Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-07-01

HEMSWELL

This day marked the 3rd Anniversary of the formation of the squadron, and a celebration was
held on the station for the occasion. A presentation of awards was made to flying personnel,
a communal lunch was held in No. 3 Hangar, followed by an Exhibition of the work of the
Squadron`s mechanics. Following this at 16.00 hours, a performance of “Wloszka Fala”* took
place in the Airmen`s Institue, and at 18.00 hours a Garden Fete was held on the playing
field. No flying took place whatever.

1943-07-02

INGHAM

After morning parade, and daily inspection of aircraft, one aircraft took off an a cross
country flight from base to Cosford to base, and a further aircraft form base to Hucknall to
Newton to base. Two aircraft which had been on show at the Celebration on the previous day
were flown back form Hemswell to Ingham. Three aircraft carried out height tests. One
aircraft was engaged on circuits and landings. Total flying for the day amounted to 8 hours
15 minutes. At night 2 aircraft practiced circuits and landings. Total night flying amounted
to 25 minutes.

1943-07-03

INGHAM

The routine morning parades and inspection of aircraft were carried out, and the following
flying was carried out. Thirteen aircraft serviceability tests were made, one aircraft made
a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base. One aircraft made a cross country
flight from base to Marham to base. Total flying for the day amounted to 7 hours 10 minutes.
Twelve crews were briefed for the operations over COLOGNE, eleven completing the mission, and one aircraft D-869 Captained by F/L STADTMULLER, had to abandon the mission due the loss of oxygen through a leak in the distributor, and his bomb load was brought back to base. The remainder pressed home their attacks, and under very favourable weather conditions, reported many fires in the target area on their return to base, the glow of which could be seen for 70/80 miles on the return journey. Aircraft S-487 piloted by F/S LECH, unfortunately had to jettison the bomb at approx. 1 ½ - 2 miles S.E. of town, owing to the bomb doors not opening when over the target.

1943-07-04

INGHAM

Following the night`s operations, crews were rested, a church parade was held, and followed by daily inspections of the aircraft. One aircraft was engaged on a fighter affiliation exercise,
one aircraft practiced circuits and landings. One aircraft made a cross country flight from
base to Swanton Morley to base, and a further aircraft was flown from Swanton Morley to base. Two aircraft tests finished off the day`s flying. Total day flying time amounted to 4 hours 20 minutes. At night one aircraft practiced circuits and landings, with a total night
flying time of 20 minutes.

1943-07-05

INGHAM

After morning parades, six aircraft took off for fighter affiliation exercise, and one aircraft
on a cross country flight. Two aircraft combined cross country flights with Gee practice and
test. One aircraft made a serviceability test, and two aircraft Monica tests. Total day fly-
ing amounted to 8 hours 30 minutes. Air Gunners were lectured by the Gunnery Leader. At
night seven aircraft practiced night circuits and landings. Total night flying time amounted
to 5 hours 35 minutes.

1943-07-06

INGHAM

The normal morning parades and inspection of aircraft were carried out, and the following flying
took place. One aircraft combined a serviceability test with W/T test, and a fighter affili-
ation exercise was carried out. A further two aircraft carried out aircraft serviceability
tests. Two aircraft took part in fighter affiliation exercise, and combined it with Gee Box.
Two further aircraft were engaged solely on Fighter Affiliation. One aircraft practiced
take-off and landing with full bomb load. Total day flying amounted to 5 hours 30 minutes.
Two aircraft also made country flights, amounting to 5 hours 20 minutes.

1943-07-07

INGHAM

Following morning parades and inspection of aircraft, one aircraft took off on a local flying,
one aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley to Tempsford to base. Two
aircraft were engaged on a Gee practice cross country flight. One aircraft took part in
demonstration flying, one aircraft made Monica and Gee Test, and another one was engaged on solo circuits and landings. Total day flying time amounted to 7 hours 35 minutes. The
Bombing Leader gave a lecture to Air Bombers. Four aircraft practiced night dual and solo
circuits and landings, with a total night flying time of 1 hour 30 minutes.

1943-07-08

INGHAM

Routine parades and inspections were carried out, following which one aircraft took off on
air firing practiced, two further aircraft practiced take offs and landings with full bomb
loads. Four aircraft serviceability tests and W/T tests were carried out, also one W/T test
and one height test. Total day flying time amounted to 6 hours 45 minutes. Five crews were
briefed for mining operations, all completed the task. Following the take-off of the oper-
ational aircraft, one night cross country flight was made, covering 3 hours 45 minutes.

1943-07-09

INGHAM

Normal morning parades, and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out. Crews which took
part in the operations of the previous night were rested. Lectures were carried out by the
Gunnery Leader for Air Gunners. Two aircraft were engaged on an air firing to sea practice,
making a total day flying of 1 hour 45 minutes.

1943-07-10

INGHAM

Routine parades and inspections were carried out. Crews were lectures during the day, and
no flying was carried out.

1943-07-11

INGHAM

Following church parade, morning working parades, and inspection of aircraft, one aircraft took
off on a height test, combining with it a cross country flight from base to Peterborough to
base. 8 aircraft serviceability tests were carried out, one height test with full bomb load,
and one aircraft Gee practice. One aircraft was also flown from Hemswell to Ingham aerodrome.
Total day flying amounted to 12 hours 30 minutes.

1943-07-12

INGHAM

Following routine parades and inspections, the following flying was carried out. One aircraft
made a serviceability test, followed by the following cross country flights. One from base
to Ringway to Blackpool to Ringway to base, combined with Gee practice and height test. One
from base to Church Broughton to base with Gee practice. One from base to Peterborough to
Newton to base with Gee practice, one from base to Shrewsbury to Peterborough to Finingley
to base. Total day flying time amounted to 10 hours 10 minutes. Air Gunners were lectured
by the Gunnery Leader. At night 3 aircraft took part in Bullseye exercises, with a total
night flying time of 15 hours 50 minutes.

1943-07-13

INGHAM

After morning parades and daily inspection of aircraft, one aircraft took off on a height test,
a further one carried out firing practice, and two were engaged on aircraft serviceability
test, with a total day flying time of 4 hours. (15) Fifteen crews were briefed for operations over AACHEN, and all successfully completed the mission. Owing to cloud, results could not be
definitely established, and it was thought that fires were rather scattered, although reflect-
tion of large fires could be seen through clouds, some reported that the built up area had a
very good concentration of fires.

1943-07-14

INGHAM

Following Routine Parades and daily inspection of aircraft, one cross country flight was carried
out from base – Redhill – base. This being the only flying carried out during the day. Crews
which had been engaged on operations the previous night were rested. Total flying time amounted to 02.05 hours.

1943-07-15

INGHAM

Normal morning Parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out following which six
aircraft were engaged on serviceability tests. Total flying time 03.55 hours.

1943-07-16

INGHAM

After morning Parade and daily inspection of aircraft, four aircraft took off on serviceability
tests, one aircraft made a cross country flight from base – Peterborough – base, and combined
the flight with a height test. A representative party of the Squadron proceeded to Newark
Cemetary to pay a last homage to General Sikorski, the late Polish Prime minister.
Total day flying time amount to two hours. Night flying: - One aircraft carried out Bull`s Eye
exercises. Total Night Flying Time 05.50 hours.

1943-07-17

INGHAM

After morning Parades and inspection of aircraft, one aircraft took off on a height test which
combined a W/T test a further aircraft carried out a serviceability test and another combined
and aircraft test with Beam training. Two aircraft combined serviceability tests with single
engine flying. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base – Goole – base during which
flight low flying was practiced at 500 feet and the aircraft was tested for serviceability.
Total day flying time 04.15 hours.

1943-07-18

INGHAM

Routine Parades and inspection were carried out. One aircraft was engaged on a height test,
three aircraft combined serviceability test with Lorenz practice and single engine flying.
One aircraft combined further in serviceability test and Lorenz flying. Five aircraft took
off for calibration of wireless and a further one combined this with an aircraft serviceability
test. Three aircraft carried out serviceability tests alone. One aircraft was flown from
Hemswell to Ingham. Total day flying time 11.10 hours. Church Parade for personnel was held
during the morning. Five crews were briefed for Mining Operations “BEECHES” and all completed
the task parachutes being seen to open.

1943-07-19

INGHAM

Normal Parades and daily inspections were carried out after which one aircraft made a cross
country flight from base – Hucknall – base. One aircraft carried out serviceability test,
two aircraft took part in Fighter Affiliation. One aircraft combined this with Homing “G” and
“Beam”, a further aircraft also combined Fighter Affiliation with Beam. Total day flying time
05.10 hours.

1943-07-20

INGHAM

Following Routine Parades and daily inspection of aircraft, one aircraft was engaged in
Beam Approach exercise and a further aircraft combined a serviceability test with Beam Approach exercise. One aircraft made a cross country flight – base – York – base with which was combined a “Gee” exercise. Total day flying amounted to two hours forty minutes. Air Gunners practiced Clay Pigeon shooting.

1943-07-21

INGHAM

After morning Parade and daily inspection of aircraft, eight aircraft took off on bombing
exercises, one aircraft combined a cross country flight with Gee box exercise. One aircraft
serviceability test was carried out, one aircraft carried out a cross country flight from base –
Finningley – base, and a further a/c from base – Manby – base. Total day flying amount to
08.45 hours. Air Gunners were lectured on Aircraft recognition.

1943-07-22

INGHAM

Routine Parade and inspection were carried out. Thirteen aircraft serviceability tests were
carried out, and a further aircraft combined a serviceability test with single engine flying.
Total day flying amounted to ten hours. The Gunnery Leader lectured A.G`s. Thirteen crews were briefed for Operations which were subsequently cancelled.

1943-07-23

INGHAM

Parades and Inspection were carried out and one aircraft made a serviceability test.
Total day flying amounted to 00.25 hours. Thirty Air Gunners each fired 100 rounds on
the 25 yards Range and a further 12 Air Gunners were given Spotlight training. Fifteen crews
were briefed for Operations, but later in the day these were again cancelled.

1943-07-24

INGHAM

Following Morning Parade and Daily Inspection of Aircraft, one aircraft made a cross country
flight combining with it a Gee test. A further cross country flight was made from base –
Blackpool to base. One aircraft carried out Bombing Practice. Total day flying 05.25 hours.
Sixteen crews were briefed for Operations. Four of them being cancelled. Nine carried out a
Bombing Operation on HAMBURG and three a Mining Operation at “Eglantine”.
All crews completed their respective tasks. The HAMBURG crews reported large concentration of fire which gave off a thick black smoke rising to about 16,000 feet which could be seen for
seventy miles on the return journey.

1943-07-25

INGHAM

Church Parade was held and the usual routine parades and inspection carried out. Six aircraft
serviceability tests were made and one aircraft was engaged in bombing practice. Total day flying amount to 03.40 hours. Once again Operations were ordered and seventeen crews were briefed for a raid on ESSEN. Fifteen crews completed the task, one being forced to abandon due to the inability of the aircraft to climb, on reaching 17,000 feet it dropped to 15,000 feet. 270 X 4lb Incends were jettisoned and 32 X 30lb incends were brought back to base. Aircraft Z captained by F/O. E. Bemben failed to return from this Operation. All crews reported the target area well alight and fires appeared to be very concentrated with smoke rising to 12,000 feet. Aircraft D sustained “Flak” damage to the starboard wing, elevator and bomb doors.

1943-07-26

INGHAM

Church Parades and dailing Inspections were carried out, following which one aircraft took
off on a height test. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base – Newton – base
combining with it an aircraft serviceability test. Total day flying amounted to 02.30 hours.
The Gunnery Leader lectured the Air Gunners.

1943-07-27

INGHAM

Morning parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out, following which the following
flying training was carried out. One aircraft took off on an aircraft serviceability test
with which was combined Beam Approach. One aircraft made a serviceability test with which was combined single engine flying. One aircraft combined a test with both single engine flying
and Lorenz, and two further tests were combined with Lorenz. One height test was also carried
out, as were a further nine aircraft serviceability tests. Total day flying amounted to
12 hours 55 minutes. Sixteen crews were briefed for operations over HAMBURG, fifteen completing the task satisfactorily, and one owing to being unable to climb, attacked the last resort St. PETER HEAD. Much smoke prevented results being observed, but a good concentration of fires was definitely observed.

1943-07-28

INGHAM

Normal morning parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out, and crews which had
operated on the previous night were rested. One aircraft serviceability test was carried out,
also one height test. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Newton to Westcott to base. Total day flying time amounted to 3 hours 40 minutes.

1943-07-29

INGHAM

Routine parades and daily inspections were carried out, following which 3 aircraft took off on
fighter affiliation exercise, one aircraft serviceability test was made, with which was combined
Beam approach, one cross country flight was made from base to Finningley to base. Eight
aircraft carried out serviceability tests. Total day flying amounted to 5 hours 50 minutes.
Fourteen crews were briefed for operations over HAMBURG and all completed the task, again report - ing much smoke, and concentration of fires.

1943-07-30

INGHAM

Normal morning parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out, and the crews which
took part in the previous night`s raid over HAMBURG, were rested. One aircraft took off on
check dual circuits and landings, and a further one practiced solo circuits and landings. One
cross country flight was made from base to Northolt to base. One aircraft serviceability test
was combined with Lorenz. Three aircraft serviceability tests were also carried out. Total
day flying amounted to 5 hours 10 minutes. 14 crews were briefed for operations, but later
in the day were cancelled. Night flying. One aircraft took off on check dual circuits and
landings, and one on solo circuits and landings. Total night flying time 50 minutes.

1943-07-31

INGHAM

Following morning parades and inspection of aircraft, one aircraft made a cross country flight
from base to Beaulieu to Tempsford to base. One aircraft carried a serviceability test.
Total day flying amounted to 2 hours 30 minutes.

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