[Milsurplus] Coast Watchers

[Tom Brent]

The recent discussion of coast watcher radio activities and use of the Australian 3BZ has reminded me of a somewhat similar undertaking on the coast of British Columbia during the early days of World War II. The west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands was remote and largely uninhabited territory and military thinking of the day suggested the Japanese navy might be seen "going by the door" if an attempt was made to invade the west coast of North America. Radar stations had been ordered but before they could be built a stopgap measure of stationing personnel at multiple locations on the coast of the Queen Charlottes was instituted. Each detachment consisted of 3 men, a radio operator, a cook and "a man competent at living off the land".  Of course the enemy from the other side of the Pacific never came nearer than the Aleutians but I'm sure the remoteness and harsh weather provided ample challenge. 

These observer detachments will be the subject of future historical research by me, I would dearly love to know what radios they used. Before that happens however I need to finish digging into the WW II signals intelligence activities in the Victoria, BC area. That project has been on hold since my wife and I started building our new home, also located on an island on the British Columbia coast. 

Any tidbits of info on these west coast radio activities would be appreciated.

Regards to all.

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