Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1940-07-16

Bramcote
Warwickshire

NOTE: In view of the lack of stationery it has been impracticable to write up Form 540 for this Unit until today, 16.6.40 but retrospective information is given from rough notes which have been kept and from unit records.

No. 300 (Polish) Squadron was formed at Bramcote – near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on 1st July, 1940 under authority of Air Ministry Signal 0/360 dated 28th June, 1940.
The establishment is given in Air Ministry establishment No. War BC/142 dated 8th June, 1940.
The flying equipment of the Unit is sixteen aircraft (Fairey Battle I.E.). The manning principle is to complete the establishment with Polish personnel but to support them with a limited number of British officers and airmen to work in a supervising capacity. Appendix “A” is a list of British personnel which it has been agreed will be required adequately to supervise the work of the Polish personnel until they have adapted themselves fully to the British organisation etc.
The aim is ultimately to release all British personnel from the Squadron.
The following officers arrived at the Squadron on the days indicated.
10.6.40. Wing Commander E.C. Lewis – as British C.O.
10.6.40. Flying Officer S.E. Kellaway – as British Adjutant.
28.6.40. Wing Commander M. Makowski – as Polish C.O.
1.7.40. Flight Lieutenant Kalinowski – as Polish Adjutant.
4.7.40. Squadron Leader K.P. Lewis – (Flying) British.
3.7.40. Flight Lieutenant T. Preston – (Flying) British.
26.6.40. Flight Lieutenant Cwynar Polish as Flight Commander “A” Flight.
4.7.40. Flight Lieutenant Pronaszko Polish as Flight Commander “B” Flight.
26.6.40. Flight Lieutenant Kaczanowski Polish as O.C. Servicing Flight.
1.7.40. Pilot Officer Bialkowski Polish as Armament Officer.
1.7.40. Pilot Officer S. Sroka British as Interpretter.
1.7.40. Pilot Officer Krassowski British as Interpretter.
In addition to the above personnel 8 Flying Officers or Pilot Officer pilots (Polish) and 4 airmen pilots (Polish), 13 Flying Officer or Pilot Officer Observers (Polish) and 3 airmen observers (Polish) have been posted to the Squadron.
The strength of (Polish) Air Gunners is sixteen.
Polish officers have been detailed for such Squadron duties as Parachute Officer, Navigation, Armament, Intelligence (liaison), Watch Office and Link Trainer.
Battle aircraft allotted to the Squadron from Maintenance Units were delivered by ferrying pilots from R.A.F. Station, Benson.

1940-07-01

Bramcote
Warwickshire

08.30. A parade was held at Station Headquarters to inaugurate the formation of this the first Polish Squadron to the Royal Air Force. The parade consisted of British Army Detachments, British Royal Air Force, the personnel forming the Polish Squadron and the Polish airmen of Station Headquarters. The Polish flag was hoisted under the R.A.F ensign.

1940-07-03

Bramcote
Warwickshire

One “Battle” aircraft arrived from Maintenance Unit bringing up the total of sixteen I.E. aircraft allowed by the establishment.

1940-07-04

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Three Polish officers, one British officer and two Polish airmen visited Ansty aerodrome to witness the procedure adopted for night flying training.

1940-07-08

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Wing Commander Lewis visited the O.C., Ballon Barrage, Coventry for a conference regarding control for night flying at this Station.

1940-07-11

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Night flying practice commenced. Two aircraft used – no crews. Interrupted at 0130 hours by “Red” warning.

1940-07-13

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Night flying practice until 0220 hours – 3 aircraft used – no crews.

1940-07-14

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Local flying (day) – W/T tests carried out.

1940-07-15

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Local flying (day) and Night flying. 3 aircraft used – no crews.

1940-07-16

Bramcote
Warwickshire

One aircraft collected spares from other Units. Also, general local flying carried out with full crews. Guns harmonised and fired.

1940-07-17

Bramcote
Warwickshire

General local flying and cross countries carried out. Also night flying practice. 3 aircraft used – no crews.

1940-07-18

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Formation flying, and high and low dive bombing practice carried out over the aerodrome.

1940-07-19

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Dive bombing practice and night flying. 3 aircraft used – no crws.

1940-07-20

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Spot landing without engine and formation flying.

1940-07-21

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Cross country flying. One aircraft was damaged landing at Carlisle. Night flying was commenced but cancelled first aircraft had taken off due to “Red” warning.

1940-07-22

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Local formation flying and H.D. and L.D. practice on aerodrome. Also night flying, but interrupted by “Yellow” warning – two aircraft – four details.

1940-07-23

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Local formation flying and night flying – two aircraft.

1940-07-24

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Cross country flying mainly for W.Os experience.

1940-07-25

Bramcote
Warwickshire

High dive and low level bombing at Otmoor range – Full programme. One pilot posted from R.A.F. Station, Hucknall (Officer).

1940-07-26

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Bombing at Otmoor and night flying practice – Four details.

1940-07-27

Bramcote
Warwickshire

LL Bombing at Otmoor (weather prevented High and Low Dive) also night flying practice – four details.

1940-07-28

Bramcote
Warwickshire

High dive and low level bombing at Otmoor Range. Night flying – six details.

1940-07-29

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Cross country flying and local formation practice.

1940-07-30

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Cross country flying (Battle) and one Anson – loaned to Squadron for two months.
Two Flying Officer (Pilots) posted from R.A.F. Station, Hucknall. Also four airmen (Pilots)

1940-07-31

Bramcote
Warwickshire

Local formation flying and individual flights mainly for experience in W/T procedure.
NOTE: at present there are 15 commissioned pilots and 8 uncommissioned – 13 commissioned Observers and 3 uncommissioned, and 16 Air Gunners/W. Ops. in the Squadron. There is also one commissioned Air Gunner W/Op.