44 Radio Unit - Fogo Island, Newfoundland

Fogo Island was the site of the first Ground Radar Warning Station, in the North Atlantic during World War II.

The Arrival of US Army personnel at Tilting, Fogo Island, is often referred to by local residents as "The Friendly Invasion". Quickly, secrecy and tight security, this site, with help from local towns people was built. Yet, these American GI's, frequently interacted with the local residents who held them in the highest regard.

In the summer of 1942, fifty-two members of the US Army Signal Corps 685th Air Warning Company came to Sandy Cove to operate a permanent radar warning unit. The radar station on Bunker Hill (main Barracks in nearby Sandy Cove) was the most active of the five installed in Newfoundland. It tracked all traffic from Gander to Goose Bay and out into the Atlantic. All five radar stations were in constant contact with one another and with their Base Command, headquartered at Fort Pepperell, St. John's. Each station had a secret code name. The code name for the station on Bunker Hill was "Quad".

Along with their work, they provided Fogo Islanders with hospital like facilities and medical services that previously were not available.

This station was in operation from 1942-1945. Manned by American personnel until 1944 and by the Canadian Forces until the end of the war in 1945.

A concrete formation still remains from the Radar Station that once overlooked the Atlantic Ocean and served to protect our fair province. A feeling of being placed back in time runs through your veins as you stand and visualize this once very active and important part of our heritage.