Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-02-01

HEMSWELL

No flying due to adverse weather conditions. Flying personnel attended lecture on M.E. 110.

1942-02-02

HEMSWELL

No operation were ordered. Snow continued to fall covering the ground to a depth of two inches with drifts up to eight inches. Delegation sent to funeral of F/O [……] (301 Sqdn) which took place at Newark. F/O Lawrenczuk and Sgts. Leskiewicz, Reiss, Zielinski, Wysocki, Socha, Kordys, Sosinski and Pacut posted to No. 18 O.T.U. for instructor duties.

1942-02-03

HEMSWELL

No flying, again due to adverse weather conditions. Bomb aimers on A.M.L. Teacher and Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-04

HEMSWELL
Squadron ordered to “stand-by” for daylight operations from 06.30 hrs until dusk and instructed to “stand-by” from 06.30 in the morning. Local tests flights were carried out. F/O Kracinski returned from detachment to R.A.F. Mildenhall.

1942-02-05

HEMSWELL

Operational “stand-by” was continued to operations were ordered but cancelled at 18.00 hrs. During the day local flights included X-countries and Lorenz practice.

1942-02-06

HEMSWELL

Operational stand-by was continued with operations against Brest as addition. Nine aircraft attacked with observing results. B.H.-P. returned to base after 20 minutes due to oil system failure, bombs were brought back. Returning to base B.H.-F. crash landed at Exeter. P/O Veit, F/Sgt Bialy and Sgt. Niezewski were killed. F/O Kracinski and F/O Chomka seriously injured. Flare exploded in B.H.-O and Captain thinking aircraft hit by A.A. and that fire might accure gave order to bale out. Sgt. Sadurski baled out without parachute ad was killed. Sgt. Stachurski also baled out, but landed safely. Remainder of crew stayed in aircraft and captain landed safely. Local training flights included instrument flying.

1942-02-07

HEMSWELL

Operational stand-by continued until 18.00 hrs. Local training flights included instrument and Lorenz practice. Link Trainer for Pilots. F/Lt Zurawski posted to Station Head-quarters for flying S.N. duties.

1942-02-08

HEMSWELL

“Stood-down” in afternoon and aircraft were tested. Local training flights included X-countries F/O Dreja proceeded to R.A.F. Mildenhall for B.A. Course.

1942-02-09

HEMSWELL

Owing to adverse weather conditions only one training flights was carried out. Ground defence exercises were carried out.

1942-02-10

HEMSWELL

Local and X-country training flights were carried out, other crew personnel had Parachute, fire and dinghy drill. Operations were ordered and eight aircraft successfully attacked Bremen, all returned safely. B.H.-P. was attacked by an unidentified aircraft at a point approaching Schillig. The attack was carried out at 18,000 ft. from red quarter approaching to within 60 yards. Sgt. Miniakowski was wounded.

1942-02-11

HEMSWELL

Operations ordered again, this time for six fresher crews against Le Havre. All returned safely. Local training flights were carried out.

1942-02-12

HEMSWELL

P/O Dzierzbicki proceeded on posting to No. 304 Sqdn. for flying duties. Low clouds made visibility very poor and confined training flights to 30 minutes. The squadron carried out DAYLIGHT operations for the first time against German warships in the Channel. Four aircraft took part but low clouds and haze made location extremely difficult and no results were observed.

1942-02-13

HEMSWELL

Local training flights were carried out and operations were also carried out the target being Le Havre. All aircraft returned safely.

1942-02-14

HEMSWELL

During the day training flights were carried out, also at night. Five crews operated against Cologne but due to thick cloud observation was difficult over target. Sudden cahnge of bomb load necessitated maintenance personnel workly quickly to complete preparation in time for take-off.

1942-02-15

HEMSWELL

Lorenz practice and training flights. Link trainer for pilots. Ground personnel continued defence exercises. F/O […..] returned from detachment to R.A.F. Mildenhall. F/O Jakubowski proceeded to Manby for Bombing Leaders Course.

1942-02-16

HEMSWELL

Local training flights. Operations carried out by ten aircraft against Bremen. B.H.-H. returned to base due to starboard engine trouble. Bombs jettisoned in sea 10 miles east of Mabelthorpe. Magnetic storm interfered with the home coming of four machines which necessitated making landings at Drem, Crosby, Hibaldstow and Squires Gate. All landed safely and there were no casualties.

1942-02-17

HEMSWELL

X-country and local training flights were carried out. Aircraft tested and Link trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-18

HEMSWELL

Lorenz practice and training flights. Firing range practice for Air Gunners.

1942-02-19

HEMSWELL

St. Nazaire was the target selected for operations, but they were cancelled at 17.00 hrs. X-country Lorenz practice and local training flights were carried out.

1942-02-20

HEMSWELL

Training flying and recognition lectures for crews.

1942-02-21

HEMSWELL

F/O Malec proceeded to R.A.F. Mildenhall for B.A. Course. F/Sgt Hulas and Sgt Kidziak, Muszynski and Niemira arrived for flying duties from No. 18 O.T.U. Training flying.

1942-02-22

HEMSWELL

Operations were carried out against Wilhelmshaven by 10 aircraft, but due to 10/10 cloud over target observation was difficult in the extreme. B.H.-H. on returning to base landed at Hibaldstow.

1942-02-23

HEMSWELL

Intermittent snow showers during the day. Training flights were carried out.

1942-02-24

HEMSWELL

Aircraft tests were carried out and A.M.L. teacher for Bomb Aimers. Training flying during the day and night.

1942-02-25

HEMSWELL

Training flying during the day. Operations were carried out by nine aircraft against Kiel, weather conditions were slightly better on this operation and bursts were observed in the target area. B.H.-S. returned to base due to technical trouble, bombs were jettisoned about 20 miles east of Bomber estuary.

1942-02-26

HEMSWELL

A search was ordered for missing crew of No. 301 Sqdn but without success. Night training flying.

1942-02-27

HEMSWELL

Training flying and Lorenz practice during day. F/O. Malec returned from detachment to R.A.F. Mildenhall. Kiel was again attacked by nine aircraft, but bad visibility prevented observation. All aircraft returned safely.

1942-02-28

HEMSWELL

Aircraft tested. Link trainer for Pilots.

[Illegible]
Flight Lieutenant Adjutant,
for, Wing Commander, Commanding,
No. 300 (Polish) Squadron.