Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-08-01

R.A.F. Station Heston

0505 – Squadron started the day at 30 mins available. Weather was very bright and sunny, Warm.
1500 – Three captured German aircraft (Junkers, Messerschmidt and Heinkel.) landed on the drome and were examined by pilots of the Squadron. One engine test and a little formation flying was only flying undertaken today.
2020 – Squadron released off station.

1942-08-02

0505 – Squadron came to 30 mins available but at 0830 released for training until 1300. Most of the morning it was raining rather heavily. About noon the weather changed for the better and by 1300 hours the sun was shining and very little cloud remained.
1300 – 2 sections came to readiness and two sections to 15 mins. available.
During the afternoon two aircraft were airborne escorting the German planes, and a few pilots undertook some practice flights. Squadron released at 2250.

1942-08-03

0420 – 1 section came to readiness and the rest of the squadron to 30 mins.
0850 – Ops. gave weather warning of thunderstorms expected S.E. Wales and Midlands. Thunder and rain N. England – risk decreasing.
1300 – Squadron at 30 mins. Weather now sunny periods, cloudy and very hot.
1420 – Very cloudy now 10/10 ths. Commenced raining and continued for about half an hour when the weather cleared a little again.
1800 – Squadron airborne on formation flying practice. Nothing further to report.

1942-08-04

0510 – Squadron came to 120 mins available and remained at that state until released at end of day. No operational flying was undertaken. 14 hours non-operational flying was undertaken.
1730 – Released off station.

1942-08-05

0510 – Squadron at 30 mins. until 0845 when released for training until 1300 hrs.
1300 – 1 flight at readiness, until released at 22.45. A little low flying practice was carried out. Nothing further to report.

1942-08-06

0513 – 1 flight came to readiness and the other to 15 mins. available.
1300 – Released for training. The weather was good throughout the day.
21 hours non-operational flying was carried out. Mostly practice formation flying and a little G.C.I.
1800 – Released off station.

1942-08-07

0515 – Squadron came to 30 mins. available. Slight breeze practically cloudless.
1300. – Released for training. A little formation flying was undertaken.
2039. – Squadron at 30 mins. until 22.39 when released till 05.15

1942-08-08

0500 – Weather quite good. Cloud 8/10ths at 1000´. Visibility 1 mile, wind 5 mph. dry. Squadron at 30 mins. available. At 0820 the squadron was released for training. By 1300 hours the weather had changed for the worse. Cloud 10/10ths. with visibility about 500 yds and fine rain.
1730 – Squadron released off station.

1942-08-09

Weather fair with showers.
0515 – Squadron at 30 mins until 1300 hrs. when 1 flight came to readiness and the other to 15 mins. 12 aircraft did formation flying for 50 mins. Nothing further to report.
2140 – Released.

1942-08-10

0415 – 1 flight at readiness and 1 at 14 mins. Weather cloudy and showery.
1050 – Gale warning received.
1250 – Practice scramble one section.
1450 – Section landed.
1300 – Squadron released for training. Not flying was carried out however as a thunderstorm warning was given for this area.
1645. – Released off station.

1942-08-11

Weather cloudy, visibility fair, rain probable.
1035. – 9 aircraft took off formation flying South London area. Landed 1130.
Very heavy rain fell in the afternoon. Cloud 10/10ths. and very black.
1730 – Released off station.

1942-08-12

0422 – Squadron at 30 mins available. Weather fair cloud about 3/10ths. There were patches of rain cloud about and the day was rather showery. Forma I on flying was only flying undertaken during the day.
1900 – Squadron came to readiness for two hours, and then released. Nothing further to report.

1942-08-13

0430 – Squadron came to 15 mins available. Weather fine with visibility about 4 miles. Light cloud.
1300 – 1 flight at readiness until 2000 hrs.
2130 – Squadron released. Nothing further to report.

1942-08-14

0426 – 1 flight at readiness the other at 15 mins.
1300 – Squadron at 30 mins. Sky overcast 9/10ths cloud. Warm and oppressive.
No flying at all today.

1942-08-15

0422 – Squadron came to 30 mins. Sky overcast 9/10th. Cloud. Slight breeze.
Weather deteriorated during the day cloud becoming 10/10th with rain. No flying at all.

1942-08-16

0444 – Squadron at 30 mins. Weather very dull with heavy rain.
1420 – Squadron released for training.
1645 – Released off station. Nothing further to report.

1942-08-17

0428 – Squadron came to 30 mins. available. Weather fine and warm with little to no cloud.
6 aircraft did formation flying in the morning.
1300 – 1 flight at readiness the other at 15 mins. readiness.
2107 – Released off station.

1942-08-18

0447 – Squadron at readiness. Weather fine and warm with a heavy ground mist clearing later in the morning.
0600 – 1 flight only at readiness from 0600 the remainder going to 120 mins available.
1730 – Fight Commanders and 10 others went to Northolt for Briefing for combined operations sorties upon Dieppe. 2100. Briefing of pilots in dispersal point for raid the next day.

1942-08-19

0430 – Squadron at readiness
0505 – Squadron of 12 aircraft took off on 1st operation (Jubilee). Patrolled over target for 30 mins and landed base at 0700. Nothing seen.
1025 – 12 aircraft again airborne acting as close escort to 6 Bostons laying smoke screen over target area. Nothing was seen on this trip.
1200 – Landed Heston.
1250 – Squadron scramble base and when in the air ordered to patrol area covering withdrawal of troops.
1430 – Landed Heston having seen nothing.
1550. – Patrol over shipping withdrawing from Dieppe.
1720 – Squadron landed having nothing to report.
No enemy aircraft were seen throughout all four operations and not a single shot was fired.
Weather was exceptionally fine and warm until early afternoon when warned of thunder storm. Rain from about 1800 hours.
2040 – Released off station.

1942-08-20

0430 – Squadron at 30 mins. Weather fine but much cooler than yesterday.
1030 – Released for training. A little training flying was undertaken.
1600 – Called to readiness.
1625 – Squadron of 12 aircraft took off on Circus 205 to act as diversion to main objective, which was the marshalling yards the marshalling yards at Amiens to be attacked by 12 Fortesses.
This squadron made rendezvous at Selsey Bill at 11000´and set course for Le Havre. The French coast was not crossed but a right turn made. The squadron flew nearly as far as Barfleur before setting course for home via Shoreham. Sweep carried out at between 25 and 27000´. Nothing was seen by this squadron and they landed Heston at 1835.
2005 – Released off station.

1942-08-21

0432 – Squadron at 30 mins readiness.
0930 – Called to readiness. Weather dull and overcast. Cloud 10/10ths. Cooler.
The weather was not very good 10/10 cloud at 1,000 feet and visibility under 1 mile. There was no flying carried out.

1942-08-22

04.50 – One flight came to readiness and all Squadron was at readiness at 10.45 hours. The weather was rather dull with about 6/10 cloud.
11.00 – Squadron (12 a/c) airborne on Rhubarb Operation and landed at 12.35 hours having made a low level gun attack on military targets.
Two aircraft did cannon firing practice off Beachy Head in the afternoon.

1942-08-23

The weather was dull and cloudy. Visibility was 3 – 4 miles.
15.00 – Squadron came to Readiness.
15.25 – 12 aircraft airborne on a sweep over the Dieppe area and landed at 16.50 hours.
17.30 – Released off station.

1942-08-24

04.57 – Squadron at 30 minutes available. Weather bad – visibility about 600 yards. The weather improved later on in the morning and at 15.35 hours 12 aircraft were airborne on a sweep over Abbeville and returned at 17.20 hours.
No more flying was carried on this day.

1942-08-25

Weather at dawn was non-operational – heavy rain and visibility very bad.
17.10 – Air raid warning given at Heston. There was some local gunfire but no other incidents.
The weather continued to be bad throughout the day and apart from one engine test no flying was done.

1942-08-26

05.00 – “A” Flight at readiness. Weather was cloudy with some rain.
10.20 – 4 aircraft airborne were airborne for recco of shipping in the Dieppe area and landed at 11.35 hours.
The only other flying carried out during the day was two engine tests.

1942-08-27

05.01 – Squadron at 30 minutes available. Weather mild and calm but bad visibility owing to ground mist. By 11.00 hours visibility was much better and it was very hot.
13.15 – Squadron came to Readiness.
15.50 – 12 aircraft led by F/Lt. Chelmecki were airborne on a sweep over Ostend and all aircraft landed safelt at 17.20 hours.
19.00 – Squadron at Readiness again but released at 19.50 hours. Nothing further to report.

1942-08-28

Weather again very warm with a slight haze.
12.35 – 12 aircraft led by F/Lt. Lapka airborne on a sweep over Abbeville. Two other aircraft on air sea rescue.
14.20 – 11 aircraft landed. Sgt. Lucyszyn had landed at another aerodrome at 14.05 hours, and returned to Heston later.
Squadron ( 12 a/c) carried out a training exercise during the afternoon.
19.05 – 12 aircraft airborne on a sweep over occupied France and landed at Manston at 20.35 hours. Sgt. Bzowski crashed on landing owing to striking a totem pole.

1942-08-29

08.00 – 11 aircraft returned from Manston. Weather warm with good visibility.
10.45 – Squadron (12 a/c) airborne on sweep over Belgium and landed at 12.40 hours.
20.20 – Squadron released. No other flying was carried out.

1942-08-30

06.00 – Weather warm, no wind and visibility about 200 yards becoming one mile by 11.00 hours.
13.00 – Squadron released. 11 aircraft did formation for one hour during the afternoon. Nothing further to report.

1942-08-31

08.00 – Weather bad. Heavy rain, cloud 10/10, visibility under 100 yards.
Very little flying was done owing to the bad weather.
17.30 – F/Lt. Lapka airborne for Kirton-in-Lindsey in Magister.