were constantly on duty at the fire fronts on 12—hour shifts, making a total of about 300 airmen active on the fire fronts each day.

On September 8, more than 50 vehicles laden with troops, supplies and equipment came from Camp Gagetown. It was explained that when dis— aster occurs, the nearest service provides emergency assistance until such time as the army, which has civil defence as one of its responsibilities, can be brought to the scene. They set up headquarters and living quarters in tents at Tyne Valley. They had their own cooking and food service facili- ties. The two hundred man task force was made up of personnel from the Royal Canadian Dragoons and included army engineers, signallers, mechanics and medical corps personnel. The Canadian Provost Corps were the first outside troops to arrive in the province and earned warm praise from RCMP and provincial authorities for their assistance in con- trolling traffic. This enabled the police to concentrate on the important task of maintaining radio control from all fire areas with the dispatch car at Ellerslie.

On September 9, two hundred more troops from Camp Gagetown joined the others at Tyne Valley. An army mobile field kitchen unit at the Ellerslie Legion Home produced hot meals for the fire fighters. It was sending out meals to about 200 men on duty in the woods. Volunteer Red Cross men and women delivered these meals. Breakfasts were served for five or six hours beginning at 4 A.M. Food donations continued to arrive from many parts of the Island to feed the working force that grew to upwards of 1,000 men during the day.

On September 12, Hurricane Donna was expected to bring heavy rain, bUt although there was some, there was not as much rain as had been hOped for. Strong winds fanned the embers in some places, and occasion— al outbreaks were reported.

On September 14, steady rain was thought to have ended the battle, but on September 15, fires were still burning in several areas, requiring the Services of pumper trucks. However, the fires were steadily declining

On September 16, about three—quarters of the army contingent was released from fire suppression duty and left Tyne Valley for Camp Gagetown by road convoy of 90 vehicles. One hundred twenty troopers remained for a time to patrol the 100 square mile area and quell any fur— ther outbreaks.

Major Simons was relieved of his duties and the Department of Industry

CHAPTER FOUR ~ MOVING ON 103