Wartime Heritage ASSOCIATION

Yarmouth, September 1939 — A German Freighter Slips Away as War Looms On the evening of September 2, 1939, the quiet harbour of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, became the stage for a tense and little-known episode on the cusp of global war. A German freighter, docked for several days to load a cargo of lumber, prepared for a sudden departure before all the lumber was loaded. Its captain, a German national, received urgent instructions to leave immediately. As townspeople speculated about the escalating crisis in Europe, few realized that the vessel’s hasty exit was perhaps a calculated move to escape the tightening grip of British naval forces. By dawn on September 3, as Britain declared war on Germany following the invasion of Poland, the freighter was already at sea. The ship’s departure marked Yarmouth’s first brush with the war, a fleeting but symbolic moment foreshadowing profound changes to come. RCAF Station Yarmouth: From Farmland to Airfield Before the war, Yarmouth had no airport, just open fields stretching from Starr’s Road to Argyle Street. But by late 1939, land was purchased and cleared for what would become RCAF Station Yarmouth. Construction continued through 1942, culminating in a fully operational airbase with hangars, runways, and two distinct camps: East and West. The station transformed Yarmouth into a strategic hub for training and coastal defense. Camp 60: Training Canada’s Infantry Established in 1940 on Parade Street, Camp 60 trained over 20,000 infantry recruits under the National Resources Mobilization Act. Young men from across Canada arrived for basic training, enduring a strict regimen of drills, lectures, and inspections. The camp became a fixture of wartime Yarmouth, with soldiers forging strong ties with the local community. West Camp and Anti-Submarine Patrols West Camp became operational in July 1940 with the arrival of No. 119 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron. Flying Hudsons and later Cansos and Venturas, squadrons launched daily patrols over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Bay of Fundy, escorting convoys and hunting U-boats. The camp hosted multiple squadrons and specialized units, anchoring Yarmouth’s role in Atlantic defense. East Camp: Arrival of No. 34 OTU In April 1942, East Camp welcomed No. 34 Operational Training Unit, 700 RAF personnel arriving from the United Kingdom to complete their training. They eventually relocated to Pennfield Ridge in New Brunswick. East Camp later hosted No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, specializing in armament training for British airmen. TAGs and the Fleet Air Arm Telegraphist Air Gunners (TAGs) of the Royal Navy trained at East Camp between 1943 and 1945. These young men combined wireless communication with aerial gunnery, operating Morse code equipment while manning rear guns in aircraft like the Swordfish. Of the TAGs trained during the war, 570 completed their instruction in Yarmouth, many forming lasting memories of the town’s hospitality. Tusket’s Hidden Radar Station Just outside Yarmouth, No. 3 Radio Detachment Station at Tusket operated in secrecy from 1942 onward. Staffed by radar specialists and support personnel, the station scanned the skies and seas for enemy activity, feeding intelligence to Eastern Air Command. Its quiet presence was a vital part of Canada’s wartime surveillance network. Merchant Ships and Coastal Convoys Yarmouth’s harbour received visits from merchant ships. Though not a major transatlantic port, Yarmouth served as a safe waypoint for coastal convoys, linking the town to the broader logistics of war. Cemeteries in Yarmouth hold the graves of two Merchant seamen who died of illness, and one seaman wounded by enemy attack, and brought into the port. Crashes and the Cost of Training Both East and West Camp experienced aircraft crashes during the war, often during training or patrol missions. Mechanical failures, and poor weather, contributed to tragic losses, reminders of the risks faced even far from combat zones. Community Involvement and Wartime Life Yarmouth’s residents were deeply involved in the war effort. They built the bases, hosted airmen, and staffed the YMCA’s Red Triangle Room, a haven of warmth and connection. Churches, civic groups, and families supported servicemen with meals, socials, and friendship, forging bonds that endured long after the war. Wartime Marriages in Yarmouth Love blossomed amid uncertainty, as many servicemen married local women during their time in Yarmouth. These marriages brought joy and stability, anchoring young couples to the community and creating lasting ties between Yarmouth and the men who served. Civilian Defense and Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Local civilians prepared for potential attacks with blackout drills, air raid sirens, and the role of wardens. Even though Yarmouth wasn’t bombed, the displayed readiness and community coordination. The Role of Women in Wartime Yarmouth Women served as nurses, clerks, and volunteers. Many served in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) others volunteered to staff local support centers like the Red Triangle Room, Red Cross activities and church dances. Postwar Transition and the Return Home As the war ended, Yarmouth welcomed its veterans back with pride. Reintegration was not always easy, but the community rallied to support those who had served. Memorials were erected, legions founded, and stories preserved, ensuring the sacrifices were never forgotten. The Young Men Who Changed the Town From 1939 onward, Yarmouth was transformed by the arrival of thousands of young men, airmen, soldiers, and telegraphist air gunners, who came to train, serve, and prepare for war. Their presence reshaped the town’s rhythm as uniforms became a common sight on Main Street, barracks rose where fields once lay, and the sound of aircraft engines filled the skies. These men brought energy, discipline, and stories from across Canada and the Commonwealth. Some stayed briefly, others for months, and many left for overseas service. The impact of their departure lingered, in friendships formed, hearts touched, and a community forever changed by their presence. Local Losses and Lasting Memory Yarmouth did not escape the cost of war. Dozens of local men, sons, brothers, husbands, served and never returned.