HISTORY
MILITARY ACTIVITY
MILITARY ACTIVITY
WORLD WAR II
The Wabana Mines of Bell Island played a key role in World War II. Not only was Wabana's iron ore used by the Allies in the manufacture of weapons, ammunition, ships, and other products necessary to wage war, but it was also used by the enemy for the same purpose.
World War II broke out in September 1939. For several years before that, everything was in full swing on Bell Island with 2,200 men employed as Germany, Wabana's best customer outside of its parent company, DOSCO, was buying as much iron ore as possible to feed its war machine. The last shipment of Wabana iron ore left for Germany on August 26th. A week after the last German ore boat left Bell Island, Germany invaded Poland and precipitated World War II.
As with WWI, WWII had profound consequences for Bell Island and the Wabana Mines. Once again overseas markets were lost, causing slow-downs in the mines and lay-offs. Many miners found work on the American bases in St. John’s and Argentia.
In April 1940, the mines went on half-time due to some ore carriers being engaged for military use. DOSCO advised all workers with garden allotments to plant them as they had done during the Great Depression of the 1930s. This situation continued for the duration of the war, ie. through 1945.
Throughout the war, the 1st Coastal Defence Battery was stationed on Bell Island, in barracks situated on Memorial Street.
In 1941, D.I. (Nish) Jackman formed the Wabana Mine Workers’ Union, spurred on by the ongoing work shortage. Also in 1941, Torbay Airport (forerunner of St. John’s International Airport) was constructed “to protect Bell Island from raids by German warplanes.”
On September 5, 1942, the war came to Bell Island when a German U-boat sank 2 ore boats anchored in The Tickle killing 29 sailors. On November 2, 1942, another German U-boat sank 2 more ore boats killing 36 sailors. It was said that the Germans were “throwing back what they had bought a few years before!”
In August 1945, World War II ended; 32 Bell Islanders had been killed.
In March 1946, No. 4 Mine opened for the first time in 3 years as markets began to improve.
In 1948, prosperity returned with the first shipment to Germany since the war began in 1939.
World War II broke out in September 1939. For several years before that, everything was in full swing on Bell Island with 2,200 men employed as Germany, Wabana's best customer outside of its parent company, DOSCO, was buying as much iron ore as possible to feed its war machine. The last shipment of Wabana iron ore left for Germany on August 26th. A week after the last German ore boat left Bell Island, Germany invaded Poland and precipitated World War II.
As with WWI, WWII had profound consequences for Bell Island and the Wabana Mines. Once again overseas markets were lost, causing slow-downs in the mines and lay-offs. Many miners found work on the American bases in St. John’s and Argentia.
In April 1940, the mines went on half-time due to some ore carriers being engaged for military use. DOSCO advised all workers with garden allotments to plant them as they had done during the Great Depression of the 1930s. This situation continued for the duration of the war, ie. through 1945.
Throughout the war, the 1st Coastal Defence Battery was stationed on Bell Island, in barracks situated on Memorial Street.
In 1941, D.I. (Nish) Jackman formed the Wabana Mine Workers’ Union, spurred on by the ongoing work shortage. Also in 1941, Torbay Airport (forerunner of St. John’s International Airport) was constructed “to protect Bell Island from raids by German warplanes.”
On September 5, 1942, the war came to Bell Island when a German U-boat sank 2 ore boats anchored in The Tickle killing 29 sailors. On November 2, 1942, another German U-boat sank 2 more ore boats killing 36 sailors. It was said that the Germans were “throwing back what they had bought a few years before!”
In August 1945, World War II ended; 32 Bell Islanders had been killed.
In March 1946, No. 4 Mine opened for the first time in 3 years as markets began to improve.
In 1948, prosperity returned with the first shipment to Germany since the war began in 1939.