Nov 1st and Dec 1st. The equipment assistant employed two men steadily. On Nov 17th one man was put in the kitchen to aid the No 8 CMU staff. On this same date the remaining No 32 Detachment personnel started to paint the gantry. Frequent inclement weather caused this employment to last until Nov 26th. The Orderly Room was organized on Nov 16 and one man was placed in charge.

A three day period of good weather resulted in the following work being accomplished:

Nov. 26 - commenced to lay ground wire for wireless telegraphy equipment
Nov 27 - completed ground wire, moved one AT3 wireless transmitter from its temporary resting place to permanent location, general cleanup around buildings. Another man was placed in the kitchen this date (2).
Nov 28th - this being Sunday not a great deal was done but three pairs of wires were found in order to have complete circuits from remote control boxes. The AT3 was connected to the ground, remote line, and power line.

Eight men were posted here on Nov 26th, two RDF Mechanics, one Diesel Fitter, and five RDF Operators.

On Nov 29th the wireless telegraphy receiving equipment was installed in the signal office. The two lead-in insulators for the AT3's were completed as was the painting of screens and aerial frames for the gantry. The remaining daylight was utilized in a general cleanup.

November 30th was cold and cloudy. The ground wire for the wireless telegraphy receiver was placed. The transmitting and receiving aerials for the wireless telegraphy equipment was moved and installed at its permanent location. The second AT3 transmitter was moved up to the wireless hut from the equipment hut which had served as the signal office up until this time. Another man was placed in the kitchen on this date (3). There was a heavy wind and snow this night.

Strength: 1 Officer, 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 10 LAC's, 4 AC1's, total strength 17 men.

(GK Cranna) F/O
OC #32 Det
RCAF Port Aux Basques, Nfld