Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-02-01

HEMSWELL

On the 31st January the Squadron moved from INGHAM and once again took up residence at R.A.F. Station, Hemswell, the move was completed expeditiously and without incident. Six aircraft were flown from Ingham to Hemswell and one aircraft from Leicester. Two aircraft tests were carried out. Total Flying Time 10.50 Hours. Night Flying 5.20 hours.

1943-02-02

HEMSWELL

Morning Pardes were continued, and after these and the general inspection of aircraft, two crews took off on Lorenz practices. Two aircraft tests were also carried out. One aircraft out. One aircraft was brought from Ingham. Total flying time 1.50 hours. Aircrew personnel practiced at the 25 yards range, and spotlight training was also completed.

1943-02-03

HEMSWELL

During the day only two aircraft took the air, these took off on tests of half hour duration. Air Gunners practiced at the 25 yards range.
Five crews were briefed for Operations, three on Mining and two on HAMBURG, one aircraft Q-303 captained by Sgt. Sowa failed to return from the mining operation and X-511 failed to return from HAMBURG, the later being skippered by Sgt. Zieliński. Those completing the task have no doubt as to the success of the operations.

1943-02-04

HEMSWELL

After morning parade and inspection of aircraft, two crews took off on cross country flights base - SYLWEL – base, and base – Holme – base, crew who had been operating the previous night being rested. One crew was briefed for operations, the target being LORIENT, the primary was attacked from 11,500 feet, and many bursts were seen in the area, but others were observed two to three miles from this point.

1943-02-05

HEMSWELL

Three aircraft took off on a cross country flight from base to Sywell and three aircraft tests were carried out, totally flying time 3,10 hours.

1943-02-06

HEMSWELL

Morning parade being over., two aircraft test were carried out, another crew took off on Lorenz practices combined with Instrument flying and Single engine flying. One aircraft carried out air-to-air firing exercises, two aircraft took off on a height tests with full bomb load. Totally day flying time 06.00 hrs. Night flying included two aircraft which completed six flights of circuits and landings. Total flying time 04,00 hrs. One crew was briefed for another mining expedition which was completed successfully.

1943-02-07

HEMSWELL

Three aircraft tests were made and one aircraft returned from Honington, another crew completed a cross country from base and landing at Cranage, this combined. Instrument flying and Lorenz practice. Total flying time 03.00 hrs. Two crews was briefed for operations at LORIENT, one attacking from 9,500 feet and the other from 10,000 feet, it was the unanimous verdict that the raid was very successful.

1943-02-08

HEMSWELL

The morning routine parade and inspections were made and ground crew continued to work on serviceing the new Wellington III’s. Only one aircraft was tested, the duration of flying time being 10 minutes. Gunners carried out Turret training, and all aircrew participated in what has become a daily routine i.e. physical training.

1943-02-09

HEMSWELL

Six aircraft tests were completed and one crew took off on a cross country. Total flying time 4,50 hours. Night flying included one aircraft on Bullseye exercises and one on a cross country. Total flying time 5,25 hours.

1943-02-10

HEMSWELL

Routine parades were completed and one aircraft took off on air to air firing practice, another completed a test and one crew completed a cross country. One aircraft returned from Bobington.

1943-02-11

HEMSWELL

Routine parades were held and one aircraft took off on a Lorenz practice combined with single engine flying, two others completed aircraft serviceability tests. Total flying time 2.40 hours. Air Gunners were lectured by the Gunnery Leader.

1943-02-12

HEMSWELL

One crew took off on an aircraft test combeined with Lorenz practice and single engine flying and instrument flying, another took off on a similar test, one crew completed an aircraft serviceability test, and another completed Lorenz practice combined with single engine flying, Total flying time 02.45 hrs.

1943-02-13

HEMSWELL

Two aircraft tests were made, and three more craft took off on tests combeined with Lorenz practices, single engine flying and low flying. One day cross country was completed, one crew carried out single engine flying combined with Lorenz landings. Total flying time 08.45 hrs. Six crews were briefed for Operations on LORIENT, and crew attacked from an average of 11,000 feet in perfect weather conditions, very large fires were seen and could still be seen when the aircraft were twenty miles away, the raid was considered highly successful.

1943-02-14

HEMSWELL

Sunday morning Church parade was held, after which ground crews got to work on their unceasing job of getting aircraft ready for Operations. One aircraft returning from Chipping
Warden where it had previously landed from Ops. One aircraft test was made. Total day flying time 01.15 hours. Four crews were briefed for Operations on COLOGNE and all completed the task without incident. Considerable stress was layed on the success of the Pathfinder technique.

1943-02-15

HEMSWELL

One crew carried out air to air firing and another completed an aircraft test. One aircraft took off on a height test with full bomb load, another completed a cross country. Total flying time 04.55 hours. Night flying included a cross country duration 02.20 hrs.

1943-02-16

HEMSWELL

One aircraft carried out air to air firing practice combined with instrument flying and two aircraft serviceability tests were completed. Total flying hours 02.10. Three crews were briefed for mining Operations and all completed the task without incident. One captain observed the bombing of LORIENT but was flying too love to make accurate observation, but the glow from any fires could bee seen.

1943-02-17

HEMSWELL

No flying at all was completed during the day, aircrews only carrying out physical training exercises.

1943-02-18

HEMSWELL

After morning Parade and daily inspection of aircraft, one aircraft took off on a circuits and landings, two cross country flights were made Exeter base, and base – Brize Norton – base, Total flying time 02.50 hours. Night flying included a cross country flight of 02.30 hours duration.

1943-02-19

HEMSWELL

Four aircraft tests were made and two crews completed cross country flights from base – Ingham – base. One crew carried out air to air firing and one completed bombing practice.
Total flying time 04.50 hours. Six crews were briefed for Operations at WILHELMSHAVEN but one had to abandon the task owing to engine trouble and brought his bomb back to base.

1943-02-20

HEMSWELL

Two aircraft were brief for, and completed a Sea search for missing crews of a sister Squadron. One cre carried out Lorenz practices combined with the George test, another was one circuits and landings. A cross country was also made from base to Ingham and a height test was completed. This was a very unfortunate day for the Squadron as whilst carrying out an aircraft test W/O Szafran accompanied by Sgt. Kramarz and Sgt. Kaminski of the Squadron and two Polish Army friends were killed, it is reported that the aircraft got into a steep dive whilst over Scampton and failed to pull out, bad luck has dogged W/O Szafran since he came to the Squadron culminating in this very sad accident.

1943-02-21

HEMSWELL

Sunday morning Church Parade was held, after which four aircraft took off on serviceability tests. Total flying time 1.45 hours.

1943-02-22

HEMSWELL

Again very little flying was completed, after the morning outine inspections and parade, one aircraft was taken up on a serviceability test, and another on a height test. Total flying time 2.30 hours.

1943-02-23

HEMSWELL

During the day five aircraft tests were made, one combining Lorenz and George tests, two cross country flights were made base – Tempsford – base and base – Lindholme – base. Total flying time 5.35 hours. During the afternoon the airmen killed on the 20th were interred at Newark Cemetary.

1943-02-24

HEMSWELL

After morning parade and routine inspection of aircraft, one aircraft took off on a Test, this was the only flying done during the day. Total flying time 0.25 hours.

1943-02-25

HEMSWELL

Morning Parades having finished, two crews took off on cross country flights to Newton, three craft were taken up on serviceability tests and one on a height test with full bomb load, another two completed Lorenz landing practice, and one more was engaged on circuits and landings. A Lecture was held by the Squadron Gunnery Leader. Total flying hours 06.20. Three crew were briefed for and completed a Mining operation successfully.

1943-02-26

HEMSWELL

One crew took off on a cross country base – Tempsford – base, and three aircraft tests were completed. One crew was engaged in local flying composed of circuits and landings. Total flying time 03.50 hours. Three crews were briefed for Operations on COLOGNE, and two on Mining. Two completed the task successfully at COLOGNE, one having to abandon owing to an oxygen failure, the raid was very successful and fires could be observed up to eighty miles away. On the mining expedition one abandoned owing to airscrew trouble, the other completing the operation successfully and without incident.

1943-02-27

HEMSWELL

Parades were carried out as usual, after which a cross country was made from base – Bramcote – base, two aircraft were engaged on Lorenz landings, five on aircraft tests and one on a height test. Total flying time 05.00 hours. One crew carried out night flying consisting on circuits and landings, duration 1 hour 20 mins. Two crews completed a Mining Operation with mixed success, everything went well for one, the other was forced, owing to engine trouble, to jettison one of his mines at position 52/54 North, 02/17 East, the second mine being brought back to Coltishall were a successful landing was made.

1943-02-28

HEMSWELL

The aircraft which landed at Coltishall returned to base during the morning, two aircraft were engaged on Lorenz landings and five on aircraft tests, one also carried out a height test. Total flying time 04.55 hours. Four crews completed an Operation on ST. NAZAIRE with great success; it is reported that a very great area was left on fire, it is also worthy on note that the P.F.F. were very punctual and believed, accurate.