Comments on: Greenland during World War II

By: Trudy Rush

Trudy Rush — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:06:14 +0000

My father was stationed in Greenland during WWII. He was an radio operator and had pictures of local people, whom he said were very friendly. He talked about learning to ski behind a dogsled. Anyone else have family member with this tye of service in Greenland?

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 23:00:48 +0000

My late husband’s uncle was in the US Army in WWII. Supposedly his unit, the HQ Detachment of the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Regiment was in Newfoundland and in September 1942 was sent to Greenland then left a year later, September 1943. I have been looking for more information on his unit’s assignment in Greenland. Anything about the conditions there would be interesting to me too.

By: Michele

Michele — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 03:28:41 +0000

My dad was stationed in Greenland for 22 months during
Michael Fortunato

By: Donald Taub

Donald Taub — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:42:04 +0000

Two weeks after Germany’s occupation of Denmark on April 9, 1940; Ambassador de Kauffmann established the American Greenland Commission in USA a sort of “Government in Exile” to Greenland. Pres. Roosevelt invoked the Monroe Doctrine. and told all of the belligerents (Britain, Canada & Germany) t stay out of Greenland. USA would defend Greenland’s neutrality. The first of a series of US Coast Guard ship departed on May 10, 1940. to establish a US Consulate, weapons and a “volunteer garrison at the vital cryolite mine (necessary to produce aluminum) at Ivigtut, and begin the search for potential air bases as fueling stops for ferrying US military aircraft to Britain. Next, two conferences of the Western Hemisphere nations established the Neutrality Zones surrounding the Western Hemisphere, and to provide for the defense of Greenland, which resulted in the Agreement on April 9, 1941, for USA to establish US military facilities and air bass there. Weather reporting from NE Greenland was vital to Germany., and initially used Norwegian Weather stations, which were “shutdown” by the Coast Guard. The NE coast was accessible by ships for only 2 – 3 summer months. Thus the USCG, with the agreement of the Governor, established the “Sledge Patrol” on the NE coast in August 1941 as “coast watchers” vs. intruders. Germany responded by establishing its own military weather stations starting in 1942, 43 and 44. The construction of the two main airbases on the west cast began in late 1941, and an auxiliary one on the east cast in 1942.. (The construction of the Cold War era airbase at Thule of the NW coast began in 1951. I was the commander of its supporting remotely located LORAN station, the most northern USCG in the World during 1959-60.

By: Deborah Norling

Deborah Norling — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 05:57:13 +0000

How wonderful to have your father’s diary.
What a treasure to behold.
My Grandpa was also in Greenland in the late 1940’s, but passed away in 1955 after I was born, would have loved to have heard about his adventures in that magical land.

By: John Basile

John Basile — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 09:39:05 +0000

My Uncle, Sgt Peter Basile served in the US Army on Greenland. He was killed in 1944, It is unknown how or actual date. His head stone simply says died 1944. The Westchester County NY service roles has him listed as DNB, died non battle, however the Army has no records for whatever caused his demise, he is buried in Eastchester NY. Myself and my Family are seeking any information that will paint a picture of his experience there and the cause of his death. The US Army and US Government files are claimed to be lost in a fire.
He was a Sgt. and was believed to be in an Anti Aircraft Unit but I imagine with the limited personal, remoteness of duty and many various tasks, he could have played many different roles in his service. Any information would be greatly appreciated. His Brother is still with us and has always wondered.

By: Susan fritz

Susan fritz — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 21:22:57 +0000

It wouldbe amazing to read it. My father spent a short time there in 1945. I have some pictures but that’s about it he didn’t like to talk about that time in his life. I wish he would have kept a diary.

By: Norman Brunt

Norman Brunt — Tue, 08 May 2018 19:22:31 +0000

Did the Royal Air Force use Greenland as a staging post to fly to Canada and the UAS?

By: Keld Iversen

Keld Iversen — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 04:54:17 +0000

My father Iver Iversen was part of a 12 man team who spent 18 months in North East Greenland directly after WW 2
His Diary is amazing