Watch and Warn

About the Book

An account of aeroplanes, submarines in our coastal waters and German incursions. Twenty-four thousand volunteers, their reports to filter centers and the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie; one of the highest defended targets in North America.

About the Author

Allan Coggon has spent 40 years in aviation -- 38 as an active pilot and as a helicopter ground school instructor. Receiving his Royal Canadian Air Force Wings in November of 1940, he ended six years of military service by completing an Operational Tour with the Royal Air Force aginst the Japanese forces in South East Asia.

Post-war he moved to Holland where he was employed, with other Canadians, by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Flying Convairs to European capitals and as a Navigator and Pilot on DC-4's and Lockheed Constellations on Trans-Ocean, and Inter-Continental routes to the Dutch East and West Indies. He left KLM to return to Canada in 1952 to fly with Hollinger Air Transport, on the mega-project to build a 360-mile railroad to the interior of Labrador. He then became the personal pilot to Sir James Dunn in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, and thence to Algoma Steel Corporation Ltd, at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He remained there for the balance of his flying career.

Moving to Toronto in 1984, he in 1990 returned to his roots in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. In 1993 he founded the AirCrew Association of Nova Scotia and in 1995 the Silver Dart Chapter of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society in Halifax, and is its current president. Several references are made to Coggon in Milbury's extensive tome: Air Transport in Canada.

Encomiums supporting Watch and Warn

Angela Dobler, Managing Editor, Vanwell Publishing wrote:

"..you have added a significant piece to the historical record of the Second World War"

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"...I found it very interesting. There were certainly lots going on here at home, on both coasts that nobody ever got to know until now. Your research was very thorough, and it paid off with the production of a most fascinating book. I hope it sells well."

Sam Shapton Ex B-25 pilot, White Rock, BC

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"This is a story of ordinary people who answered their country's urgent call for help". Those are the opening words to the Prologue of a new book by Allan Coggon of Nova Scotia. You too will be fascinated by this excellent story. He was an active pilot in Atlantic Canada in 1941 to 1943. A year later he was en route to "The Forgotten War" in Burma, South East Asia Command. Order it, you won't regret it.

Ken Pask, Regional Secretary AirCrew Association, Western Canada.

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In "Watch and Warn" Al Coggon has described the efforts of Canadians, both military and civilian, to protect the Canadian homeland from enemy action during the Second World War. In particular, he has told the little known story of the Aircraft Detection Corps that provided invaluable information in the days before radar and reliable radios. Although no enemy aircraft reached this continent, Japanese submarines shelled the Pacific Coast and German submarines sank ships off our East Coast and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. All this is history that needed to be recorded.

Charles D. Maginley, Naval Historian

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W/C EDWARD BURNETT GOODSPEED, OBE (FOR FOUNDING THE ADC)

"I am deeply impressed by the detail and accuracy of Coggon's research from archival material and ADC volunteer's memories, now six decades old, and by the engaging way he tells this story...I recommend Coggon's Watch and Warn for those who never knew about these Canadian citizens who performed their duty on the home-front...

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ONE ANONYMOUS OBSERVER WROTE:

"I spend hours developing 'spotters neck' and 'hill-climbers calves' for nothing thank God. I froze during long night hours last winter. I stood in soaking rain peering into weather listed as zero-zero; 1 spent hours listening, for nothing, in weather when even the birds were on instruments. I have reported the same old transports the same R. C.A. F. planes, the same commercial craft. I have worn enough clothes to start a rummage sale and often looked like one on those long winter watches last February.

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Al Coggon writes of a hitherto little acknowledged, but vital contribution, to wartime defence right here in our own "back yard" by the most vigilant women and men of the Aircraft Detection Corps.

"Watch and Warn" is a well researched read for a weekend and a source of future reference.

David Waterbury, ex RCAF Navigator.