Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-12-01

HEMSWELL

No operation were ordered. There was 25 yds range shooting practice of 2 hours duration and 3 aircrew personnel were present. A lecture was given to 11 Air Gunners on Night fighter tactics the lecture lasted 1 hour. 2 Aircraft instrument flying and 1 aircraft practiced circuits and landing.

1942-12-02

HEMSWELL

6 Aircraft were detailed for operations but this was cancelled at 16.30 hours. A lecture which lasted 1 hour was given to 11 aircrew personnel on aircraft recognition. 3 Aircraft instrument flying and 4 aircrew did Link trainer practice.

1942-12-03

HEMSWELL

The operations which were ordered for 7 a/c were cancelled at 16.00 hours. But 3 a/c were detailed for daylight operations for the following day. A lecture was given for Air Gunners.

1942-12-04

HEMSWELL

Daylight operations which were ordered the previous day were cancelled, and 7 a/c were detailed for night operations but these were also cancelled at 15.45 hrs. A lecture was given to Ground personnel on Aerodrome defence – fighting in woods and forest use of hand grenade, this lecture last 2 hours and 23 personnel were present. The 25 yds range was used for shooting practice for 2 hours and 25 practiced and used 740 round of ammunition. 5 crew personnel practiced Link trainer and aircraft inspections were carried out.

1942-12-05

HEMSWELL

6 Aircraft were detailed for operations but was cancelled at 22.00 hrs. An exercise was carried out by ground personnel on Aerodrome defence – use of hand grenade organisation of defence whilst camping this lasted 1 hour and 27 were present. Aircraft tests was carried out – checking automatic pilot and W.T. (9), 1 Lorenz practice and 1 Cross country. A lecture was also given by the Signal Officer and 24 aircrew present.

1942-12-06

HEMSWELL

6 Aircraft were detailed to attack. MANNHEIM. Squadron proceeded for Holy Mass at 09.00 hrs. 1 Aircraft test was carried out and 1 Cross Country. 3 practiced on Link Trainer. Aircraft inspection carried out.

1942-12-07

HEMSWELL

No operation were ordered for this day. 4 aircraft took part in cross country flights 1 Aircraft tested. 1 a/c – Lorenz practice and single engine flying. also a/c inspection.

1942-12-08

HEMSWELL

2 aircraft were detailed for operations this was cancelled at 16.35 hours. The 25 yards range was used for practice by 9 personnel for 1 hour and 500 rounds were used. 1 Hour Cockpit and turret drill 9 present. 2 a/c Cross country flights. 2 a/c tests and single engine flying. 1 a/c circuits and landings. 2 aircraft took part in night flying. The Squadron paraded and attended Holy Mass celebration as this day was set by Cardinal Hinsley as a day of prayer for Poland.

1942-12-09

HEMSWELL

Confirmatiom was received that F/O. GRODZKI. A. SGT. PONULAK and SGT FENGER were missing from the operations on the night of 6/7th December 1942. 4 Aircraft were detailed to attack TURIN. 5 a/c and W.T. Tests carried out also 5 a/c took part in cross country flights. 1 Link trainer practice and a/c inspection carried out.

1942-12-10

HEMSWELL

Official confirmation was received that F/O Stachurski missing on night of 11/12/10.42. a prisoner of War in Germany. No operations were ordered. 3 Aircraft and W.T. tests and 8 Cross country flights were carried out. 5 Link Trainer practices were made and a/c inspections.

1942-12-11

HEMSWELL

F/Lt. ANTONI JANUSZ (Adjutant) left the squadron for duty at R.A.F. Station, HEMSWELL and was replaced by F/O. JANUSZ KEDZIERSKI. 3 aircraft were detailed for mine laying. 1 a/c tests carried out. Lecture was given on Wireless which lasted 1 hour and 21 present. Lecture was given to Ground personnel – Theory and practical defence of Aerodrome – this lasted 1 hour and 33 attended. Aircraft inspection carried out. Aircraft G.R.P. 1263 one of the aircraft which took part in mine laying made in 60th operational Sortie this Squadron.

1942-12-12

HEMSWELL

3 Aircraft were detailed for mine laying which was successful. There were also two cross country flights. 1 A/C on test and height test. 1 a/c on cross country night flying. Cock-pit drill for 8 A/G’s for the duration of 1 hour. 5 Aircrew personnel on link trainer practice. A/C inspection. To complete the day there was a Station Defence lecture for ground personnel which lasted 3 hours, 52 airmen attended.

1942-12-13

HEMSWELL

5 a/c were detailed for mine laying, one was cancelled just before the take-off. Two Aircrews were congratulated by the A.O.P. No. 1 Group for a successful trip in very bad bad weather. In the morning there was a church service for all personnel. 3 A/c on test Wireless test. Auto-pilot, and Lorenz flying 1 A/c. 2 A/C on cross country. A lecture to 18 Air Gunners was given which lasted 1 hour. 3 aircrews on link trainer. A/C inspection

1942-12-14

HEMSWELL

2 A/C ordered for mine laying -1 was cancelled just before take off. Bombing practice 2 aircraft took part. 1 A/C on Air Firing. 3 A/C on cross country flying. Cockpit and turret drill for 8 Air Gunners. This lasted 1 hour. 3 Aircrew personnel on Link trainer practice.

1942-12-15

HEMSWELL

2 A/C detailed for day operations on the 16th. Aircraft recognition 5 Air Gunners attended this for 1 hour. 1 A/c on Air to sea firing. 5 A/C on test. 1 A/C on instrument flying and auto flying.

1942-12-16

HEMSWELL

The two aircraft which were detailed for daylight operations were cancelled. 3 aircraft were detailed for night operations but this was also cancelled. 2 A/C on test. 1 A/C Instrument flying. 5 Aircrew personnel on Link trainer practice. There was a Station defence lecture which lasted 3 hours. 60 airmen attended.

1942-12-17

HEMSWELL

3 A/C detailed for day operations, bombing LEER. After 2 hours of flying these a/c returned base as the weather was not suitable for this kind of operation. Bombs were jettisoned in the sea. 1 a/c on test. A/C inspection.

1942-12-18

HEMSWELL

7 A/C detailed for night operations which were cancelled. Link trainer practice 9 attended Aircraft inspection.

1942-12-19

HEMSWELL

7 A/C detailed for mine laying. This was successfully carried out. 1 of these a/C landed at EXETER. 2 A/C on test. 2 Air Gunners attended a lecture which lasted 2 hours. A/C inspection

1942-12-20

HEMSWELL

Squadron paraded for Church Service. 1 A/C on tests. 1 A/C on Cross Country flight. W Aircrews on Link trainer practice. A/C inspection.

1942-12-21

HEMSWELL

Clay pigeon shooting for 1 hour 6 A/Gs attended. 3 A/C on instrument flying. 1 A/C Lorenz practice. 1 A/C Auto pilot. 2 A/C low flying Cross Country. 2 A/C Cross Country flight 5 A/C detailed for night flying.

1942-12-22

HEMSWELL

2 A/C detailed for day operational bombing for the 23rd. 1 A/C on practice bombing. 3 A/C on cross country and Lorenz flying. 3 Aircrew personnel on Link Trainer practice. 3 A/C on night flying, 2 were on circuits and landing and the other on Cross Country flight.

1942-12-23

HEMSWELL

The 2 A/C detailed for day operational bombing were cancelled. 4 A/C detailed for night operations were also cancelled. 2 A/C on Lorenz practice. 1 A/C on W.T. tests. 1 Aircrew Link trainer practice. 1 A/C night flying cross country.

1942-12-24

HEMSWELL

1 A/C Cross country flight. 4 A/C Link trainer practice. In the evening being Christmas eve, cellebrations were held and Air Vice Marshal. Oxland very kindly attended this event at 20.00 hours the Squadron attended Church Service. Many Christmas and New Year greetings were received.

1942-12-25

HEMSWELL

In the morning there was Church Service. At 13.00 hrs Christmas dinner was had together with the British personnel of the Station.

1942-12-26

HEMSWELL

In the morning there was Church Service. A/C inspections for operations.

1942-12-27

HEMSWELL

This morning the Squadron paraded for Church Service. 22 Aircrew personnel attended a fighter affiliation lecture for 2 hours. A/C inspection.

1942-12-28

HEMSWELL

6 A/C which were detailed for night operations were cancelled. 2 A/C detailed for day operations on the 29th. 3 A/C on Lorenz practice. 2 Aircraft on Instrument flying. 5 Air Gunners Clay pigeon Shooting for 1 hour. 10 Air Gunners on Cockpit and turret drills this lasted 1 hour. A/C inspection.

1942-12-29

HEMSWELL

The 2 a/c which were detailed for day operations the previous day were cancelled. 6 A/C detailed for night operations were also cancelled. 7 A/C on Lorenz practice. Cockpit and turret drill for 12 Air Gunners for 1 hour. A/C Inspection.

1942-12-30

HEMSWELL

5 A/C detailed for mine laying were cancelled. 4 A/C on instrument flying and test 1 A/C on Cross Country flight. A/C inspections for operations.

1942-12-31

HEMSWELL

3 A/C detailed for mine laying. 1 was cancelled before take off. 2 A/C detailed for 1st January for day operations. 1 A/C on test. 1 AC/ Cross Country flight. 2 A/C Single Engine Flying and A/C inspections.

MOVEMENTS DURING THE MONTH.

POSTING OUT – SGT. MACHURA, (A/G). SGT. FORMANIEWICZ. (WO/AG) F/L A. WAYDA. (NAV) F/O. CZEKALSKI (AG/BA) F/O KRYSIAK. (NAV) F/O. GURANOWSKI ¬+ (AG/BA) P/O. NAWALANY + (NAV) F/O. J. KRASINSKI. (PILOT).
+ denotes posted to SHQ. N/E SICK.

POSTINGS IN – SGT. ABAKANOWICZ + (A/G) SGT WAWRZAK + (A/G)
+ Denotes posted from SHQ Hemswell.
Podpis nieczytelny S/L
WING COMMANDER, COMMANDING
NO. 301 (POLISH) SQUADRON