Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1946-01

CHEDBURGH

TRANSPORT OPERATIONS.

JANUARY, 1946, saw the close of another chapter in the Squadron’s varied history – the end of operational transport flying in Warwick C III aircraft. Information was received from Hadquarters No. 46 Group, that the Squadron would be withdrawn from the air routes with effect from 10th January, for conversion to Halifax C Mk. VIII aircraft, and the last trips on the Naples & Athens runs were commenced on the 8th January. The first assignments in Transport Command were begun on 21st July, 1945, and between those two dates services have been flown regularly to Athens and Naples, and, up to 29th November, to Oslo also; and occasionally to Istres. During this period there has been only one fatal accident to a Squadron crew. Operation of the Warwick C III has not been without its headaches and worries. Mechanical failures in the air have been frequent, and good luck as well as good management has contributed to the freedom from fatality in other instances. Yes, there were few in any pangs among the aircrews at parting company with an aircraft which had proved it so unreliable. Inversely, there was considerable elation at the prospect of getting back once more to the four-engine type – especially the Halifax, which the Squadron used in Bomber Command end of engaging on longer routes.
Up to the date withdrawal from the services, five trips were flown to Athens and five to Naples during January, the aggregate of operational hours being 187.25.
Of a total of 56 departures, only 11 were late, and of these eight were due to weather causes, and the remaining three to mechanical fault.

TRAINING

ANXIOUS TO PRESS through complete conversion (including categorisation of aircrews) within a month, the Commanding Officer suspended aircrew leave with effect from mid-January on order to concentrate on the first stage of conversion – ground training. F/L KUZMICKI and F/O. S B DOWKONTT, from Command Heqdquarters, gave general talks on the characteristics of the Hercules 100 power unit and the Halifax C VIII to both aircrew and ground personnel, and on 28th January the “grind” began in earnest with a six day programme of lectures comprising a total of 36 hours as follows:- HERCULES 100 ENGINES: Lubrication system – 2 hours; Engine, general – 2 hours; R.A.F. injector carubrettor – 3 hours; supercharger – 1 hour; Engine handling and performance – 4 hours; Engine ground testing – 2 hours; HALIFAX C VIII AIRFRAME: General airframe components – 2 hours; Fuel system – 2 hours; De-icing system – 1 hour; Electrical system – 1 hour; Hydarulic system – 1 hour; Oxygen system – 1 hour; Pneumatic system – 1 hour; Vacuum system, instruments & autho-pilot – 2 hours; Aircraft loading – 2 hours; Emergencies – 2 hours; Aircraft performance and assymetric flying – 2 hours; Flight efficiency control harts – 1 hour; Use of aircraft check lists – 1 hour; Transport Command Maintenance Procedure 2 hours. In addition, five vacancies per week have been filled by Pilots & Flight Engineers on a handling course for Hercules 100 engines at the Bristol Aero - Engines School. Ground personnel have filled other vacancies at this school and have received instruction also from Air Ministry mobile instruction party.

A new branch in aircrew training was introduced during the month – the use of GCA facilities, and in addition to ferrying out air exercises at RAF Station, St. Eval, crews devoted 35.20 out at 51 link trainer hours to this subject. Air training GCA exercises totalled 13.25 hours. Total air training hours in all exercises for the month were 84.00, which included 01.25 hours I/F under hood, 15.50 hours take-off and landing cross-wind, 01.30 hours single-engined flying, 08.00 hours Gee and the 13.25 hours GCA already mentioned. Aircraft hours totalled 20.45.

Course vacancies filled included the Flight Commander’s Course at Bramcote, for which S/L A. GULYN (“B” Flight Commander) was detailed; and an Accident Prevention Course in London which was attended by F/L D K M MANDELA, who has been appointed Accident Prevention Officer for the Station.

On 18th January, the Commanding Officer, W/C T. POZYCZKA, and the Training Officer, F/L. K J TWARDAWA, attended a training conference at Headquarters, No. 46 Group, at which the principal topic under discussion was the categorisation of aircrews. On 25th January, the Commanding Officer attended the conference of Station & Squadron Commanders called by the A.O.C.

ORGANISATION AND ESTABLISHMENT

TRANSPORT COMMAND Losse Minute 1030/Org 3 dated 11th January conveyed the following authority: “The aircraft establishment of Nos. 301 & 304 (Polish) Squadrons are to be amended by the deletion of 20 u.e. Warwick C Mk. III aircraft and the addition of 20 u.e. Halifax C Mk. VIII aircraft. The Warwick C. Mk III aircraft rendered surplus by the above re-arming are to bee offered to Headquarters, 43 Group” In view of the fact that No. 304 (Polish) Squadron have taken over this unit’s air services, No. 301 Squadron’s conversion requirements have been given priority, and on 7th January, Headquarters, No. 46 Group signalled to Headquarters, Transport Command, requesting that the first 18 aircraft available be allotted to No. 301 Squadron. Re-arming had previously been promised at the rate of five aircraft per week with effect from 11th January, but unfortunately this rate of supply was not reached, and by the end of the month the conversion schedule was threatened with serious delay if more new aircraft were not rapidly forthcoming, for the crews had completed ground training, and when the categorisation examinations were over were all set for the air. The first Halifax was ferried by F/L K J TWARDAWA from No. 44 M.U. on 15th January, a second was received on the 17th and the third on the 29th, and on 31st January were all servicealble and flying.

Concurrently with this aspect of re-equipping, the Squadron had to be “re-equipped” with crews, too. Under an arrangement decided upon in conference between the Commanding Officers of the two Squadrons and W/C ORLINSKI, Polish Liaison Officer at No. 46 Group Headquarters, an exchange was made between No. 301 & 304 Squadrons of Pilots and Flight Engineers with Halifax or four-engined aircraft experience for those who have flown only Warwicks or other twin-engined types. At the end of the month there were 33 crews on strength, all with first pilots and flight engineers with experience of Halifax or four-engined types. Only twelve crews, however, were complete with second pilots. In addition to the posting in off personnel from No. 304 Squadron, other former members of No. 301 Squadron who were available for posting were “rounded up” and posted in from various unit[s] – including one who came direct from 45 Group, Dorval, Canada. Additional personnel for maintenance arrived from No. 16 (P) F.T.S., Newton – some 60 Fitters & F.M.A.s. & F.M.E.s. – but unfortunately the majority were experienced only on twin-engined types, or on Tiger Moths.

Movements of aircraft during the month were as follows:

Allotments in:-

Aircraft and Type a/C No. From Allotment auth.

Halifax C VIII PP.221 44 M.U. 41G/1060
Halifax C VIII PP.219 45 M.U. 41G/1105
Halifax C VIII PP.328 29 M.U. 41G/1172

Allotments out:-

Aircraft and Type a/C No. From Allotment auth.

Warwick C III HG.340 304 Sqdn TC/H460117
Warwick C III HG.329 304 Sqdn TC/H460117
Warwick C III HG.307 304 Sqdn TCA460129
Warwick C III HG.294 304 Sqdn TC/A460143
Warwick C III HG.332 304 Sqdn TC/A460143
Warwick C III HG.275 46 M.U. 41G/XX9793
Warwick C III HG.296 46 M.U. 41G/XX9793
Warwick C III HG.339 46 M.U. 41G/XX9793
Warwick C III HG.236 46 M.U. 41G/XX9793
Warwick C III HG.293 46 M.U. 41G/XX9793
Warwick C III HG.295 304 Sqdn TC/A460169
Warwick C III HG.297 304 Sqdn TC/A460169
Warwick C III HG.298 304 Sqdn TC/A460169

PROMOTIONS:

THE FOLLOWING promotions were authorised during the month:- Granted the permanent war rank of Flight Lieutenant: F/O. T. Jasinski (W/op.) wef. 13.9.45; F/O. H. KOZICKI (Pilot) wef. 1.9.45; F/O A/F/L K J TWARDAWA (Pilot) wef. 13.9.45. Awarded the permanent war rank of Warrant Officer: F/S BUKALO, Z., (Nav) wef. 14.1.46; F/S. SOCHA, W., (WOp/Air) wef. 20.1.46; F/S. ZULIKOWSKI, K, (F/Eng) wef. 12.1.46; F/S. LODZINSKI, S., (W/Op. Air) wef. 30.12.45. Awarded to permanent war rank of Flight Sergeant: Sgt. MIKULA, R. M., (F/Eng.) wef. 27.12.45; Sgt. ZAPRAWA, J., (F/Eng) wef. 27.12.45; Sgt. KRZYSOSIAK, L.M. (F/Eng) wef. 27.12.45; Sgt. GLEGOLSKI, K. (F/Eng) wef. 27.12.1945; Sgt. CZERWINSKI, S. (F/Eng) wef. 27.12.45; Sgt. MICHALAK, S. (F/Eng) wef. 27.12.45.

MOVEMENTS AND PERSONNEL

IN THE REORGANISATION of the aircrews the following personnel were posted to the Squadron with effect from 24th January:-
PILOTS: F/L. M. GOSZcZYNSKI, F/L E. KOREPTA, F/L L. KREMPA, W/O L. OWSIANY, W/O K. GORNY, W/O S. KOZLOWSKI, W/O H. GOLEBIOWSKI, W/O H. BOBER, W/O K. WOLSKI, W/O J. BAKINOWSKI, W/O S. JENSEN, W/O E. KOZIEL, W/O K. NAWROT, W/O S. MURLOWSKI, W/O F. MICEL. NAVIGATORS: F/L W. KRYWDA, F/L S. SAWICKI, F/S K. IWACHOW. W/OPS: F/O T J MARKOWSKI, F/S J OKON, F/S M POPKO. FLIGHT ENGINEERS: W/O C DENISIENKO, W/O S MASLON, W/O J HARASIMOWSKI, W/O J NECIUK, W/O A SZEWED, W/O DWORAKOWSKI, F/S K GALECKI, F/S K TOMASIK, F/S W ROUBO, F/S T DZIECIOLL, F/S J GERWATOWSKI. Other aircrew personnel experienced of Halifaxes or other four-engined types who arrived on posting from the units stated:- F/L J MISZEWSKI (Pilot) from No. 3 (P) H.U. wef. 17.1.46; W/O K KLOSOWSKI (Pilot) from P.A.F. Transport Pool wef 17.1.46; W/O E SZCZERBA (F/Eng) from P.A.F. Transport Pool wef 17.1.46; W/O J ZABLOCKI (Pilot), F/S K DZIUS (Nav) & Sgt. J MICHALAK (W/Op Air) from No. 1333 T.C.U. wef. 30.1.46.

In the exchange with No. 304 Squadron reformed to under the heading “Organisation & Establishment”, the following personnel were posted to No. 304 Squadron, being unexperienced on Halifax aircraft: - PILOTS: F/L J F NOWAK, F/L K DZIEGIELEWSKI, F/L Z POPLAWSKI, F/L S BUCZEK, F/L A BEDA, F/L W M WLODARCZYK. NAVIGATORS: F/L J ZABIK, F/L S PIATKOWSKI. W/Ops: F/O C TADZIK. FLIGHT ENGINEERS: F/S E A BAWOLSKI, F/S H GRABOWSKI, F/S J ZAPRAWA, F/S R M MIKULA, F/S S MICHALAK, F/S K GLEGOLSKI, F/S M. KRZYSOSIAK, Sgt. T KULCZYCKI.

Other movements of personnel are recorded in the following day-by-day diary:

1946-01-07

CHEDBURGH

W/O K JANKOWSKI (Pilot) was posted to P.A.F. Depot. and F/O M WITRYLAK (W/Op) to R.A.F Station Chedburgh, for duty in the Signals Breefing Section. F/L M A RUSIECKI, F/L K J TWARDAWA, F/L J STEPHANI, Sgt T KULCZYCKI & Sgt. MICHALAK proceeded to the Bristol Aero-Engines School for a five day handling course on Bristol Hercules 100 engines.

1946-01-10

CHEDBURGH

F/L W P WASIK (Pilot), who has been boarded permanently unit for flying duties, was posted supernumerary to R.A.F. Station, Chedburgh, for admin. duties.

1946-01-13

CHEDBURGH

The following were attached to the Bristol Aero-Engines School for the Hercules 100 course: F/L A JEDRZEJCZAK, F/O S WILENIEC, (F/Eng), W/O J NOWOCIN, F/S J ROGAL & F/S E KOCHAN. S/L A GULYN proceeded to RAF Station, Bramcote, for No. 11 Flight Commander’s Course.

1946-01-14

CHEDBURGH

F/L D K M MENDELA (Pilot) proceeded for No. 138 Accident Prevention Course in London.

1946-01-15

CHEDBURGH

F/O T JASINSKI & W/O SIBILSKI (W/Ops) were posted to P.A.F. Depot.

1946-01-18

CHEDBURGH

Two wireless operators temporarily unit for flying, pending medical boards, were posted non-effective sick to R.A.F Station, Chedburgh. They were W/O E GAWINOWICZ & W/O K SZEWCZYK.

1946-01-19

CHEDBURGH

For the handling course on Hercules 100 engines the following pilots & flight engineers proceeded to the Bristol Aero-Engines School – W/O H MARKIEWICZ, F.L A GLUBA, W/O J [Illegible], F/S E A BAWOLSKI, W/O W PIASCIK.

1946-01-20

CHEDBURGH

F/L D K M MENDELA, returned to the unit on completion of his Accident Prevention Course.

1946-01-26

CHEDBURGH

S/L A GULYN returned from R.A.F. Station, Bramcote, having completed the Flight Commanders’ Course.

1946-01-27

CHEDBURGH

F/O A/F/L A CIMOSZKO, Squadron Engineer Officer, was posted to R.A.F Station,
Chedburgh for Tech. Eng. duties. (S/L post).

[Illegible] S/L
for Wing Commander, Commanding,
No 301 (Polish) Squadron
Royal Air Force, Chedburgh