Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-08-04

Jurby

0930 – Advance Party ,consisting of two Officers and three airmen, proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Churchstanton, Somerset., prior to move of Squadron.

1941-08-07

Jurby

0600 – Whole Squadron transferred from R.A.F. Station, Jurby to R.A.F. Station, Churchstanton, Som., personnel departed 0600 hours. Hurricane aircraft and two Harrows departed 1400hours. The move of the whole Squadron was completed by 0400 hours on 8/9/41.

Churchstanton

Convoy patrol carried out at Churchstanton.

1941-08-22

Churchstanton

1103 – 12 Hurricanes 302 Squadron, left Ibsley at 1103 hours, to fly to a point 10 miles North of Cherbourg at 4,000 ft., or just below cloud level, five minute after bombers. Squadron flew in patrol formation and flew along the North of the Cherbourg Peninsular. On returning at 4,000 ft., 15 miles North of Cherbourg, two Me. 109´s dived from 8,000 ft. to 7,000 ft staying 2,000 ft above the Squadron. The Hurricanes went into a defensive circle and the 109´s flew away. 11 Hurricanes landed at Ibsley at 1125. One landed a t Hurn due to engine trouble.

1941-08-24

Churchstanton

1255 – Sgt. Kropiwnicki – P783498 – flying Hurricane IIB Z2913 was killed in a flying accident which occurred 3 miles East of Churchstan ton.
Sgt Kropiwnicki had been patrolling a convoy for one hour twenty minutes and was returning to base. He flew very low over the Merry Harriers Inn and at that time his engine was emitting a loud and continuous roar. He passed over a small field beyond the Inn made a sharp turn about and crashed into the field at an angle of approximately 60° to the ground. On hitting the ground the a/c burst into flames. The pilot was extricated from the blazing plane by Charles John SMITH and William Henry HARRIS both of whom exhibited great courage and which service deserves recognition.

1941-08-26

Churchstanton

1245 – Offensive Wing Patrol. 12 Hurricanes of 302 Squadron and 12 Hurricanes of 317 Squadron took of from Exeter at 1245 hrs with instructions to carry out sweeps over Cherbourg at 25,000 ft. No.F/A seen and no A A fire noticed. Recrossing Engligh coast at 14,000 ft the whole Wing of 24 a/s landed atnWarmwell at 1410 hrs.

1941-08-27

Churchstanton

1245 – 12 Hurricanes from 302 Squadron accompanied by 12 from 317 Squadron took of from Exter to carry out a high sweep over Cherbourg in support of mainmoperations. The Wing patrolled at 25-27,000 ft and remained over Cherbourg peninsular from 13,20-13,30 hrs. No e/a seen nor A A fire notieed.

1941-08-31

Churchstanton

1433 – 12 Hurricanes took off Bolt Head and set course for Isle of De Batz, reached patrol line at 1512 and patrolled for 5 minutes. One a/c , thought to be on Me 109 was sighed but no combat took place. Squadron landed at Exeter at 15.45.
F/O Karwowski piloting Hurricane IIB. Z3752 after landed at Bolt Head Landing Ground , left the runway whilst taxying his a/c, in order to make a clear path for the next a/c coming into land, but the undercarriage wheel fell into a furrow causing damage to a/c. Pilot was uninjured Airframe Cat B.