DAILY DIARY
40 RADIO UNIT - ALLAN ISLAND, NEWFOUNDLAND
Janaury 29, 1945 to October 20, 1945
29 Jan 45
8CS is the fourth call sign since personnel first arrived at this station. An operetta and dance was held at local school house to celebrate silver jubilee of local parish priest, Father Thorne. A considerable number of station personnel attended.
30 Jan 45
Snow and high winds. Tried placing GR17 in W/T room operating on rhombic antenna - just a sheer stab in the dark. Group received QSA 4 to 5 and gave us QSA5, but signals dropped off very suddenly and 126 maintains its record for unreliable operation here. Discussion group on "Have we Democracy in Canada today". Small attendance.
31 Jan 45
Overcast. Signals very variable. Some snow.
In general the past month has seen successful carrying-on of operations at this unit, but with something still left to be desired in set-up of "Telling" communications. (First few days of following month saw a change in frequency and a marked improvement in communications to a high level of efficiency: this will be dealt with at length in next month's diary.) This month saw the first concrete results here in the way of organizational efforts from above, including preparation for improved transportation connections with St John's, some canteen supplies, etc. Morale generally may be summed up as follows: the men are caught between a sort of apathetic resignation after more than three months on the station with hitherto inadequte (from some points of view only) recreational facilities, and the hope of bettered circumstances in the near future - particularly mail service and a few important canteen supplies yet to be seen. Needless to say, the occasional movie as well. Appended hereto is a statement of health as submitted by R108552 Sgt. Sellen, RC Station Hospital Assistant.
Strength of Station as at 2359 hours 31/Jan/45 - 1 Officer, 41 Airmen.
(BR Benson) Flying Officer
OC No 40 RU, Allan Island, Nfld
DISBANDMENT PROCEDURE
1 Oct 45
Disbandment order received. Unit closed 2359Z hours Oct 1st. Beacon off the air 2359 hours, Oct 1st.
2 Oct 45
Two discharged WOG's sent to Grand Bank for transportation via SS "Home". One WOG only retained. Small items of RCAF equipment packed.
3 Oct 45
RCAF equipment packed. Cannot pack beacon until lumber arrives from Torbay.
4 Oct 45
GT14 and GR 17 dismantled.
5 Oct 45
Forced to tear down RCAF partition in warehouse to pack and crate GT-14. Authority received to send men to Torbay via SS "Baccalieu". Several men and their baggage sent to Grand Bank. Station farewell dance held in Mess Hall. Well attended.
6 Oct 45
Canteen packed with exception of beer, cigarettes and chocolate bars. Completed crating of GT-14. 12 personnel transported in three jeep loads to St. lawrence. Only 10 personnel retained on station. Expected Muskoka this date but on checking its position found it to be on way to Fogo. Library packed and crated. Signal sent to Torbay asking disposition of oil, coal and rations. Personnel moved into one barrack room to save fuel.
7 Oct 45
Station officially closed. Remaining airmen cleaned up baracks. Still packing miscellaneous items. One beacon crated. American contacted by W/T expect to be here in three or four days. Station returned to slow time. Equipment assembled by Americans, took lists and tool kits assembled.
12 Oct 45
Four US Army arrived in charge of Capt Gundlach (US Army Signal Corps.)
13 - 16 Oct 45
Equipment inventories checked by Americans. Inventories, etc., buildings, taken over by Capt. Gundlach.
17 Oct 45
RCAF Secret documents mustered and prepared for carrying to Torbay. All local records having no historic, legal or scientific value, destroyed.
18 Oct 45
RCAF boat arrived this date.
19 Oct 45
US Army personnel destroying equipment with no further service or resale value. Radar equipment destroyed by axe and sledge hammer. Equipment of further service value to US Army is to be shipped to Ft Pepperrell. Present American party will be followed by a sales party who will attempt to dispose of the balance of equipment locally. All RCAF equipment despatched to Torbay via Muskoka.
20 Oct 45
Cap Gundlach, US Army, requires only one diesel man, one WOG and one cook from the RCAF personnel. Other than these are to proceed to Torbay via US Army boat "Ware" Oct 21, l945. These extra personnel will be required by the US Army for a period of approximately one week. Disbandment as far as the RCAF concerned is complete.
(AE Brewster) F/O
CO No 40 RU, Allan Island, Nfld
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