Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-08-01

INGHAM

Following church parade, working parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out. The
following day training flights were then carried out. One aircraft made a cross country flight
from base to Exeter to base, and a further aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Hucknall to base, with which was combined an aircraft test. Total day flying amounted to 3 hours 40 minutes.

1943-08-02

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspection of aircraft was carried out. Eight aircraft serviceability
tests were made, and a further five serviceability tests were combined with Beam Approach. One aircraft made a Gee Test, and another one a Height Test. Total day flying amounted to 7 hours 5 minutes. Fifteen crews were briefed for night bombing operations over Hamburg, three of which abandoned the task, and one, captained by F/O. SMYK failed to return from the mission. All crews reported 10/10 cloud and thunder storm over target. Aircraft “D” captained by F/L. DANIELEWICZ abandoned the task due to the severe storm and bombs were jettisoned at position 08 deg 51E. Aircraft “J” captained by F/L. STADTMULLER abandoned the task due to severe icing, and also the storm, and jettisoned his 4,000 lb. H.C. bomb in position 53.11N 09.35E. Aircraft “T” captained by F/L. ROTER sustained flak damage in the starboard mainplane. Aircraft ”O” captained by F/L SPYCHALA abandoned the task 2 miles south of Workshop, due to failure of the starboard engine, and bombs were jettisoned, following which a belly landing was made in a corn field due to inability to return to base. The aircraft caught fire and was burnt out. None of the crews were seriously injured, all but the pilot suffered some bruises, and abrasions, and air bomber was slightly burnt on leaving the aircraft.

1943-08-03

INGHAM

Routine parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out, following which the following
training flying was carried out. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley
to base, and a further one combined a cross country flight with Gee Exercise. Total day flying
amounted to 2 hours 20 minutes. Air Gunners also practiced Clay Pigeon shooting under the Gunnery
Leader.

1943-08-04

INGHAM

Following morning working parades and daily inspection of aircraft, one aircraft combined a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base with serviceability test. Two aircraft serviceability tests were combined with Lorenz, and a further serviceability test with Gee Box. One aircraft carried out check dual circuits and landings. Two aircraft took part in a Fighter Affiliation exercise. One cross country flight from base to Newton to base was combined with a Gee Exercise. One aircraft carried out a S.B.A. practice. Three aircraft serviceability tests were made, and one aircraft combined a cross country flight with Gee Exercise. Total day flying amounted to 10 hours 55 minutes. The following night flying was also carried out. One aircraft check circuits and landings, and two further aircraft solo circuits and landings. Total night flying amounted to 2 hours 40 minutes.

1943-08-05

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out. Four aircraft took part in
a dinghy search, without success. Total flying amounted to 13 hours 35 minutes. No training
flight were carried out during the day. Air Gunners were practiced on Clay Pigeon Shooting, and
received a lecture by the Gunnery Leader.

1943-08-06

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out. Weather conditions cloudy with rain and wind. Eleven aircraft serviceability tests were carried out, and one aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base, combined with a serviceability test. Total day flying amounted to 4 hours 15 minutes. Eleven crews were briefed for operations but later in the day these were cancelled. Two aircraft took part in a Bullseye Exercise, with pinpoint on West minster Bridge, London. Total night flying amounted to 8 hours 10 minutes.

1943-08-07

INGHAM

Following working parade and daily inspection of aircraft, the following training flights were
carried out. Weather was cloudy with some rain and wind. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base. A further aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Cambridge to base, with which was combined a wireless test. Total day flying amounted to 2 hours 30 minutes. Air Gunners were practiced on the 25 yards range, and also received turret training under the supervision of the Gunnery Leader.

1943-08-08

INGHAM

Church parade was held in the morning, which was followed by working parades and daily inspection of the aircraft. Weather was cloudy with some rain and wind. Two aircraft carried out Gee exercise, seven aircraft carried out serviceability tests, one aircraft test was combined with Gee exercise, two aircraft serviceability tests were combined with Lorenz, one Gee exercise was combined with an aircraft serviceability tests, and cross country flight form base to Peterborough to Cambridge to base. One aircraft serviceability test was combined with Lorenz and single engine flying.
Total day flying amounted to 9 hours. Air Gunners were lectured on the Beacon by the Gunnery
Leader, others also practiced clay pigeon shooting, and fired on the 25 yards range. Ten crews were briefed for operations but later in the day were cancelled.

1943-08-09

INGHAM

Routine working parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out. Weather uncertain in the morning, with rain and cloud, but improved towards evening. One aircraft carried out circuits and landings, one aircraft single engine flying, one aircraft height test with full load, one aircraft made a cross country flight form base to Smallwell to base. One aircraft carried out a Gee practice combined with Sea Marker firing, one Monica test was made, one aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Westcott to Exeter to base, with which was combined a Gee Exercise. One aircraft made a serviceability test. Total day flying amounted to 10 hours 25 minutes. Night flying was also carried out. One aircraft dual circuits and landings, and a further aircraft combined circuits and landings with Gee Box. Total night flying amounted to 1 hour 25 minutes.

1943-08-10

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. A definite improvement was found in the weather. Four aircraft carried out serviceability tests. One aircraft was engaged on a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base with which was combined a serviceability test. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Manby to base. A further aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Newton to base, with which was combined an aircraft serviceability test. One aircraft carried out sea marker firing, and a further one combined sea marker firing with Gee Box. Total day flying amounted to 7 hours 15 minutes. Twelve crews were briefed for mining operations “Nectarines”, and all completed the trip successfully, in moderate visibility, without incident, parachutes were seen to open.

1943-08-11

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. Weather conditions, low clouds
a little rain in the morning, improved towards evening. No flying was carried out during the day
owing to unfavourable flying conditions. Air Gunners were lectured on aircraft recognition by
the Gunnery Leader, and Air Bombers were lectured by the Bombing Leader.

1943-08-12

INGHAM

Following working parades and daily inspections of aircraft in the morning, the following flying
training was carried out. Three aircraft were engaged on Fighter Affiliation exercise. Three
aircraft serviceability tests were combined with Lorenz. One aircraft was flown from Wardon to
base, and a further aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Wardon to base, with which
was combined a serviceability test. Two aircraft also carried out serviceability tests. Total
day flying amounted to 7 hours 10 minutes. Eight crews were briefed for mining operations “Beeches”
and all completed the task successfully, in clear weather conditions, with excellent visibility.

1943-08-13

INGHAM

Routine parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. One aircraft made a cross
country flights from base to Lincoln to Nottingham to York to Lincoln to base, with which was
combined a height test. Two aircraft carried out Fighter Affiliation exercise, combined with Range
practice, one combined Fighter Affiliation with Sea Marker firing, and a further one Fighter
Affiliation alone. Total day flying amounted to 5 hours 35 minutes. Air Gunners practiced Clay
Pigeon shooting under the supervision of the Gunnery Leader.

1943-08-14

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. Weather unsettled. One
aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Heston to base. One aircraft combined a cross
country flight from base to York to base with an aircraft serviceability test, height test and
Lorenz practice. One aircraft carried out a serviceability test. Two aircraft carried out
serviceability tests combined with Lorenz and single engine flying. One aircraft made an air to
air firing practice. Total day flying amounted to 5 hours 55 minutes.

1943-08-15

INGHAM

Church parade was held in the morning, following which working parades and daily inspection of
aircraft were carried out. Six aircraft carried out serviceability tests during the day, with
a total day flying time of 2 hours 5 minutes. Thirteen aircraft were briefed for mining operations
four to “Trefoil” and 9 to “Nectarines”. Aircraft “D” captained by F/O. OCHEDZIAN abandoned the
task owing to Gee being unserviceable, and mines were brought back to base. Aircraft ‘N” captained
by F/O. ROUBO failed to return form the operation, an S.O.S. was received from the aircraft at
23.20 stating engine on fire, following which nothing further was heard from them. The reminder
of the aircraft completed their allotted tasks successfully.

1943-08-16

INGHAM

Following working parades and daily inspections of aircraft in the morning, the following day flying
was carried out. Two aircraft were engaged on Fighter Affiliation with use of Monica. One
aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Manby, combined with checking dual. One aircraft
also took off on checking dual. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley
to base. Total day flying amounted to 4 hours 30 minutes.

1943-08-17

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspection of aircraft were carried out. Two aircraft practiced low fly-
ing air to air firing. One aircraft made circuits and landings. One aircraft combined a cross
country flight from base to Thornaby to base with an aircraft serviceability test. One flight was
made to check dual. One aircraft was engaged on a fighter affiliation exercise and another three
aircraft combined fighter affiliation with Monica. One cross county flight was made from base to
Manby when dual check was made. A cross country flight from base to Finningley to base was combined
with Sea Marker. One aircraft carried out a serviceability test. Total day flying amounted to
13 hours 30 minutes. Night flying. One aircraft practiced dual circuits and landings and another
one solo circuits and landings. Total night flying amounted to 50 minutes.

1943-08-18

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspection of aircraft were completed, following which the following day
training flying was carried out. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley
to base, with which was combined fighter affiliation. Two aircraft carried out serviceability tests.
Two aircraft took part in Fighter Affiliation exercise, and a further two combined Monica with
Fighter Affiliation. One cross country flight from base to Finningley to base was combined with
Sea Marker. One aircraft was engaged solely on Sea Marker, and a dual flight was also carried out.
Total day flying amounted to 8 hours 25 minutes. Night flying. One aircraft took part in a bulls-
eye exercise. Total night flying time amounted to 5 hours 10 minutes.

1943-08-19

INGHAM

Routine working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out, following which the
following day training flying was carried out. Two aircraft carried out aircraft serviceability
tests. One aircraft was flown from base to Hendon. One cross country flight form base to Squires
Gate to base was carried out. One cross country flight was combined with Gee training. One
aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Swanton to Morley to Swanton to base. One
aircraft made a dual flight. Two aircraft practiced air to air firing. A cross country flight
was made from base to Finningley to base, and a further one combined such a cross country flight with
an aircraft serviceability test, and lorenz practice. Total day flying amounted to 16 hours 5 minutes.

1943-08-20

INGHAM

Following morning parades and daily inspections of aircraft, the following day training
flying was completed. Four aircraft carried out serviceability tests. One aircraft made a cross
country flight from base to Finningley to base with which was combined an aircraft test. One
aircraft serviceability test was combined with single engine flying. One aircraft made a dual flight,
and a further aircraft a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base. Total day flying
amounted to 5 hours 45 minutes.

1943-08-21

INGHAM

Weather conditions were dull, cloudy with rain, and following the morning working parades and daily
inspections of aircraft, only one flight was made during the day, which comprised of, an aircraft
returning form Hendon to base, with a total flying time of 50 minutes. Air Gunners under the
supervision and instruction of the Gunnery Leader practiced Clay Pigeon shooting.

1943-08-22

INGHAM

Church parade was held in the morning following which morning working parades and daily inspection
of aircraft were carried out. Weather was much brighter in the morning, following the rain of the
previous day. Two aircraft were engaged in air to sea firing practice. One aircraft made a dual
flight. One aircraft was engaged on solo circuits and landings. One aircraft combined a cross
country flight from base to Farnborough to base with Gee practice. A further aircraft made a cross
country flight from base to Slawerton to base with which was combined Gee practice. Two aircraft
combined Sea Marker with single engine flying. One aircraft also made a serviceability test.
Total day flying amounted to 10 hours 45 minutes.

1943-08-23

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out, following which five aircraft
took off on a dinghy search, which was unsuccessful. Total flying on the search amounted to 20
hours 40 minutes. The following day training was also carried out. Five aircraft were engaged on
air to air firing practice. Two aircraft made a live bombing practice on Wainfleet bombing range.
One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base. Total day training
flying hours amounted to 9 hours. Aircrew personnel practiced firing from pistols under the super-
vision of the Gunnery Leader.

1943-08-24

INGHAM

Routine working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. Two aircraft carried
out Fighter Affiliation exercises with use of Monica. One aircraft made a Gee exercise flight from
base to Newton to base. Five aircraft carried out serviceability tests. One aircraft service-
ability test was combined with single engine flying and a landing at Finningley. One flight for
photographic purposes was made, and a cross country flight from base to Warton to Finningley to
base was also carried out. Total day flying amounted to 8 hours 50 minutes. Aircrews were
practiced on firing pistols under the supervision of the Gunnery Leader. Fourteen crews were
briefed for mining operations “Nectarines”, thirteen completing the task successfully, reporting
slight mist and haze. Aircraft X-590 captained by F/O. KUROWSKI sustained flak damage to top of
starboard wing, and Aircraft V-480 captained by F/L. WOJTULEWICZ reported that the aircraft was
fired on by our defences at Mablethorpe both on the outward and return journeys, but fortunately
was most inaccurate. Aircraft D-869, captained by F/L. GULYN abandoned the task 2 miles east of
Faldingworth due to port engine failure, and jettisoned mines there, due to aircraft losing height
very quickly, which necessitated their making an emergency landing at Faldingworth airfield.

1943-08-25

INGHAM

Following working parades and daily inspections of aircraft, the following training flying was
carried out, while crews who were on operations the previous night were rested. One aircraft
made a cross country flight form base to Finningley to base, with which was combined a Lorenz
practice. Two aircraft carried out serviceability tests. One aircraft made a cross country
flight from base to Westcott to base. Total day flying amounted to 3 hours 55 minutes. Twelve
crews were briefed for mining operations “Jellyfish”, nine completing the task successfully.
Aircraft F-813 captained by F/O. SZCZEPANSKI, abandoned the task owing to their inability to find
final pinpoint due to weather and returned to base with mines. Aircraft A-493 captained by
F/L. STADTMULLER likewise abandoned the mission, due to their inability to identify pinpoints, and
returned to base with their mines, also Aircraft S-487 captained by F/L. HAJEK.

1943-08-26

INGHAM

Working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out, and crews who operated on the
previous night were rested. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Cosford to
base. One aircraft carried out a serviceability test, and another one combined a serviceability
test with Lorenz practice. Total day flying time amounted to 4 hours 40 minutes. Air Gunners
were lectured by the Gunnery Leader.

1943-08-27

INGHAM

Morning working parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out, following which the
following training flights were made. Three aircraft carried out formation flying. One aircraft
serviceability test was combined with a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base. Four
aircraft were engaged on Fighter Affiliation Exercise. Two aircraft carried out aircraft service-
ability tests. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Swanton – Morley to base,
and a further one carried out a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base. Total day
flying amounted to 7 hours 35 minutes. None crews were briefed for night operations (Beeches)
and eight completed the task successfully reporting good visibility, and considered mines planted
accurately. Aircraft “Q”, captained by F/L. OMIALOWSKI, abandoned the task due to hydraulics
becoming u/s in the vicinity of ABINGDON, and jettisoned the mines in the sea after flying the
requisite distance to deep water, then flew for Wittering.

1943-08-28

INGHAM

Morning parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. Crews which operated
on the previous night were rested. Owing to the unfavourable weather conditions, no training
flights were carried out during the day. Two airmen of the squadron were involved in an accident
when entering the service` bus on returning to their duty at 13.30 hours, which necessitated their
being admitted to hospital.

1943-08-29

INGHAM

Church parade was held in the morning, and followed by morning parades and daily inspection
of aircraft. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Wittering to base, with which
was combined an aircraft serviceability test. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base
to Finningley to base. One aircraft was engaged on Lorenz practice. A further aircraft made a
cross country flight from base to Wittering to base, another from base to Faldingworth to base, and
one aircraft was also flown from Faldingworth to base. Total day flying amounted to 5 hours 15
minutes. The Gunnery carried out harmonisation of guns in two aircraft.

1943-08-30

INGHAM

Morning working parades, and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. Three aircraft were
engaged on Sea Marker firing, and a further aircraft combined sea marker firing with a serviceability
test. One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley to base. Seven aircraft
carried out serviceability tests, and one aircraft was engaged on a bombing practice. Total day
flying amounted to 9 hours 20 minutes. Fifteen crews were briefed for night bombing operations
over Munchen Gladbach, and twelve completed the task successfully. Aircraft “Q” captained by F/L
OSMIALOWSKI failed to return from the operation, nothing being heard after take off. Aircraft “U”
captained by F/O. KONCEWICZ abandoned the task 15 miles S.E. of Sheringham due to navigator being
without oxygen tube to mask and Gee and Monica u/s. Aircraft “B” captained by SGT. MARKIEWICZ abandoned at Sheringham due to Navigator being too ill to continue, bomb were jettisoned live in
the sea.

1943-08-31

INGHAM

Morning parades and daily inspections of aircraft were carried out. Crews which operated on the
previous night were rested. Weather was clear in the morning, but later in the day it deteriorated.
One aircraft made a cross country flight from base to Finningley, and another one from base to
Hucknall. Total day flying amounted to 2 hours 10 minutes.

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