Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-06-01

HEMSWELL

After morning parade, and daily inspection of aircraft, the following flying was carried out.
One aircraft carried out a high level bombing practice, one was engaged on a W/T test, and
four carried out a fighter Affiliation exercise. Three were engaged on Lorenz tests combined
with overshooting. Two aircraft tests were made, and one Gee Box test. Two cross country
flights were also carried out, both from base to Peterborough to Abingdon to base, which
included a Gee test, and the other from base to Finningley to base. Total day flying covered
8 hours 35 minutes.

1943-06-02

HEMSWELL

Three aircraft were engaged on Low Level Bombing practice, one on solo circuits and landings,
one aircraft test and W/T test combined, and a cross country flight from base to Shrewsbury
to oxford to Peterborough to Newton to base were also carried out, making a total day flying
of 6 hours 30 minutes. A cross country flight was also completed at night, duration of which
was 4 hours 30 minutes.

1943-06-03

HEMSWELL

Following morning parade and daily inspections, nine aircraft took off on test flights,
combining Gee Bo, and take off with full bomb load. Four aircraft were engaged on W/T
and Lorenz tests, and one on circuits and landings with full bomb load (three take offs).
Total day flying amounted to 8 hours 15 minutes. A.M.B.T. lectures were given by the Bombing
Leader. Five crews were briefed for operations, planting mines, and all completed the task
satisfactorily, all mine parachutes being seen to open, with the exception of two.

1943-06-04

HEMSWELL

Following the mining operation of the previous night, the crews taking part were rested, and
after inspection of aircraft, three height tests were made combining Gee and take Off with
full bomb load. Four aircraft were engaged on W/T and Lorenz tests, and one on circuits and
landings with full bomb load (three take offs) making a total of 8 hours 15 minutes day flying.
During the day a dinghy drill demonstration was given for all crews.

1943-06-05

HEMSWELL

Routine inspections and parades were carried out, after which four aircraft tests were made
combining Lorenz practice and one overshoot. Four aircraft were engaged in serviceability
tests combining Gee practice, and one aircraft was engaged on dual circuits and landings.
Lectures were held by the Bombing Leader. Total day flying time 9 hours 35 minutes.
Night flying. Three aircraft carried out dual and solo circuits and landings, and a further
one carried out a Gee tests. Total night flying time 3 hours 45 minutes.

1943-06-06

HEMSWELL

After church parade, four aircraft tests were made, one height test, and one serviceability
test with full bomb load, which included two take-offs. One aircraft carried out Lorenz
test. The Bombing Leader again held lectures. Total day flying time 4 hours 30 minutes.

1943-06-07

HEMSWELL

Nine aircraft tests were made, combining Gee and Lorenz, a height test was carried out, and
three cross country flights made from base to Heston to base, base to Tempsford to base, and
base to Finningley to base. Total day flying time 8 hours 50 minutes.

1943-06-08

HEMSWELL

After daily inspections of aircraft, routine parades, one aircraft took off on a Gee test.
Four aircraft tests combining instrument flying, and two serviceability tests were carried out.
One aircraft was engaged on a height test, and two cross country flights were made, from base
to York to base, and base to Finningley to base. Two aircraft were engaged on air to air
firing. Total day flying time. 17 hours 30 minutes.

1943-06-09

HEMSWELL

A very complete day`s work, one aircraft engaged in high level bombing practice, four aircraft
carried out single flying, combined with Lorenz practice. Four aircraft engaged in
air to air firing, two further aircraft engaged in Fighter Affiliation, and two engaged in
Fighter Affiliation combined with single engine flying. Three aircraft carried out circuits
and landings, and a height test was made. A cross country flight from base to Peterborough
to Abingdon to base, combining a Gee Test was completed. Total day flying 20 hours 50 minutes.

1943-06-10

HEMSWELL

Routine parades and inspections were completed, after which two aircraft serviceability tests
were made. Three cross country flights were carried out from base to Northolt to base, from
base to Lindholme to base, from base to Finningley to base. One aircraft was engaged on
Fighter Affiliation, and a further carried out single engine flying combined with Lorenz.
Total day flying 16 hours 35 minutes. Night flying. Two aircraft carried out circuits
and landings, making a total night flying time of 1 hour 35 minutes.

1943-06-11

HEMSWELL

Four aircraft were engaged in air to air firing, two of which were also engaged with fighter
affiliation. Five further aircraft were also engaged with fighter affiliation. A cross
country flight was made from base to Heston to Finningley to base, and one aircraft serviceab-
ility test was made. Total day flying 10 hours 55 minutes, A.M.B.T. lectures, were held
by the bombing Leader. Sixteen crews were briefed for an operation on Dusseldorf, fifteen
of these crews bombed the target successfully, one having to abandon owing to a technical
failure. Attacks were carried out from an average of 18,000 feet, and all reports are
conclusive as to the success of the attack. Terrific fires were reported, and could be
seen by returning aircraft from the Dutch coast.

1943-06-12

HEMSWELL

Crews which had been operating the previous night were rested, which accounted for so little
flying during the day, however new crews made three cross country flights, from base to Stud-
holme to base, and base Colchester to base, and base to Finningley to base. Total day flying
4 hours 24 minutes. Night flying. Three aircraft engaged on cross country flights, total
night flying 15 hours 10 minutes. Two crews completed a sea mining operation, which were
carried successfully, and without incident.

1943-06-13

HEMSWELL

Church parade was held, after which two aircraft carried out Lorenz tests. One cross country
was made form base to Finningley to base. Total day flying 3 hours 25 minutes.

1943-06-14

HEMSWELL

Ground crews carried out routine parades, and daily inspections of aircraft was completed.
Four aircraft serviceability tests were made, and three aircraft carried out Fighter Affiliation.
Three further Lorenz practices were made. One aircraft was engaged on local flying. The
Bombing Leader held A.M.B.T. lectures. Total day flying 9 hours 35 minutes.

1943-06-15

HEMSWELL

Two aircraft were engaged on high level and low level bombing practice, one aircraft test
combining Lorenz was mad, and two aircraft were engaged on Monica tests. Two further
serviceability tests were made, one Gee test, one circuits and landings, and two aircraft
on Fighter Affiliation. A cross country was made from base to Coltishall to base. Total
day flying fourteen hours thirty minutes.

1943-06-16

HEMSWELL

Two aircraft carried out Monica tests, and three were flown from Ingham to Hemswell. Two
aircraft carried out Fighter Affiliation, and three were engaged on serviceability tests.
A cross country was made from base to Northolt to base. Total day flying 7 hours 40 minutes.

1943-06-17

HEMSWELL

The day commenced with two aircraft taking off on serviceability tests, after which a cross
country was made from base to Finningley to base. Two aircraft were engaged on Monica tests,
and one on a height tests. The Bombing Leader again held lectures. Total day flying 6 hours
35 minutes. Night flying. Three aircraft were engaged on Bullseye exercises. Total night
flying time 13 hours 35 minutes.

1943-06-18

HEMSWELL

Weather condition were very unfavourable for flying and consequently on flying training was
done, however crews were lectured by both the Gunnery and the Bombing Leaders.

1943-06-19

HEMSWELL
Daily parades were held, after which three aircraft carried out air to air firing practices.
One aircraft was engaged in circuits and landings combined with Lorenz, and one aircraft
carried out a cross country flight from base to Finningley to bas. One serviceability test
was made. Total day flying time 4 hours 50 minutes.

1943-06-20

HEMSWELL

Two aircraft carried out serviceability tests combined with single engine flying, and one
aircraft engaged in a W/T test, one on Lorenz practice, and one a cross country flight from
base to Newton to base. Six further aircraft tests were made and two circuits and landings.
Three pilots made Beam Approach tests combined with single engine flying. Lectures were
held by the Bombing Leader. Total day flying 10 hours 10 minutes. Night flying. Four
aircraft were engaged in circuits and landings, for a total of 4 hours 35 minutes.

1943-06-21

HEMSWELL

Thirteen aircraft tests were made, two height tests, and one cross country flight from base
to Finningley to base. A very unfortunate fatal accident occurred during one of the height
tests, for some obscure reason the aircraft broke cloud and dived to earth, killing the
complete crew. Total day flying time 6 hours. Sixteen crews were briefed for operations
this time at KREFELD, fourteen crews returned to base having attacked the primary target,
and again the crews were unanimous as to the success of the operation. Fairly heavy concen-
trated fires were reported, and could still be seen one hundred miles away on the return
journey. Aircraft V-439 piloted by F/O. Z. Roter, was hit by flag whilst over the target,
and the navigator, P/O. B. Regeli was wounded in the knee, the enemy are reported to have
used decoy flares, but according to our reports, these were very pathetic imitation.
Two aircraft S.327 piloted by Sgt. M. Bronicki and W.985 piloted by F/S. M. Bialabrowka,
failed to return from the operation.

1943-06-22

INGHAM

The whole of the day was taken up by the Squadron moving form Hemswell to R.A.F. Ingham,
and fifteen of our aircraft were flown to the new aerodrome, making a total day`s flying of
2 hours 15 minutes.

1943-06-23

INGHAM

Again the Squadron got down to routine procedure, and nine aircraft tests were made, three
aircraft were engaged on circuits and landings, and two further aircraft were flown from
Hemswell. Total day flying 6 hours 5 minutes. During the after noon the bodies of the
airmen who lost their lives on the 21st were interned at Newark Cemetary.
Nine crews were briefed for a MINING Operation, and all completed the task successful.
Aircraft E-373 was hit by flak and F/O J Roubo captain of B-768 reported that on his way
out over France the letter “V” was flashed on many occasion form the ground

1943-06-24

INGHAM

Operational crews were rested. Ground crews carried out their normal routine procedure
after which two aircraft took off on height tests. One aircraft engaged in a cross country from
base – Tempsford – Base, and one aircraft carried out a Gee test, a further aircraft carried
out single engine flying. One aircraft was flown form Oldham Lodge to base and one from
Scampton. Total day flying 4.40 hours. Eleven crews were briefed for Operations on
WUPPERTAL, nine completed their task, two failing to return. Those completed reported that
the raid was very heavy and highly successful and they consider that this place will not
require another visit. Very heavy defences were encountered and considerable minor incidents
were reported of aircraft being hit by flak. Most reports include reference to a very
heavy explosion which occurred at between 01.11 hrs and 01.26 near the centre of the target
area which was accompanied by a red glow and a huge pall of brown smoke which quickly
enveloped the whole target area.

1943-06-25

INGHAM

Crews were gain rested and only news crews carried out any day flying training which
included three aircraft tests, and one circuits and landings, Total day flying 2hrs 55mins.
Operations were gain ordered and four crews were briefed for MINING, all completed the
task successfully and without incident.

1943-06-26

INGHAM

Again very little flying was done during the day, three aircraft tests were made and one
aircraft took off on a cross country form base – Tempsford – base. One aircraft carried out
a Gee test, and one aircraft was engaged on single engine flying. Total day flying 2 hrs 50 mins.
Three aircraft carried out Bulls Eye exercises. Night flying time 16 hours.

1943-06-27

INGHAM

After Church Parade, one aircraft took off on a height test, two aircraft were flown
from Hemswell to base, and three further craft carried out Fighter Affiliation. A height
test was made during a cross country form base – Peterborough – base. One craft flew from
Tempsford to base, and a further cross country was made to Finningley and back. Total day
Flying 09.00 hrs.

1943-06-28

INGHAM

Six aircraft were engaged on serviceability tests and a cross country was made from base –
Heston – base and a further from base – Finningley – base. Total day flying 7 hrs 50 mins.
Nine crews were briefed for Operation on COLOGNE. This task was marred by heavy cloud formation
over the target. Five crews completed the task and returned to base reported a somewhat
scattered raid, although conclusive results could not be judged owing to visibility being
so poor. Three crews were forced to abandon, two owing ot having been attacked by enemy
aircraft and one owing to engine trouble. Aircraft J-438 failed to return.

1943-06-29

INGHAM

After morning parade and daily inspections of aircraft one aircraft took off on a cross country
flight from base to Carlisle to Turnhouse to Carlisle to base. Three aircraft were engaged
on height tests, a further three on aircraft tests, and three on circuits and landings.
Another cross country flight form base to Peterborough to base was also carried out. Total
day flying was 10 hours 25 minutes. Four crews were briefed for mining operations, and all
completed the task, reporting a good trip, all aircraft landed at Harwell,

1943-06-30

INGHAM

Aircraft which took part in the mining operation of the previous night were flown form Harwell
to base. A further aircraft was flown from Ingham to Hemswell. Total flying time 2 hours.
Preparations for the Squadron`s 3rd Anniversary Celebrations were now in full swing, and during
the afternoon, a delegation visited the Polish Graves at Newark Cemetary. In the evening
the Polish Army Choir gave a concert in Lincoln, by kind permission of his worship the Mayor.