Volume 4, 1951 - The Arctic Circle - Home

Meanwhile other trials and tests v~ere taking place.
ln order to maintain a five-day infantry exercise called
Button, made in the Button Bay region, a supply point was
established by tractor train in the area, and supplies and
equipment were issued; the re-supply was carried out by
tractor train from Fort Churchill. ln addition amIJlunition
for field artillery trials was moved, and general transport
commitments, such as transportation of pre-fabricated
buildings and stores, were carried out by tractor train
in the Fort Churchill area.
The 1947-8 trials and exercises provided the Corps
with a nucleus of trained personnel and proved that it
was feasible to employ tractor trains in the establishment
of a line of communication in northern winter operations.
It was considered advisable to continue and advance the
training of this specialist group and to expand tractor
train operations during the winter of 1948-9.
ln order to facilitate training and to permit the
concentration of adequate tradesmen for larger exercises
and operations, a new Arctic Platoon was added to 23
Transport Company R.C.A.S.C. and the company was given
the responsibility of any R.C.A.S.C. northern operation.
The AI'ctic Platoon is completely self-contained: welders,
blacksmiths, carpenters, and diesel mechanics ensure repair
and maintenance both at base and on the trail; cooks and
clerks are also included, the latter to keep complete
records and shipping vouchers for aIl stores and equipment
transported. This platoon fitted in very weIl, as 23 Transport
Company already had a standard transport platoon for
the movement of stores and equipment from depots to railways
or air terminaIs, and an air supply platoon for supply
operations from rear or forward air heads and for the
establishment of an emergency air supply unit at any base
from which the tractor trains were operating. The reorganizing
of the company was completed and aIl personnel
of the 1947-8 trials team, with added R.C.A.S.C. and
R.C.E.M.E. personnel who had been selected for 1948-9
winter operations, attended an extensive course on the
maintenance and repair of tractors at the Caterpillar
Tractor Company, Peoria, Illinois, U.S.A.
The R.C.A.S.C. Maintenance Detachment (tractor
train) operating from Fort Churchill during the winter of
1948-9 was responsible for supply points for small exercises
and the cross-country transport of stores and equipment such
as had been carried out during the previous year. It also