DAILY DIARY
37 RADIO DETACHMENT - BRIG HARBOUR, LABRADOR
February 1, 1944 to October 16, 1944
1 Feb 44
Overcast day with snow and temperature about 10º above. Long stretch of bad weather continues, personnel anxious to get mail but weather has spoiled chances of arrival of a/c. Visibility poor with light snow and north-west wind. One track picked up with max. range 61 miles. Max range PE's was 84 miles.
2 Feb 44
Weather lifting slightly but ceiling still only about 2000 feet. Temperature still about 10º above. Quiet day, and a few of personnel off duty were out skiing and hiking, which are very popular. Two tracks, one with IFF (max range 68 miles). Array anchored at 1706 due to high wind.
3 Feb 44
Milder weather with about 20º above, but ceiling still low (about 1000 feet) and visibility poor. F/O Bloomer and Discussion Committee held a meeting and made plans for future entertainment in discussions and debates in addition to the Entertainment Committee plans. No activity, array anchored for all but 3 hours of shift.
4 Feb 44
Heavy snow, strong south wind, very low ceiling and visibility about 1 mile. Temperature abut 10º above. Received important message from #1 Grp HQ to maintain watch for a/c in distress lost at sea. We heard lost a/c but so did EAC and situation was well in hand. Later search came up coast of Labrador. Array unlashed at 1230 GMT. Notified of missing aircraft by #1 Group which said it was in our vicinity. Picked up two apparent icebergs (125º at 27 and 29 miles) and guided a/c over them with the chance that one of them might be the downed a/c. No luck in finding a/c but guided a/c looking for it for 32 plots.
5 Feb 44
Weather cleared and ceiling is unlimited, but strong wind cuts visibility to about 3 miles with drifting snow. Temperature about zero. About 0830 hours a/c was sighted by searching a/c and position was due east of this unit 160 miles in ice floes. Maintained watch and followed movements of a/c by W/T. Ship was being sent for rescue, but did not reach them today. Do not know if our plots sent to #1 Group were of any value as a/c was found on same latitude but 125 miles further east. Last a/c was heard faintly most of the time but #30 Det heard it easily and passed information to #1 Group. Notified by W/T that a/c missing on Feb. 4 was located at N L 54º 15", W.L. 52º 25". Little activity, off air most of shift due to high wind.
1 Mar 44
Still overcast with fog and mild weather, making it impossible for an aircraft to come in. We received word of an a/c in distress at 2215 hours and a watch was maintained on FC2 and FC3 as instructed. Array was lashed down then unlashed and turned manually in high wind in effort to find lost aircraft. Word was received about one hour later that a/c had landed at Stephanville, Newfoundland. Max Range PE's was 86 miles.
2 Mar 44
During the night the weather changed. In the morning a strong wind was blowing, temperature 8 below. Visibility and ceiling practically zero due to snow and wind. Later in the day this developed into a more severe storm and all outdoor work is hampered. Shifts unable to change at operations! Max range PE's was 86 miles.
3 Mar 44
This morning weather is worse. Life-lines have to be used again between buildings, even if only going a few feet. These storms are worse than one man can imagine, and one has to experience them to realize their tremendous violence. Today at 1200 hours GMT we had to turn off the receivers in the W/T room due to the interference. Today terrific gale is beyond comprehension. The buildings shook frequently and one wonders how they withstand such a beating. In addition these buildings are very hard to heat. To give some idea of the situation, the quarters of the sergeants are practically unbearable. Water in a container will freeze in this room within half an hour. Today one sergeant tried to light his pipe but the matches were blown out by the breeze coming through spots in the building in spite of all improvements made since we arrived. (such as insulation around the windows). The few sleeping bags supplied for hunting trips are being used inside now. Conditions are even worse at operations' hut which is on the highest point around here. The damage to aerials will no doubt be extensive after this storm. One RDF operator told how the operations building shakes so much in these storms that it is impossible to write on a table. Such are conditions we are having today and have had during past storms. No activity at operations hut.
4 Mar 44
Severe storm continued unabated or increased if anything. This has been the longest stretch of a severe storm of this type in days. The temperature today is about 15 degrees below. Towards the late afternoon it let up slightly, allowing the operations shifts to change. At 1717 hours GMT the W/T receivers were put back on as interference was not too bad and signals were quite good. Received signal that Goose Bay was planning to visit us with mail today, but weather again holds it off.
1 May 44
Much to our surprise, May has started out as a cold wintry month with a snow storm this morning and a strong wind, weather quite the same as we experienced in February and March. The ceiling is about 200 feet and visibility 1/2 mile. Today the personnel eligible were issued with the ribbon of the Canadian Volunteer Service medal which had been forwarded from Goose Bay. Max range PE's was 86 miles. Array anchored during day.
2 May 44
Weather has cleared again with ceiling and visibility unlimited and temperature about 20 above. However it became cloudy during the day and colder. Work is progressing very well on the switches of the PV500L and it is hoped that we will be able to tune up on four different frequencies sometime tomorrow. Today only one frequency (B7) has been used. A cheerful sign these days is the way the ice is breaking up out to sea and there is a great deal of open water now. This evening we had an Eskimo visit us with some slippers to sell. He stayed for about an hour and then left for his home at Big Brook which is about 30 to 35 miles north of here. Max range of PE's was 86 miles. One track during the day and 31 during the night.
3 May 44
A clear day with ceiling and visibility unlimited but rather cold. Temperature is about 10 above. At 1130 this morning a Canso from Goose Bay flew over and dropped mail and parcels. The parcels were dropped by parachute which worked very satisfactorily and all parcels were in good shape. 13 tracks during day and 1 during night. Asked by Goose Bay to follow mail plane that left here for Spotted Island. Track was picked up and passed to filter room. Max range PE's was 86 miles.
4 May 44
Ceiling 5000 feet and visibility about 3 miles. Temperature is 35 above and we hare having our first thaw of any size. The day is dreary and overcast. It is becoming harder to walk now between buildings and so boardwalks are being laid between buildings and are proving a big help. There will be considerable cleaning up around the station as a lot of rubbish shows up as the snow disappears. Today a native from Rattler's Bite (3 hrs by dog-team) came in to request that our medical assistant go to see his mother, Mrs. Rich who was very sick. He was so worried that we sent Sgt Barnett in the morning and he came back in the evening. She is in very bad shape with pneumonia and should have been attended to sooner. It is pitiful the way there is a lack of medical attention in this area. The natives merely exist here and seem to be forgotten. One track during day with 46 at night. Max range PE's 83 miles.
9 Jun 44
We made a tree from a long log left by the construction gang and some evergreen shrubbery that grows on the ground in many parts of the island. This tree of course causes many laughs and is the butt of many jokes - quite a novelty after all these months - and a good looking tree at that. Tonight we had our first soft ball game on a good patch of ground about 1/4 mile from camp just over one of the hills back of the barracks. The Radar section played a team composed of the other sections and it was a real good game and everyone benefited by the fresh air and exercise. The game ended in an 11-11 tie. One casualty resulted, however, the OC was catching for the Radar section without a mask (none available) and was hit square in th eye by a foul tip. What a beautiful shiner. 7 Tracks during the day with 18 at night. Max range 126 miles on upper array. Max range PE's 86 miles.
10 Jun 44
Ceiling 8000 feet and visibility unlimited, although quite cloudy in the morning. It cleared completely during the day and was cloudless although the day was cool due to the wind. Work was begun today to make the lightening launch serviceable with hopes that it will be ready when the bay clears of ice. Several of the personnel were out pitching horseshoes today for the first time, this season, and now that we are having better weather the men are all taking advantage of outdoor activities. 5 Tracks during the day with 4 at night. Max range PE's 86 miles.
11 Jun 44
Beautful clear day with ceiling and visibility unlimited and temperature 40 above. Everyone is outside on a day like this enjoying the sun and good weather. Several are out hiking and hunting, others are just sun-bathing. Another softball game was played tonight and this time the Radar team was beaten 18-4 in a one-sided game. However, they are determined to erase this defeat and are anxious for another game and a chance for revenge. 12 Tracks during the day with max. range 164 mile - ratio 1/1 on upper array, the greatest range to date. 32 Tracks during the night. Max Range PE's 86 miles.
12 Jun 44
Ceiling and visibility zero due to heavy fog this morning. Wind is blowing in from offshore and is quite cool. Temperature is about 35 above. Work is progressing favourable on lightening launch which should be serviceable in approximately a week - provided the bay is clear of ice. Tonight the Entertainment committee began laying out a station paper to take with us as a souvenir. It will cover the highlights of our stay. 4 Tracks during the day with 5 at night. Good results on lower array. Max range PE's 86 miles.
1 Sep 44
Weather: Ceiling was 5000 feet with a 2 mile visibility. There was zero wind with a temperature of 40 degrees. The Beaver left at dawn. The picture shown tonight was "Sergeant York". Its a fairly old picture but was much appreciated nevertheless. A feature of the day was the installation of a new M/F beacon, CHJ, using a type GT 14 transmitter, at the Wireless Telegraphy Transmitter building, to replace the one at Spotted Island. Fifteen tracks were followed during the night, 5 tracks during the day, with a maximum range of 157 miles.
2 Sep 44
Weather: Ceiling was 5000 feet with a 2 mile visibility. A north east wind blowing 10 miles per hour prevailed. Temperature was 38 degrees. Lean-to kitchen is practically completed. Supplies will be moved up there next week. Hauling of coal to different sections is now progressing satisfactorily but lack of tractor for a month has left us somewhat behind. Picture shown in the Mess Hall was, "George Washington Slept Here". Operations were made difficult by numerous spurious echoes, or permanent echoes showing up because of atmospheric conditions, at all azimuths from 90 degrees to 360 degrees and at ranges up to 150 miles. There were 10 tracks during the night and 14 during the day.
3 Sep 44
Weather: Ceiling and visibility unlimited with a southeast wind blowing five miles per hour. Temperature was 40 degrees above. A Protestant Church Service was held in the Recreation Hall at 1030 hours. Sergeant Wheeler, RF conducted the service, Cpl Pickering, GW read the scripture, and LAC Reid, DF played the piano. In the afternoon a boat trip to Smokey was arranged. Over twenty personnel went on the trip and found it quite enjoyable. There were 22 tracks during the night, 5 during the day, with a maximum range of 133 miles. A very strong spurious echo appeared at 1400 hours at 73 degrees and 68 miles, remaining for several hours. Though the echo resembled that of an aircraft or surface vessel, thee was no deviation from the original position. A lateral jitter on the trace, apparently caused by periodic voltage fluctuation due to other technical equipment on the same power line is causing some difficulty. The jitter is not great but it is consistent and very hard on the eyes of the operators.
4 Sep 44
Weather: Ceiling was unlimited with a 2 mile visibility. A southeast wind blowing ten miles per hour prevailed. Temperature was 40 degrees. Running water could now be had if pump was here. It is trusted that pump will come in on an early shipment as lack of running water adds an extra burden which is difficult to bears since we were without a tractor for such a prolonged period and the hauling of water is quite a task. It is planned to repeat this week the pictures shown last week.
16 Oct 44
Tuesday: Everyone was up before the sun today to finish up the job and get under way on the Beaver. By noon all the heavy equipment was put aboard, including the parts making up the large refrigerator, all the transmitters, etc. After dinner the mess hall and the administration building were swept out, and the doors and windows securely boarded up. The few remaing items were put aboard, then the kit of the airmen, then the tractors themselves crawled along the ramp and on the scows to be put aboard. The Beaver weighed anchor at 1600 hours. The evacuation was complete and done in good time without mishap, and with no real set-backs or hold-ups. Left on the site were about a hundred non-returnable oil drums which the skipper refused to take aboard since he knew that the Imperial Oil would not accept them when they reached Dartmouth, and there were also several piles of drainage and sewer tile, chimney bricks, etc. all usable, but hardly worth the effort and time of removal. Beyond that there was nothing at all of any value whatsoever left on the site. Full reports covering the closing are prepared for mailing to Command, and the whole has been coverd by photographs.
No promotions, honours and awards, administration details etc. are to be noted this month, since for administration purposes the unit has been closed. The health of the few remaining men was uniformly good, since they were too busy to even think about being sick.
No statement of strength is attached to this final daily diary.
(AM Dunn) CO
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Updated: April 6, 2003