Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-07-01

Croydon

The weather was very hot with practically no wind. Thunderstorme were expected throughout the day but did not materialise. No flying was carried out. One flight was at readiness from 12.40 until dusk. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-02

Croydon

04.27 – One flight at readiness untill 1300 when the Squadron was released for training. A little formation flying was carried out 12 aircraft being airborne for an hour.

1942-07-03

Croydon

04.28 – Squadron came to 30 mins. available and were at that state until 17.25 hours. The weather remains very hot and dry.
13.50 – 12 aircraft airborne on formation flying, landing at Heston, refuelling and returning at 13.50. On landing at Croydon P/O Paczuski made a forced landing owing to a tyre puncture causing slight damage to aircraft BL.990. The pilot was uninjured.

1942-07-04

Croydon

More cloud was visible today and also the wind was stronger than for many days previous. Formation and local flying was undertaken during the afternoon. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-05

Croydon

Weather cooler with cloud at about 2000 ft. Formation flying was the only work carried out.

1942-07-06

Croydon

04.30 – One section at readiness until 08.35 when the Squadron was released for training. Local thunderstorms were expected but the weather remained fine and cooler than of late. Training flights and some engine tests were carried out.
1700 – 6 aircraft at readiness until released at 23.20 hrs.

1942-07-07

Croydon

The weather was warm with very little cloud.
1145 – F/Lt. Lapka airborne for Heston.
1430 – 16 aircraft led by S/Ldr. Kowalski airborne for Heston and landed at 14.45 hrs.
1600 – The non-flying personal which had been attached to Croydon with the squadron departed by lorry for Heston on the cessation of the attachment.

1942-07-08

Heston

Weather remains hot and dry with thunderstorms expected. Some formation flying was carried out during the afternoon. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-09

Heston

Very little to report today. The only flying carried out was formation flying by 12 aircraft.

1942-07-10

Heston

The weather was windy with mist and rain. Visibility poor. One section was at readiness from 1300 hrs. until released at 23.18. No flying today owing to bad weather.

1942-07-11

Heston

0434 “A” Flight readiness and “B” Flight at 15 mins. available.
13.00 – Squadron released for rest of day. A little flying training was carried out during the afternoon.

1942-07-12

Heston

During the morning the 6 aircraft were airborne on exercises with the Home Guard.
13.25 – 12 aircraft led by S/Ldr. Kowalski took off sweep over Dunkirk and Calais.
The trip was quits uneventful, the pilots returning with nothing to report.
1450. – Landed Heston.
1840 - 12 aircraft led by S/ldr Kowalski took off on sweep over St. Valery e en Caux.
Like the earlier sweep today there was no enemy aircraft to be seen and the pilots returned to base 2020.
23.15. – Squadron released until 0439 on 13/7.

1942-07-13

Heston

08.20 – Squadron came to readiness. The weather was quite bright and calm.
09.20 – 12 aircraft airborne on sweep. P/O Gorzula had trouble with his undercarriage and returned landing Heston 0930. Remainder of the Squadron carried on with the work in hand, which was to sweep French coast crossing at Le Traport make a left turn at a point West of Abbville and come out at Le Crotoy. The height reached over France was 22,000´ and nothing was seen except moderate flak about 1000´ below. Rodeo operation.
1050. – Squadron landed. By this time the weather had changed slightly and cloud about 5/10.
1415 – 12 aircraft led by S/Ldr. Kowalski took off on sweep. Circus 199. They acted as leading Squadron at 16500´ to the target support wing, 12 Bostons bombing the docks at Boulogne. No enemy aircraft were seen but some fires were observed in Boulogne due to the action of the bombers. 2 aircraft acted as Air Sea Rescue during this operation taking off about 10 mins. before the others and landing 10 mins. later
15.30. Squadron landed Heston.

1942-07-14

Heston

The day on the whole was rather cloudy with some rain. A little local flying was carried out during bright spells. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-15

Heston

The weather remains cloudly but with bright periods. Convoy patrol was carried out by sections of four aircraft at 1145 to 1325. 1240 to 1425. 1340 to 1450. 1450 to 1635 and 1550 to 1740. The aircraft were to patrol Beachy Head , about four miles out to sea to protect target towing aircraft. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-16

Heston

Weather today rather rainy with strong wind. Cloud 10/1o at 800´.
0622 – Squadron came to readiness.
1300 – Released for training but weather not fit.
1530 – Released off station.

1942-07-17

Heston

Cloudy and dull today. Squadron at 30 mins. available.
1300 – “B” Flight called to readiness.
1730 – Air raid warning. E/A. (Dornier reported heading this way).
1735 – Reported that E/A has changed direction and is now heading S.E. All clear followed.
2312 – Squadron released till 04.45 18/7.

1942-07-18

Heston

Owing to low cloud and rain there was no flying today and the squadron was released at 1300 hrs. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-19

Heston

Weather very overcast in morning and no flying was undertaken. The afternoon was a little brighter and some formation flying was carried out. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-20

Heston

0446 – Squadron at 30 mins available. Weather overcast with slight breeze.
0920 – Released for training. One aircraft took off on engine test, but apart from that there was no other flying.
1300 – “A” Flight at readiness. B Flight at 35 mins.
1545. – Squadron of 12 aircraft led by F/Lt. Lapka took off on mass “Rhubarb” raid on North coast of France. Military objectives were attacked between St. Valery en Caux and East of Dieppe. All aircraft returned safely. 10 pilots had used their guns.
23.12 – Squadron released off station until 0449 21/7.

1942-07-21

Heston

0449 – Weather rather close and overcast. Cloud 10/10. Very little flying undertaken.
1300 – Squadron at 120 mins. available. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-22

Heston

0425 – 3 aircraft took off on a “Rhubarb” operation over France. The target was a hutted camp near Etaples. Landfall was made near Le Crotoy which was too far South and it was some time before the target was located. The attack was not an outstanding success owing to the ground defences of the enemy. P/O Gladych was hit in the port exhaust manifold.
The same three pilots were briefed to undertake the same operation again in the evening and provisional permission was obtained from Group. The operation was due to start at 2000 but it was cancelled at the last moment. Permission was however granted for the aircraft to go the next day in early morning weather permitting. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-23

Heston

0520 – 4 aircraft took off on the operation as cancelled overnight. Flying below 500 feet crossed over Dugeness and off Le Touquet F/O Gorzula and P/O Czarnecki made landfall at Plage St. Gabriel North of Le Touquet while F/O Gladych and P/O Nowakiewicz crossed South of the town.
Gorzula and Czarnecki flew along East side of railway towards Etaples and near Lefaux saw a WT Station consisting of one large building and five aeriel masts camouflaged with netting. They were unable to find target but attacked a large factory ¼ mile N of Etaples. Bofors fire was seen from five points around factory. Unable to find any other targets but on recrossing coast flew over RDF station at Plage St. Cecily and confirm intense bowl fire from East of Station. Bofors, pom pom and also black shrapnell followed them two miles out to sea. Thes a two pilots returned via Rye and landed at base 0645. Weather over France 10/10 cloud and times down to ground raining in places. Gladych and Nowakiewicz made landfall 3 miles South of Le Touquet and owing to bad visibility passed Etaples and found themselves N. of Foret de Boulogne they struck and army camp on a plateau. A number of Nissen hutscamouflaged and a radio station of one but and 4 aerial masts. Intense bofors fire from all round camp. Gladych attacked and silenced one gun post and after a wide turn again attacked gun post followed by Nowakiewicz. Flashes and much dust and debris seen as results of hits. Flak continued all time. After attack Nowakiewicz did no reply on R/T and Gladych flew south along railway line and found hutted camp at Etaples. His first attack showed many hits on huts but no A.A. was seen. After a left turn he came in again and saw many soldiers in camp which he attacked and M/G fire opened up from west side of camp. His cockpit hood was hit near foret de boulogne. He made another wide turn followed my a third short attack with M/G. Then recossed French coast near Plage St. Cecily and reached English coast at Folkestone. Landed Hawkhinge 0725 and returned to Heston later.
P/O Nowakiewicz and 1 Spitfire V.b. missing.
Apart from this operation the squadron was at 30 mins all day until released at 17.30. There was no other flying.

1942-07-24

Heston

The squadron started the day at 30 mins available and were at this state until 1300 when 1 flight came to readiness and the other at 15 mins. available. A fair amount of local and formation flying practice was carried out during the day. The weather was rather windy and large patches of cloud with bright periods.

1942-07-25

Heston

Weather again fair with low cloud 5/10 ths.
0450 – “A” Flight at readiness and “B” Flight at 15 mins.
1300 – State changed to 30 mins. for all the squadron.
Formation flying was carried out by 12 aircraft and some local flying was undertaken.
1730 – Released off station.

1942-07-26

Heston

Weather fair with bright periods. Cloud 8/10 ths at worst periods.
0450 – Squadron at 30 mins.
1155 – Squadron at readiness for sweep.
1245 – 12 aircraft led by S/Ldr Kowalski took off on sweep (Rodeo operation) Calais area. Several F.W.190 were seen by this Squadron and two were claimed as shot down and destroyed and 2 claimed as damaged, probably destroyed. S/ldr. Kowalski and F/O Rodziewicz claimed the two shot down. Sgt. Mikusek and P/O Wedzik claim the two damaged. The sweep seemed to be quite successful as a fairly large number of the planes seen were apparently destroyed or damaged.
1430 – Squadron landed. All aircraft returned safely.
1500 – Squadron at 30 mins. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-27

Heston

Weather rainy and cloud 10/L0ths. No flying carried out and there is nothing of interest to report.

1942-07-28

Heston

0600 – Squadron at 120 mins. Weather fine with cloud early morning.
Squadron second anniversary was celebrated today. Several distinguished guests were present including General Sikorski and Air Marshal Leigh Mallory. A Mass service was held at 0900 hrs followed by decoration of some of the pilots and a march past. Later everybody sad down to a luncheon after which the normal routine continued. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-29

Heston

0500 – Squadron at 30 mins. available. Weather rather misty clearing later.
A little flying was carried out locally.
2000 – 6 pilots and aircraft at night readiness. Nothing further to report.

1942-07-30

Heston

0800 – Squadron at 30 mins.
1400 – Weather good and warm, no cloud.
1640 – 11 aircraft airborne on sweep together with the Northolt and Debden wings. No enemy aircraft were seen and there is nothing to report.

1942-07-31

Heston

1415 – 12 aircraft took off for Ibsley were they landed at 1455.
The weather all day was brilliant and very hot.
1730 – 10 aircraft proceeded from Ibsley on fighter sweep over Cherbourg. Nothing to report by this squadron.
1740 – Three aircraft departed on Air Sea Rescue from Heston over Tangmere and Merston landing at Merston 1955, and returning later. Nothing further to report.

DETAIL OF WORK CARRIED OUT
By 302 (Polish) Squadron.
For the Month of July 1942

Date Aircraft Crew Duty Time Details of sortie or flight
Type & Number Up Down

12/7. Spitfire V.B.
EN.865 S/Ldr. Kowalski Sweep. 1325 1450 Sweep over Dunkirk and Calais.
AA.835 P/O Nowakiewicz „ „ „ „
BM.179 F/O Kaminski „ „ „ „
BL.549 „ Ciastula „ „ „ „
BM.651 „ Wroblewski „ „ „ „
AA.854 F/Sgt Kobusinski „ „ „ „
EN.861 F/Lt. Chelmecki „ „ „ „
BM.648 F/O Sporny „ „ „ „
EN.852 F/O Ebenrytter „ „ „ „
BL.235 P/O Wedzik „ „ „ „
W.3902 F/O Kwiatkowshi „ „ „ „
W.3960 Sgt. Gretkierwicz. „ „ „ „

EN.865 S/Ldr. Kowalski Sweep. 1840 2020 Sweep over St. Valery en Caux
AA.835 P/O Nowakiewicz „ „ „ „
BM.179 F/O Kaminski „ „ „ „
BL.549 „ Ciastula „ „ „ „
BM.651 „ Wroblewski „ „ „ „
AA.854 F/Sgt Kobusinski „ „ „ „
EN.861 F/Lt. Chelmecki „ „ „ „
BM.648 F/O Sporny „ „ „ „
EN.852 F/O Ebenrytter „ „ „ „
BL.235 P/O Wedzik „ „ „ „
W.3902 F/O Kwiatkowski „ „ „ „
W.3960 Sgt. Gretkierwicz. „ „ „ „

13.7. . F/O Gorzula Sweep 0920 1050 Sweep over Abbeville.
Returned to base cockpit
BL.549 „ Ciastula „ „ „ „
. „ Rodziewicz „ „ „
AA.835 P/O Nowakiewicz „ „ „
AA.854 F/Sgt Kobusinski „ „ „
. P/O Rytka „ „ „
EN.852 F/O Ebenrytter „ „ „
EN.851 F/Lt. Chelmecki „ „ „
EN.922 F/O Kwiatkowski „ „ „
AA.848 F/O Sporny „ „ „
AR.280 Sgt. Gretkierwicz. „ „ „
BL.925 P/O Wedzik „ „ „