Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-02-01

HEMSWELL

Two Pilots carried out Bombing Practice and other training included cock-pit and dinghy drill.

1942-02-02

HEMSWELL

A.O.C. visited Station and complemented crews on their efforts during January which equaled the the Group’s best of last July. The funeral of F/O. W. REDA whose body was recovered from the sea at the end of last month took place at NEWARK. F/Lt. SAWLEWICZ posted to 18 O.T.U. Bramcote for instructor duties. Flying training included A.M.L. Teacher and Station Defence Training for ground personnel continued.

1942-02-03

HEMSWELL

Ground training only due to bad weather. Bomb-aimers practised on A.M.L. Teacher and Bombing Panel and Link Trainer for Pilots. W/T. Operators also exercised.

1942-02-04

HEMSWELL

Squadron ordered to “Stand by” until 16.00 hrs. from early hours. This involved all night preparations by maintenance crews. Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-05

HEMSWELL

“Stand by” again ordered from 06.00 hrs., but operations are later cancelled. F/O. BUSEN-SCHMITZ returned from detachment to R.A.F. STRADISHALL.

1942-02-06

HEMSWELL

“Stand by” continued with operations against BREST as addition. Eight aircraft attacked without observing results and on return photo-flash exploded in GR-F. as machine landed causing damage but no injuries to crew. Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-07

HEMSWELL

Local flying included one-engine flying while cross-countries were also carried out. Squadron “Stood down” at 18.00 hrs. until 0800 hrs. next day. Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-08

HEMSWELL

Information received that Sgt. NOCON’S body recovered from the sea. “Stood down” in afternoon and aircraft were tested while Lorenz practice was also carried out. Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-09

HEMSWELL

F/O KOLODZIEJEK proceeded to MILDENHALL for B.A. Course. Aircraft tests and 25 yards shooting practice. Link Trainer for Pilots and ground defence exercises.

1942-02-10

HEMSWELL

Eight aircraft successfully raided BREMEN and returned safely. Cross-country, instrument and one-engine flying.

1942-02-11

HEMSWELL

Operations again. This time for two freshers against LEHAVRE. Both returned safely. Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-12

HEMSWELL

Squadron carried out daylight operations for the FIRST TIME when orders were received to attack the German Warships in the Channel. Eight crews took part but low cloud and haze made location of enemy units extremely difficult, although three crews reported sighting the [Illegible] of the ships and bombed without observing results. All crews returned safely. Funeral of Sgt. NOCON took place to NEWARK.

1942-02-13

HEMSWELL

Operations ordered against COLOGNE and LE HAVRE. Of 6 aircraft detailed for former target, one attacked EMDEN and another BERGHEIM owing to technical trouble. Thick cloud made observation difficult over both targets. All machines including two freshers against LE HAVRE, returned safely. One fresher reported sighting an enemy fighter but contact was not made. Owing to sudden change of bomb load, maintenance personnel had to work guickly to complete preparations in time for take off.

1942-02-14

HEMSWELL

F/Lt. WILKOJC posted to No. 1 E.O.A.S., EASTBOURNE for Observers training and F/O. HALLAS proceeded to MANBY for Bombing Leaders Course. One-engine flying, Link Trainer for Pilots and clay pigeon shooting.

1942-02-15

HEMSWELL

Operations cancelled at 13.30 hrs. Lorenz training and one-engine flying. Link Trainer for Pilots. Ground personnel continued aerodrome defence exercises.

1942-02-16

HEMSWELL

The recent heavy cloud experienced over targets persisted and when 10 aircraft raided the BREMEN area, they could not observe results. Weather also interfered with the home coming with the result that many machines made crossings of the coast in the Edinbourgh area. All landed safely and there were no casualties.

1942-02-17

HEMSWELL

P/O KOLODZIJEK returned from MILDENHALL. Aircraft tests, cross-countries and Link Trainer for Pilots. Night flying. Four Second Pilots practised.

1942-02-18

HEMSWELL

Link Trainer for Pilots. Aircraft tests and recognition of enemy aircraft lectures for Air Gunners. Lorenz and Instrument flying.

1942-02-19

HEMSWELL

ST. NAZAIRE was target selected for operations but they were cancelled at 17.00 hrs. Test flights and Lorenz training with lectures on the Marconi Set for Wireless Operators. Link Trainer for Pilots. Four Pilots did night flying.

1942-02-20

HEMSWELL

Circuits and landings and one-engine flying and Lorenz training. More recognition lectures for crews. W/Cdr. PIOTROWSKI on leave and S/Ldr KRZYSTYNIAK assumed command.

1942-02-21

HEMSWELL

Normal flying training with lectures for Wireless Operators. Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-22

HEMSWELL

Sgt. KUZNIACKI proceeded to Mildenhall for B.A. Course. Operations against WILHELMSHAVEN. Nine aircraft took part, one returning early owing to technical trouble. Remainder found 10/10th cloud over target. All returned.

1942-02-23

HEMSWELL

F/O. SUSZCZYNSKI attacked to R.A.F. Station, HURN. Aircraft tests and A.M.L. Teacher for Bomb Aimers.

1942-02-24

HEMSWELL

P/O. KURZOK – WERNER posted to No. 1 A.A.S. MANBY. Aircraft carried out height tests up to 20,000 ft. Lectures on recognition for Air Gunners while crews discussed aspects of the last operations.

1942-02-25

HEMSWELL

One machine failed to return from an attack made by 9 aircraft on KIEL. Two others experienced icing trouble and returned without bombing target. Excellent photograph of KIEL docks obtained by F/O. JANOWIAK. A.O.C. No. 1 Group offered congratulations. Members of missing crew were: F/O. JABLONSKI, Pilot: P/O. KOZIEL, 2nd Pilot: F/O. FUGIEL, Observer: Sgt. DROZDZIK, W/T. Operator; Sgts. BUJAK and DOLATA, Air Gunners.

1942-02-26

HEMSWELL

Six aircraft searched North Sea for missing crew but without success. W/Cdr. PIOTROWSKI – reassumed command on return from leave.

1942-02-27

HEMSWELL

KIEL again target for 6 aircraft all of which returned safely. W/T. tests and one-engine flying and 25 yards shooting practice on the range. Link Trainer for Pilots.

1942-02-28

HEMSWELL

P/O. FLORCZAK proceeded to R.A.F. WATCHFIELD for a B.A. Equipment Course and F/O. LISZKA to FARNBOROUGH for a short Oxygen Course. W/T. tests and cross-country flights. Night flying for 4 Pilots.

[Illegible]
Adjutant, 301 (Polish) Squadron.