Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-06-01

INGHAM

6/10th Cloud, morning Parade and daily inspection of aircraft was carried out. Flying training
consisted of local flying. A maximum effort was called for during the day and fourteen crews were
briefed for another ‘thousand aircraft’ night, the object for attention being ESSEN. Thirteen
of those briefed completed the operation successfully, aircraft L-1398 however was recalled to
base after take off. Although this raid was not so spectacular as the COLOGNE operation owing to
poor weather conditions the crews are of the opinion that great damage and dislocation was effected.
The defences of the City were again saturated and the Captain of one crew reported that only three
anti-aircraft guns were firing whilst he was in the target area.

1942-06-02

INGHAM

Weather conditions very good, but very little was done during the day, the crews were rested
after their efforts the previous night. Routine parades took place, and ground crews were very
early on the job servicing their aircraft. These large efforts it is noticed have a revitalizing
effect on all personnal.

1942-06-03

INGHAM

Weather conditions continued to be good and after morning parade the following practices were
indulged in – High Flying tests, Single Engine flying, firing practice, circuits and landings
and cross-country from base to Hemswell and back. Ten crews were briefed for Operations the
Primary being BREMEN. All Captains had a very successful trip with the exception of one who
owing to engine trouble had to abandon the task.

1942-06-04

INGHAM

After morning Prade Operational crews were rested. But new crews were practiced in high flying.
Cross country – base to Blackpool – Belfast and back to base. Circuits and landings at night.

1942-06-05

INGHAM

Weather continued to be good after morning parade and inspection of aircraft, flying tests
and instrument flying was indulged in. (One aircraft was dispached on a reconnasance seach for
a missing aircraft of 301 Sqdn. (The Captain reported that a parachute was definitely identified
in the water) Eight crews were briefed for operations on ESSEN seven completing the mission
one abandoning after take off due to inter-com. trouble. This was again a very successful
operations.

1942-06-06

INGHAM

After morning parade the daily inspection of aircraft was carried out. Flying tests were made
and exercises included circuits and landings. One flight was made to Hemswell. Eight crews were
briefed for operations on EMDEN which was highly successful. The crews however found specific
target bombing out of the question owing to the blanket of smoke which overhung the city.

1942-06-07

INGHAM

Weather 3/10 cloud. After morning parade the inspection of aircraft was carried out, local flying
and aircraft testing was effected. One flight to Bramcote and back was made. In the afternoon
three flights to Hemswell and back were made. Remainder of aircrew were given one hour of P.T.

1942-06-08

INGHAM

Weather conditions again good 4/10 cloud. Morning Parade and inspection of aircraft. One flight
was made to Hemswell. “George” tests and circuits and landings.
Eight crews were briefed for Operations on ESSEN. Considerable defence was evident two of
our aircraft being attacked by E/A. Aircraft Wellington V-1382 captained by Sgt. E. FOJUD
was attacked and badly damaged, the second pilot baling out whilst over enemy territory.
Sgt. FOJUD however managed to keep his plane in the air and crash landed at Martlesham Heath.
It is possible that one E/A was badly damaged in the attack as it was seen to dive steeply away.
Aircraft Q-1725 Captain P/O MALEC failed to return from this Operation.

1942-06-09

INGHAM

Weather 5/10 cloud. During the morning aircraft flying tests were made and circuits and landings
were made. A cross country trip from base to Martlesham Heath and back was made duration 3 hrs.
During the afternoon the crews were given on hour of P.T.

1942-06-10

INGHAM

Weather conditions 4/10 cloud. The days proceedings included a cross country flight from
base to Blackpool and back, aircraft test, George test. “A” flight were given a free afternoon
“B” flight were lectured. Six crews were briefed for Mine Laying and completed this operations
without incident.

1942-06-11

INGHAM
Weather conditions were not so good 6/10th cloud and after the morning Parade and aircraft
inspection the following practices were made. Aircraft flying test, “George” test, bombing
practice and Lorenz landings. One flight was made to Hemswell and a cross country from base
to Mildenhall and back to base.

1942-06-12

INGHAM

Weather conditions poor 7/10 cloud. After morning parade inspection of aircraft was carried
out, and aircraft flying tests were indulged in. Seven crews were briefed for a mine laying
operation but this was later cancelled. Night flying for new crews included wireless calibra-
tion.

1942-06-13

INGHAM

Weath conditions very poor 10/10 cloud. After morning parade an inspection of aircraft,
lectures for all members of the crews held in cock-pit drill, flying regulations, navig-
ation, and gun maintenance. In the afternoon time was given to P.T.

1942-06-14

INGHAM

Weather conditions bad, 10/10 cloud. Church parade was held at Hemswell. After morning
parade, an inspection of aircraft, a cross country flight was made from base to Bramcote.
During the afternoon lectures for all members of crews.

1942-06-15

INGHAM

Poor weather continued, and after the morning routine work, maintenance personnel were given
half day free. One cross country was made from base to Nottingham. Other crews completed
circuits and landings.

1942-06-16

INGHAM

During the morning aircraft flying tests were made, and the day`s proceedings included one
engine flying, Lorenz landings, circuits and landings, instrument flying, take-off with full
bomb load for new pilots, formation flying. One cross country was made from base to Bramcote,
and from base to Ipswich. Local flying and “George” testing continued throughout the day.

1942-06-17

INGHAM

Weather conditions, 6/10 cloud. One crew completed a cross country flight, and other exercises
included aircraft flying tests, track reconder flight for gunners, as training for airbombers.
“George” test and bombing practice. During the afternoon 1 hour`s P.T. was taken.

1942-06-18

INGHAM

Weather conditions improved, and after morning parade, an inspection of aircraft, routine exercises
were indulged in, including formation flying, single engine flying, cross country flights from
base to Hendon and from base to Bramcote.

1942-06-19

INGHAM

4/10 cloud. Morning parade and inspection of aircraft. Crews were practiced in formation
flying, a cross country flight was made to Bircham Newton. Local flying, included take-off with
full bomb load, and Lorenz landings. Eight crews were briefed for operations at EMDEN. Two
of our aircraft failed to return from this operation. The weather over the target being particular-
ly bad, This operation was unsatisfactory, visibility being very poor, most of the attacks having
to be made on E.T.A.

1942-06-20

INGHAM

The day`s proceedings included bombing practice, aircraft flying tests, and cross countries, from
base to Sudbury, Abington, Penrhos, Jurby, York, back to base and from base to Bramcote and
Mildenhall, back to base, also from base to Catrick, Stradeshall, Brisenorton, back to base.
Six crews were briefed for operations over BREMEN, one of our aircraft abandoned the mission owing
to having been attacked by an enemy aircraft, the remainder identified the target, and attacked,
but no results could be observed owing to poor weather conditions.

1942-06-21

INGHAM

Weather improved considerably, 3/10 cloud. Church parade was held during the morning, the day`s
proceedings continuing with the testing of aircraft, “George” test, instrument flying, cross
country from base to Mildenhall, Bramcote and back to base. New crews were practiced during the
night circuits and landings.

1942-06-22

INGHAM

3/10 cloud. After parade, an inspection of aircraft, new crews were given high flying tests, and
track reconder flying. Seven aircraft were detailed for operations, and crews briefed, for
operations once again at EMDEN. Visibility was very good over the target, and the attacks were
pressed home. Numerous fires were observed, and in the words of one of our captains, EMDEN was
left well alight. Unfortunately one of our aircraft J-1489, Captained by F/S. HULAS had to
abandon the mission owing to the front gunner being taken ill, the bomb load being brought back
to base.

1942-06-23

INGHAM

Weather conditions worse, 7/10 cloud. During the morning, routine inspections were carried out
and aircraft flying tests. Cross country flights were made from base to Detford, and from base
to Blackpool. Height tests were made with new pilots, air firing to drooge. Four crews were
briefed for another mine laying operation, all crews completed the mission successfully, and
returned to base without incident.

1942-06-24

INGHAM

Poor weather continued, but new pilots were given high flying tests, circuits and landings, bomb
practice, Lorenz, and “George” test, and training flights were made with the ‘George”.

1942-06-25

INGHAM

6/10 cloud, and after the morning parade, inspection of aircraft, aircrews were practiced on
circuits and landings, wireless calibration, aircraft and “George” tests, a cross country was
made from base to Mildenhall, and return. Duration of day flying being 6hours 15 minutes.
Thirteen crews were briefed for operations, the primary being the BREMEN area. Owing to very
poor weather conditions over the target area, a disappointing trip was made, but target was
identified by the reflection of fires on cloud, and attacks pressed home. One of our aircraft
was attacked by an enemy aircraft when flying DOKKUM, rear turret, hydraulic system, and port
wing being damaged in the combat, this aircraft landed at base with the bomb doors open. Some
of the aircraft were able to observe through gaps in cloud that many fires were burning in the
target area before leaving.

1942-06-26

INGHAM

6/10 cloud. Morning parade and inspection of aircraft. Flying crews were rested after their
efforts of the previous night Other aircrew personnel made high flying tests, circuits and
landings, and a cross country was made from base to Bramcote, Mildenhall and back. In all
7 hours 10 minutes flying time was recorded. During the afternoon aircrews were given 1 hours
P.T.

1942-06-27

INGHAM

Weather conditions remained the same, and routine parades&inspections were made. They day`s
proceedings included aircraft flying tests with “George”, instrument flying, firing practice,
circuits and landings, During the afternoon lectures were given to all crew personnel on flying
regulations, gun maintenance, navigation, cock-pit drill, and ground defence.

1942-06-28

INGHAM

6/10 cloud. Church parade. Inspection of aircraft, “George” tests, and instrument flying.
Cross country from base to Mildenhall and back. Three aircraft and crews were sent on a
reconnaissance for missing crews, time 3 hours 35 minutes.

1942-06-29

INGHAM

After morning parade, an inspection of aircraft. New crews were practiced in Lorenz landings
and local flying. Aircraft tests were made and a cross country. During the afternoon, P.T.
classes were held.

1942-06-30

INGHAM

Weather improved , and after morning and the daily inspection of aircraft, formation flying
was carried out. “George” tests were made and aircraft tests. During the afternoon lectures
for all flying personnel were given on Armoury maintenance, Navigation, Cock-pit drill, and
Flying Regulations. Five crews were briefed for operations, but this was cancelled during the
evening.