DAILY DIARY
6 RADIO DETACHMENT - LOUISBOURG, NOVA SCOTIA
22 Feb 1943 to 20 Oct 1943
22 Feb 43
R101358LAC O'Neill, JG on charge for disregarding Station Standing Orders. The New Recreation Hall was opened and the YMCA from Sydney showed a movie, titled "Men of Texas".
23 Feb 43
The new snow plough was assembled by R50334 LAC Drysdale, DH, R113533 LAC Hanson, JD R141308 LAC Hutton, SM and R187466 AC1 Tainsh, LS was tried out by LAC Drysdale and Hanson on road to Louisbourg and works very satisfactorily.
24 Feb 43
Worked from 0100 to 0330 hrs on Aerial Rotor - grounded wire and rotor would not turn. Flight Liutenant RJ Ramsay (C21494) RC Padre arrived on temporary duty from RCAF Station, Sydney, NS.
25 Feb 43
Captain LG Israel, Dental Officer from RCAF. Station Sydney, arrived with his two assistants F78632 Cpl McDonald, MO and F32567 Pte Cussock, RE. The YMCA was unable to come to our Station for the regular Thursday night show, so the machine and films were brought out on the ration truck, and the show was put on by two of our men R108107 LAC Gregoire, MJPR and R144500 AC1 Thomas, TE R101358 LAC O'Neill, JG admitted to RCAF Station Hospital, Sydney, NS.
26 Feb 43
Pilot Officer VE Hawkeswood (C20901)(RDF) taken on strength on posting from EAC Headquarters for instructions and experience. R101358 LAC O'Neill, JG discharged from Sydney Station Hospital. Weather very cold and clouds forming.
27 Feb 43
During the night a six inch fall of snow fell with a slight thaw following. Aerial iced up badly, but operations continued.
28 Feb 43
R199398 Guinane, W Foreman of Works (W&B) "A", reported on posting from EAC Headquarters. Peculiar trouble experienced at time on PPI tube - brilliant flashes of trace, but only at times. Investigation pointed to Intensity control, and this was changed and trouble cleared up during next maintenance. No time lost on operation.
Station strength:
3 Officers
3 Senior NCO's
80 Cpls and Other Ranks.
Total - 86
(BF Deshaw) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding
RCAF Detachment, Louisbourg, NS
27 May 43
Foggy day. Dance held in Recreation Hall with 50 visitors from Glace Bay, arranged through RC Padre.
28 - 30 May 43
Fog and rain.
31 May 43
Fog and rain. In general, the health of the Station personnel was good. The number of days lost through illness during the month was approximately 58 and the number reporting for Sick Parade was 270. To a large extent, upper respiratory infections were responsible, while infections as boils and slight accidents made up for a few. During the month a considerable number of accidents occurred, that is, in comparison to the number in other months. One Airman was accidently shot through the palmar region of the right hand without any bone involvement. Another was injured while carrying out his operational duties, receiving injury to the right knee, still another received a severe laceration to the first finger, right hand. A deviated nasal septum, accounted for another accident. During a ball game an airman received injuries to the right knee. A fairly serious lacration to the left ear and mastoid region necessitated medical attention. In all these cases, where shock was present, this was treated first, and proper sedatives administered before removing to Hospital. During the latter part of the month, a slight epidemic of urticaria occurred, but has since been cleared up.
Strength:
3 Officers
92 Airmen
1 Jun 43
A number of airmen attended a dance held in Glace Bay.
Strength: Officers - 2, Airmen - 92.
2 Jun 43
Flight Lieutenant Joyce and Flight Lieutenant Whiteford, RCAF Station Sydney, visited this Detachment. Max. range 104 miles.
3 Jun 43
The YMCA from RCAF Station Sydney, showed a picture show, titled "Wild Bill Hickok Rides".
4 Jun 43
Personnel on the Detachment planted Victory Gardens in two locations.
5 Jun 43
NIL
6 Jun 43
Cpl Walden arrived from No. 1 MU, Scoudouc to inspect Ant. turning motor. The motor was found to be very dirty, and the rubber coupling to the gear box was in bad condition. Sent signal requesting new coupling.
7 Jun 43
NIL
8 Jun 43
The Red Cross Society in Louisbourg donated curtains for the new Recreation Hall.
9 Jun 43
Cpl Knott and party arrived from No. 1 MU, Scoudouc for Quarterly Overhaul.
10 Jun 43
Grass is beginning to appear where lawns were sown. Decided to start Unit paper. Off the air for 7 hours for Quarterly Overhaul on Tx. This work done at night. Satisfactory.
11 Jun 43
Off the air for 8 hrs. 42 mins. for Quarterly Overhaul. This work done at night. Satisfactory.
12 Jun 43
Off the air for 5 hrs. 7 mins. for Quarterly Overhaul. Finished Thyratron and Rx.
13 Jun 43
Off the air for 4 hrs. 38 mins. for Quarterly Overhaul, on Aerials etc. Max range 143 miles.
(VJ Hawkeswood) F/O,
OC, RCAF Detachment.
1 Oct 43
NIL
2 Oct 43
Very little operational activity. Heavy fog all day. Stag party for Softball teams held in Canteen. About eight Navy and fifteen Army and civilians, non permanent army, attended.
3 Oct 43
Hydro power off from 11.22 to 13.05. Heavy fog. Little operational activity. V9 in Thyratron unit 2C replaced during DI.
4 Oct 43
Changed PRF from 480 to 420 in order to improve linearity on H/R tube. Informed No. 20 Detachment of change.
5 Oct 43
Little operational activity. Persistent fog and rain. Hydro power off from 16.25 to 16.50 hrs.
6 Oct 43
NIL
7 Oct 43
Considerable operational activity. Max range 133 mi. without IFF. Thirty-one personnel of this unit donated blood to the Red Cross Clinic in Louisbourg. C1687 S/L McKenzie, CJ; C6041 S/L Cann, FW Sydney, NS and C1862 S/L Christy, RG visited this unit for inspection and to discuss arrangements for Fifth Victory Loan.
8 Oct 43
Considerable operational activity.
9 Oct 43
Considerable operational activity. Max range, 102 mi. without IFF
10 Oct 43
Off air 0735 to 0802 hrs. C10 Thyratron unit 2A defective.
11 Oct 43
Considerable operational activity.
12 Oct 43
Line to Halifax went dead for 2 min. at 2205 hrs. Abnormal atmospheric conditions apparently lowering lobes. SV's plotted at 106 miles. Bank of PE's with S/N of 3/1 appears from 225º - 262º and from 44 to 85 miles.
13 Oct 43
Still abnormal conditions showing with unusual PE's and 116 mi. range on SV Max range 135 mi. no IFF.
14 Oct 43
Still abnormal conditions PE at 180º 138 mi. S/N of 2/1 apparently, Sable Island.
15 Oct 43
Hydro power off at 12.16 to 13.06 and again at 17.55 to 18.30. Considerable activity. Max range 124 mi. without IFF.
16 Oct 43
Still abnormal condition showing on screens. PE's 290º to 325º - 38 to 48 miles and 330º to 355º 30 to 65 miles. PE at 15º - 115 mi. S/N of 2/1. Apparently Newfoundland.
17 Oct 43
No aircraft plotted, very poor flying weather. Heavy fog. Abnormal PE's faded out.
18 Oct 43
Considerable operational activity - good flying weather. Max range 106 mi. without IFF Concert party and dance afterwards.
19 - 20 Oct 43
NIL
This page is located at
http://www.pinetreeline.org/rds/rds6-2.html
Updated: March 28, 2003