Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-03-01

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 7/10. After church parade which took place at 09.00 hrs, flying training included Lorenz, Blind approaches and formation flying. At 14.30 hrs. a lecture was given to flying personnel on “How to escape from occupied territory” Defence training was continued for other personnel.

1942-03-02

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 6/10. Lorenz and Blind approaches were continued and practice take-offs with full load were also practiced.

1942-03-03

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 6/10 with mist. Flying training included Blind approaches, Lorenz and Z.Z. practice, instrument flying and practice take-offs with full load. Flying personnel were instructed in the construction of aircraft in case of landing in emergency in occupied territory and on the use of oxygen. Observers practice on A.M.L. Bombing teacher and Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-03-04

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 8/10. Lorenz practice and practice take-off with full load were continued and other training included local training flights, Link trainer for Pilots. W/O Depowski returned from detachment to C.G.S., Chalverston and F/O. Klecha, Sgts. Wize, and Tomaszewski proceeded on attachment to Boscombe Down for special training. F/Lt. Kotlowski Medical Officer of Squadron gave lecture to crew personnel on the correct use of oxygen.

1942-03-05

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 10/10 with flurries of snow, which prevented flying practice. at 14.05 hours a lecture was given to aircrews on searchlight co-operation. Observers practed on A.M.L. Bombing Teacher and Link Trainer for Pilots. Defence training was continued by other personnel.

1942-03-06

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 10/10 with mist which again prevented flying practice. At 14.00 hrs. a lecture was give by P/O. Solak Station Signal Officer on Wireless and Lorenz, and at 15.00 hrs. F/Lt. Kotlowski again gave a lecture on the use of oxygen.

1942-03-07

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 8/10. F/O. Dobrzanski proceeded on attachment to R.A.F. Mildenhall for Blind Approach Course. Flying training included X-countries. P/O. Solak again gave a lecture, on this occasion, I.F.F. and intercommunication. Defence training continued by other personnel.

1942-03-08

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 8/10. Flying training included Lorenz practice, instrument flying, air firing, formation flying and X-countries. Night training flights were also included. Operations were order with ESSEN as the target. Briefing for crews took place at 16.00 hrs. Time of take off after midnight.

1942-03-09

HEMSWELL

Operation was carried out against ESSEN by 9 aircraft between 01.35 and 07.10 hours. K-1320 abandoned mission and returned to base at 02.50 hrs. due to engine trouble. Crews reported no cloud and good visibility over target but ground haze prevented accurate observation of results of bombing. All crews, however, reported seeing many fires both in and around Krupps. All returned safely.
Operations were again ordered against the same target, which was carried out by 7 aircraft between 19.50 hours and 00.55 hrs. Again ground haze prevented accurate observation but many fires were left burning fiercely after the raid. All aircraft returned safely.
During the day flying training included instrument flying.
Sgt. Szuba proceeded on posting to No. 18 O.T.U.

1942-03-10

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 6/10. X-countries and instrument flying was carried out. Preparations were made for the third successive attack on ESSEN which was carried out by 7 aircraft. The crews were briefed at 14.00 hours and take off co[…..] at 19.30 hrs. and last aircraft returned to base at 01.05 hours. Low clouds prevented observation of bombing results on this attack, but reflection of bursts and fires could be seen through the clouds.

1942-03-11

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 8/10. Flying training was confined to local training flights as majority of the crews were resting after operations. Lady Hoare visited the Squadron and distributed comforts to the personnel in the presence of the Station and Squadron Commanders.

1942-03-12

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 6/10. Flying training included instrument flying and X-countries. Preparations were made for operations which were this time ordered against KIEL. Crews were briefed at 14.00 hrs. and the attack was carried out by 6 crews between 19.20 hrs and 01.40 hrs. Visibility being good many fires were seen in the Dock-yard area although searchlight glare prevented accurate observation. All aircraft returned safely.

1942-03-13

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 6/10. A search was carried out for missing crew of 301 Squadron, who landed in the sea, without success. Air firing practice, X-countries and Lorenz practice were carried out, also night training flights. Aircraft were inspected and defence practice continued.

1942-03-14

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 0/10. Flying training included formation flying, X-countries and Lorenz practice. A congratulatory message from the A.O.C. No. 1 Group for good work performed was received. All personnel give half-day off.

1942-03-15

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 4/10. After church parade which took place at 09.00 hrs. Lorenz practice, formation flights and X-countries were carried out. Aircraft inspected and defence practice continued.

1942-03-16

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 6/10 with rain in the evening. Sgt. Wielondek proceed on attachment to R.A.F. Cranage. Flying training included formations flights and X-countries. Observers practiced on A.M.L. Bombing Teacher and Link Trainer for Pilots. F/O. Dobrzanski returned from detachment to R.A.F. Mildenhall.

1942-03-17

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 7/10. Flying training included Lorenz practice, X-countries, single engine flying and bombing practice. Night training flights were also carried out.

1942-03-18

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 7/10 with mist and rain which confined flying training to local flights. Squadron personnel given half-day off.

1942-03-19

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 10/10 with mist which prevented flying training. Observers practice A.M.L. Bombing Teacher and Link trainer for Pilots. Defence training was continued by ground personnel.

1942-03-20

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 10/10 with mist which again prevented flying training. F/O. Jasinski arrived on posting from 138 Squadron. Parachute, fire and dinghy drill practice was carried out by flying personnel.

1942-03-21

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 10/10 with mist. No flying practice again. Squadron personnel given half-day off.

1942-03-22

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 10/10 with mist which confined flying practice to Lorenz practice and Local flights. Crews were briefed for operations at 14.00 hours. These, however, were cancelled.

1942-03-23

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 10/10 with mist. Lorenz practice, X –countries, and local training flights were carried out, also a night X-country flight. Ground turret firing practice was carried out by Air Gunners. Preparations were made for operations which, however, were canceled.

1942-03-24

HEMSWELL

Ground mist with no cloud. Flying training included formation flights, single engine flying and X-countries. Preparations were again made for operations but again they were cancelled.

1942-03-25

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 8/10. Lorenz practice was continued and practice take-offs with full load. Preparations were made for operations which were carried out by 13 crews between 20.50 and 01.55 hrs. ESSEN was again the target. The attack was made between 16,000/17,000 ft bursts being seen but unable to pinpoint. Many fires were seen, however, in the target area, one particularly large one being seen for 20 minutes after leaving the target. H-1213 attracted by large fire at Oberhausen delivered attack from 17,000 ft at 23.29 hours and bursts were seen in town. Q-1268 attacked believed aerodrome lights at 51.45 N and 04.10 E at 22.41 hrs. This attack was made instead of primary due to overheating of engines which prevented the ability to climb above 14,000 feet. All aircraft returned to base safely.

1942-03-26

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 3/10. Flying training was confied to X-countries and local flying. Operations were again ordered with Essen as the target. Crews were briefed at 14.00 hours and 10 aircraft carried out the operation between 19.35 and 00.45. The attack was delivered from 16,000 to 17,000 ft, bursts were seen in the target area many fires accruing., although the use of too many flares and searchlight glare made accurate observation extremely difficult. L-1269 failed to return to base. This aircraft glare made accurate observation extremely difficult. L-1269 failed to return to base. This aircraft was crewed by F/O s. ZELAZINSKI, JAKUBOWSKI, P/O. USZPOLEWICZ, & SGTS. KWIECINSKI, NIEMCZYK & STACHURSKI. A-1256 jettisoned bombs at 21.43 hrs. at Kampen owing to being attacked by twin-engined enemy fighter. This disappeared after bursts fired by own aircraft and evasive action being taken. Enemy aircraft did not return fire. F-1291 was hit by flak over target and the rear gunner, Sgt. SLABIKOWSKI was killed. Flak was particularly heavy on the occasion on this attack and the 9 aircraft that returned to base were all slightly damaged.

1942-03-27

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 3/10. P/O. Boczkowski proceeded on posting to No. 18 O.T.U. Flying training included X-countries. Aircraft were inspected and serviced. Ground personnel continued defence practice.

1942-03-28

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 2/10. Bombing practice, X-countries, and local training flights were carried out. Preparations were made for operations with LUBECK as the target. Crews were briefed at 14.00 hrs. and 7 aircraft carried out the operation between 21.30 and 04.00 hrs. The weather was very good over the target and the mid highly successful. All crews reported the target enveloped in flame and smoke which at times rose to 5000 ft. All aircraft returned to base safely.

1942-03-29

HEMSWELL

No cloud. X-countries were included in flying training. A search of sea was made for aircraft of 304 Squadron which however was uncessussful. Aircraft were inspected and serviced. In afternoon Squadron personnel were given half-day.

1942-03-30

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 6/10. Bombing practice, x-countries and local training flights were carried out. The burial took place at Newark of SGT. SLABIKOWSKI.

1942-03-31

HEMSWELL

Cloud cover 8/10. Take-off practice with full load were included in flying training. Observers practice on A.M.L. Bombing Teacher and Link Trainer for pilots. Ground personnel continued defence practice.

[Illegible]
Wing Commander, Commanding,
No. 300 (Polish) Squadron