Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-05-01

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions – Visibility 6/10. Crews practiced flying on Lorenz, cross countries and local flights
totaling 11.15 hrs. Fresher pilots completed 2.45 hrs of night flying.

1942-05-02

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions – Visibility 5/10. Practice flying included Lorenz approaches, instrument flying, and
wireless practice totaling 10.20 hrs. During the afternoon F/Lt. Jaronski gave a lecture about the
results of recent operations.

1942-05-03

HEMSWELL
Clear weather conditions. A church service was held at 09.00 hrs following by a speech by F/Lt. Brozek on
the occasion of the Polish National Holiday. Firing practice was then held by Air Gunners using drooge.
In the afternoon 11 crews were briefed for operations with HAMBURG, ST. NAZAIRE AND PARIS as targets.
Flying training included instrument flying and cross countries totaling 7.05 hrs. Night flying was also
practiced being of 2.35 hrs durations. Five aircraft attacked HAMBURG 25 x 500 and 5 x 1000lb G.P. bombs
being dropped. Cloud prevented accurate observation of results but reflection of many fires were seen.
Aircraft J-1183 failed to return to base. Aircraft Q-1268 abandoned primary due to inability to climb over
15000 ft and as alternative Jever aerodrome was attacked. 4 x 500 & 1 z 1000lb G.P. bombs were dropped
here, bursts were seen but appeared to fall short of target. 1 x 500lb failed to release and was brought
back. Aircraft Z-1279 encountered 10/10 cloud 20 miles north of primary and decided to attack Tonning, but
on being held in searchlights in the Meldorf area decided to jettison bombs to evade. Results could not be
observed due to cloud. Aircraft T-1270 abandoned mission after encountering a Ju 88 and bombs were jettisoned
in sea at 54 18 N 08 20 E during evasive action. E-1215 was detailed for attack on ST.NAZAIRE but had to
abandon due to encountering enemy fighter 40 miles off Bridport at 2000 ft. The bomb load was jettisoned in
the sea. During the encounter aerial was shot away. U-1220 was detailed to drop 80 bundles of P.38 on Paris
area.

1942-05-04

HEMSWELL
Clear weather conditions were prevelant throughout the day, and flying training was carried out. Observers
practised on A.M.L. Teacher and link trainer for Pilots. During the night flying training included a cross
country.

1942-05-05

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions were again perfect throughout the day. Areial bombing practice was carried out and
aircraft tested. During the day news was unfortunately received that P/O. JAKUBOWSKI, P/O USZPOLEWICZ and
SGT. STACHURSKI were killed on operations on 26.3.42. Operations were again ordered with STUTTGART AND NANTES as targets. 10 crews were briefed for these operations. Five aircraft attacked STUTTGART. Weather conditions were good over the target but ground haze prevented observations of results, although bursts were seen. Nr1250 could not identify primary owing to dense haze, and attacked aerodrome in Stuttgart area on E.T.A.
This was identified by flare path. It was impossible to see were bombs fell but bursts were observed.
U-1220 abandoned mission as fuel pressure starboard engine dropped and artificial horizon compass not correct
Bomb load was jettisoned safely in sea 53.30 N 00.30E. Two aircraft attacked NANTES from 16000 ft. There was
no cloud but slight haze. 28 x 250 G.P. bombs were dropped and bursts were observed in North & North-West
of “A” Area. F-1291 abandoned mission due to engine trouble, and bombs were jettisoned safe in sea at 48.45N
and 01.37W.

1942-05-06

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions continued to be perfect, and flying training included Lorenz approaches, cross country
and local flying. Observers practiced on A.M.L. Teacher and Link trainer for pilots. Two crews were briefed
for operations with the target again NANTES. Both missions were, however, abandoned due to engine trouble.

1942-05-07

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions – Visibility 10/10. Aircraft were tested and flying training included Lorenz approaches
and cross countries. In the afternoon an inspection of aircraft was carried out.

1942-05-08

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions – Visibility 6/10. the aircraft inspection was continued in the morning and aircrew
personnel received lectures. In the afternoon 7 crews were briefed for operations with WAHNEMUNDE as the
target. Flying training included local flights and Lorenz approaches. Night flying training was also carried
out. 6 aircraft carried out the operations and 3240 x 4lb incend. were dropped. Bursts were seen and many
fires were observed. Nickels were dropped on Rostock. V-1382 abandoned mission due to engine trouble and
bombs were jettisoned in sea near Gedser Cap. Nickels were dropped on Fleusbrug area.

1942-05-09

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions were improved – Visibility 3/10. In the morning flying training included range bombing
and cross countries. Aircraft testing was also carried out. All squadron personnel were given the afternoon off.

1942-05-10

HEMSWELL
Rain and cloud today with visibility 6/10. Church service was held at 09.00 hrs following by lectures given
to flying personnel. Flying training was carried out which included cross countries and local flying.
In the afternoon 8 crews were briefed for operation with BREMEN as the target, later in the evening, however,
at 18.00 hrs. were cancelled due to bad weather conditions.

1942-05-11

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions were very bad today with rain and low cloud, this prevented any flying training being carried
out. Lectures were given to air crew personnel and Link trainer for Pilots. Squadron personnel were given the
afternoon off.

1942-05-12

HEMSWELL
Visibility 9/10. In the morning a church service was held to commemorate the death of Marshal J. PILSUDZKI
for personnel not on duty. Lorenz practice landing were carried out and aircraft testing flights. In the
afternoon practice bombing was carried out on the range and aircraft testing continued.

1942-05-13

HEMSWELL
Weather conditions deterioted with visibility 10/10. Intermittent rain in the morning. Flying training
included Lorenz practice landings, cross countries and local flying. Observers practiced on A.M.L. Bombing
Teacher and Link Trainer for Pilots. In the afternoon F/Os TARAS and RADWANSKI related their adventures
during the time of escaping from occupied France after being shot down on a recent operational flight.

1942-05-14

HEMSWELLl
Visibility 6/10 with mist. In the morning aircraft tests and inspection of aircraft were carried out. Four
crews were briefed for operations in the afternoon with HAMBURG as the target. These were cancelled, however,
at 18.00 hrs. Clear weather conditions prevailed in the evening.

1942-05-15

HEMSWELL
Visibility 7/10 with mist. Flying training included cross countries, George test, landings at Ingham and
formation flying. An inspection of aircraft was carried out in the late afternoon. Weather conditions
improved considerably in the evening.

1942-05-16

HEMSWELL
Visibility 6/10 with intermittent rain. In the morning Air Marshal Ujejski visited the squadron. A parade and
march past was held, and decorations were awarded. Flying training included cross countries and local training
flights. In the afternoon cloudy conditions prevailed.

1942-05-17

HEMSWELL
Visibility 6/10. Church service was held at 09.00 hrs. An inspection of aircraft was carried out the test
flights were also carried out. In the afternoon a part transfer of aircraft and equipment to R.A.F. Ingham
took place.

1942-05-18

HEMSWELL
Visibility 7/10. In the morning the squadron moved to R.A.F. Station, Ingham, and the remainder of the day
was devoted to disposition of squadron requirements and personnel.

1942-05-19

INGHAM
Visibility in morning 3/10 deteriorating later, mist in the evening. During the morning squadron personnel
familiarised themselves with the new aerodrome. In the afternoon pilots air tested the aircraft. Operations
were ordered with MANNHEIM as the target and nine crews were briefed. This was a good start for the new camp. During the course of the day information was received that F/O Wawerski lost on a previous operational flight was safe but interned. The first operational aircraft took off at 22.17 hrs. and 7 attacked the primary, and
55 S.B.C. were dropped in the target area. Visibility over the target was poor with heavy haze which prevented
the crews observing were the bombs fell and results. Fires however were observed after leaving and a large
forest fire was seen north of the town. Nickles were dropped on Darmstadt and photographs attempted.
2 aircraft were detailed for attack on ST. NAZAIRE and target was indentified in good visibility with no cloud
28 x 250lb G.P. Bombs were dropped and several bursts observed. Nickels were dropped on Rennes and two photo attempts were made.

1942-05-20

INGHAM
Visibility 3/10 with slight mist in the evening. The daily inspection of aircraft was carried out and flying
training included Lorenz practice, aircraft testing and a flight to R.A.F. Hemswell. In the afternoon 7 crews
were briefed for operations with ESSEN AS THE TARGET, then later the target was changed to HAMBURG. At 22.00 hrs, however, the operation was cancelled.

1942-05-21

INGHAM
Visibility 7/10, the weather becoming bad in the evening. Flying training included formation flying, aircraft
tests, George tests, and cross countries with landings at Hemswell and Bramcote. Preparations were made for
operations 2 crews being detailed to lay mines off the west coast of France. This operations was cancelled at
18.00 hrs.

1942-05-22

INGHAM
Visibility 6/10 with slight rain and mist. An inspection of aircraft was carried out and preparations for
operations were again made for the same mission as on the 21st, two crews being detailed. The aircraft took
off but were recalled to base before completion of mission. They returned to base safely with the mines.
During the course of the day information was received that Sgt. Chryanowski, missing from a previous operation,
had been interned in Vichy France.

1942-05-23

INGHAM
Visibility 8/10. Lectures were given to crew personnel, and an inspection of aircraft carried out. Preparations
were made for operations but due to very bad weather conditions were unfortunately cancelled at 18.30 hrs.

1942-05-24

INGHAM
Visibility 6/10. In the morning flying and ground personnel attended a Church service at R.A.F. Station Hemswell.
A lecture was given to crew on technique of mine laying. The usual aircraft inspection was carried out and
preparations were made for operations with MANNHEIM as the target. Again operations were cancelled.

1942-05-25

INGHAM
Visibility 6/10 with rain in the afternoon. Flying practice included lorenz practice, one engine flying,
and aircraft testing. Again preparations were made for operation and again cancelled

1942-05-26

INGHAM
Visibility 8/10 in afternoon rain and cloud. An inspection of aircraft was carried out and flying practice
included formation flying, one engine flying and four cross countries. Operations were ordered and prepared
for with KIEL as the target, but again, due to bad weather conditions, were cancelled. The crews deeply
took this constant cancellation of operations to heart.

1942-05-27

INGHAM
Visibility 6/10 with slight rain and strong wind. Flying practice included one flight Hemswell-Base, high
flying tests and one wireless test. Operations were ordered for mine-laying, but at 21.00 hrs were cancelled.

1942-05-28

INGHAM
Visibility 5/10. In the afternoon and evening heavy rain and strong wind. Practice bombing was carried out
and observers practice on A.M.L. Bombing Teacher, Link trainer practice for Pilots. Testing of automatic
controls were carried out.

1942-05-29

INGHAM
Visibility 6/10 heavy rain in the evening. During the day flying practice included formation, one engine and
instrument flying, practice bombing and testing of automatice controls was also carried out. Night flying
practice was restricted to 40 minutes due to bad weather conditions. Operations announced in the afternoon
were cancelled due to bad weather conditions.

1942-05-30

INGHAM
Visibility 7/10. Aircraft inspection was carried out, and practice flying included formation and one engine
flights. Operations were ordered with COLOGNE as the target and 15 crews were briefed. 15 aircraft attacked
the primary and all told 11580 41lb incend were dropped. At the briefing the crews were informed that this
raid would be biggest ever attempted to date. Approaching the target seemed to be a mass of flame and
smoke rising to height of 10,000 feet. LUBECK was nothing to this spectacle. The fires burning prevented
results of bombing from being observed, but all captains of aircraft stte tht the target re was well and
truly plastered and described the trip as “PERFECT”. Captain of Y-1795 stated that “Jerry appeared to be disorganized and very little ACK-ACK was encountered. Aircraft B-1326 however encountered opposition, tanks
being holed and starboard engine hit by flak, the Captain however, described he trip as “Being Perfect”.
One the return journey, the reflection of the flames could be seen when crossing the Dutch coast. Only one adverse incident occurred duringthis highly successful operation, aircraft Z-1279 crash-landed at Borkston due
Port Engine trouble.

1942-05-31

INGHAM
Visibility 7/10. During the morning crews were resting after the operational trip. In the afternoon an
inspection of aircraft was carried out, and flying practice included Lorens practice and cross countries.
Operations were again ordered but were later cancelled at 19.00 hrs. due to bad weather conditions over the target.

MOVEMENTS DURING THE MONTH

OUT. F/lt. Wolski, F/O. Lewald-Jezewski missing 4.5.42 posted Supernmy N/E Polish Depot Blackpool.
F/O. J. Kusmierz, F/O. J. Urbaniak, F/O. J. Orsza-Matysek, F/O. P. PAJER, P/O. J. Fusihski
F/O. W. Wasik, F/O. T. Wawerski, SGT. J. Orlewski, SGT. F. Bay, SGT. L. Hupalo,
SGT. W. Zalejko, SGT. J. Kuczak, SGT. K. Lubajanski, SGT. W. Strzelczyk, Sgt. J. Balucki,
Sgt. A. Malecki, Sgt. M. Sierpina, Sgt. S Miniakowski, SGT. S. Lis, SGT. Z. Samulski,
SGT. B. Nowicki, SGT. J. Erdt, all posted N/E MISSING Polish Depot, Blackpool.

F/O. A Szpak, F/O. W. Jurkiewicz, SGT. W. Heine, SGT. K. Jaskulski, F/SGT. M. Malachowski,
SGT. S. Kaminski, all p[osted R.A.F. Stadion Hemswell N/E Sick.

F/O. E. Martusewicz posted to R.A.F. Station, Hucknall.
F/O. Z. Radecki and SGT. R. Tulinski SGT. W WIELONDEK posted to 18 O.T.U. Bramcote.

IN.

P/O. J. Budzynski and F/O M. Taras posted form R.A.F Polish Depot, Blackpool

(eligible signature)
Wing Commander, Commanding,
No. 300 (Polish) Squadron