Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-09-01

08.00
Weather: Wind S.S.W 5-10 m.p.h. increasing 10 – 15 m.p.h. Cloud 5 to 8/10ths 2000 to 3000 ft. Visibility moderate to good, 1 to 3 miles improving. Freezing level 13.000 ft.
08.30.
Squadron of 12 a/c led by S/Ldr Baranski were airborne for Manston, landed there at at 09.00h.
15.30.
Squadron of 11 a/c returned from Manston to Base, landed 15.50: 1 a/c returned 10.25 hrs. Operation was cancelled. At 18.25 hrs. 8 a/c practiced Formation Flying. Squadron was released at 18.40 hrs. Non operational flying time were 17 hrs 50 minutes and there were 43 non – operational sorties.

1943-09-02

08.00
Weather: Fair, cloud 4/10ths to 7/10ths at 2,000ft. W.S.W. Wind 5/10 mph. visibility good.
18.00
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 36 Marauder Bombers attacking Lille A/F’s – RAMROD S.24 PART I. Landed at 19.20 hrs. Operation times 16 hrs., 12 sorties, non-operational 15 hrs. 35 minutes, 14 sorties.

1943-09-03

08.00
Weather: Cloudy, wind W. to N.W. at 2,000 ft. 10/15 mph. Visibility lees than 1,500 yds improving later to 2/4 miles.
08.15
Squadron of 12 A/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 36 Marauder bombers bombing targets at Beauvais (Lille) France. – RAMROD S.26. Landed at base at 10.15 hrs.
11.25
3 a/c were airborne on Formation Flying.
12.45
Squadron of 13 a/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 12 Venturas bombing target in the Foret D/Eperlecques – RAMROD S.27 PART II. Landed at 13.50.
17.00
Squadron of 14 a/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 72 Marauder bombers bombing targets at Hazebrucke. – RAMROD S.28 – but were recalled and operation cancelled at 17.20 hrs. Operational flying times were 39 hrs. 45 minutes, 25 sorties. Non-operational flying times 6 hrs. 30 minutes and there were 19 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-04

08.00
Weather: Fair, cloud 3/10ths to 6/10ths at 3,000 ft: visibility moderate to good, wind E to S.E. 10/15 mph. At 08.20 hrs. Squadron of 14 a/c were acting as close escort to 18 Mitchell bombers bombing target Z435 near Rouen RAMROD S.29, landed at 10.10 hrs.
13.40
Squadron of 13 a/c were airborne acting as escort to 18 Mitchell bombers attacking targets South of Boulogne – RAMROD S.30. Landed at 15.30 hrs.
17.45
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 36 Marauder bombers attacking Hazebrucke a/f. – RAMROD S.31. Landed at 19.15 hrs. Operational flying times were 65 hrs. 40 minutes and sorties were 38. Non-operational flying times were nil hours nil minutes and there were nil non-operational sorties.

1943-09-05

08.00
Weather: Cloudy, cloud 10/10ths at 500/1,000 ft. visibility 6 miles, wind S. 15/25 mph.
07.40
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne acting as Close Escort to 72 Marauder bombers attacking targets at Ghent – RAMROD S.33. Landed at 0930 hrs. Weather was unserviceable and there was no more flying this day. Operational flying times were 22 hrs. and there were 12 sorties. Non operational flying time were 1 hr. 45 minutes and 4 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-06

08.00
Weather: Cloudy, wind S.W. 5/10 mph. increasing to 15/20 mph. Cloud 8/10ths at 2,500 ft. Visibility 5 miles.
06.40
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne as Escort Cover but operation was cancelled owing to U/S weather conditions and they returned, landing at 0705 hrs.
07.05
Squadron of 13 a/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 72 Marauders attacking marshalling yards at Amiens – RAMROD S.36. Landed at 1900 hrs. There was formation flying and several aircraft tests during the day. Squadron was released at 20.26 hrs. Operational flying times were 24 hrs 5 minutes and there were 13 sorties. Non operational flying times were 9 hrs. 30 minutes and there were 19 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-07

08.00
Weather: Fair, wind W.S.W. 10 mph. Cloud 5 to 7/10ths 2,000 ft. visibility 5 to 8 miles
07.45
Squadron of 14 aircraft were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 72 Marauders attacking targets near Arras – RAMROD S.38. and landed at 09.40 hrs.
During the day several aircraft practiced formation flying.
20.25
Squadron released. Operational flying times were 26 hrs. 50 minutes and there were 14 sorties. Non operational flying times were 8 hours and there were 12 sorties.

1943-09-08

08.00
Weather: Fair, wind W. 5-10 mph. Cloud 5 to 8/10ths 2,500 ft. visibility 6/12 miles.
08.35
Squadron of 12 aircraft were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 72 Marauders attacking targets at Lille/Nord – RAMROD S.41. Squadron landed 10.10 hrs. minus two aircraft – W/O Matinowski and F.O Sniec having been lost in enemy combat.
13.45
Squadron at readiness.
17.05
Squadron were airborne acting as Medium Cover to 18 Mitchell bombers attacking targets near Boulogne – RAMROD S.42. landed 18.45 hrs.
Operational flying times were 29 hrs. 40 minutes, there were 25 sorties. Non –operational flying times were 35 minutes and there was 1 sortie.

1943-09-09

08.00
Weather: Fair, Wind E.S.E. 5 to 10 mph. Cloud 5 to 7/10ths at 23,000 ft. Vis. 4-8 mls.
09.35
Squadron of 13 a/c airborne on Beach Patrol over Boulogne as operation exercise; landed 11.30 hrs.
12.15
11 a/c airborne for convoy patrol and Air Sea Rescue and landed at 13.10 hrs.
17.15
13 A/c airborne as Escort Cover but were recalled 18.00 hrs. Released 20.27 hrs.
Operational flying times were 46 hrs. 55 minutes, 24 sorties; non operational flying times were 10 hrs. 55 minutes, 15 sorties.

1943-09-10

08.00
Weather: Cloudy with rain. Wind E/S.E. 10 to 15 mph. Cloud 7 to 8/10ths 1500 – 2000 ft. Visibility 2 to 5 miles.
05.24
Squadron at Readiness.
13.15
Squadron released off Station. Weather non-operational. No flying all day.

1943-09-11

08.00
Weather: Cloudy and ground mist, wind S/S.S.W. visibility 1000/1500 yds. , cloud 5 to 8/10ths at 15,000 ft.
13.00
“A” Flight at readiness, “B” Flight 15 minutes.
16.00
Squadron of 13 a/c. were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 21 Mitchell bombers bombing targets at Rouen – RAMROD S.216 PART I. Squadron landed at 1745 hrs.
Operational flying times were 22 hrs. 30 minutes and 13 operational sorties, non operational flying times 15 minutes and one sortie.

1943-09-12

08.00
Weather: Wind E. 10/15 mph. Cloud 8 to 10/10ths at 600 ft. improving later. Visibility less than 1,000 yds improving later to 3/6 miles. There was no flying today owing to U/S weather conditions.

1943-09-13

08.00
Weather: Fair with patches of fog and mist, cloud 2 to 5/10ths at 1,000 ft., visibility 3/6 miles, wind variable S.E. 8/12 mph.
09.55
One a/c did an A/c test and one local flying.
17.55
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne on a FIGHTER SWEEP to Doullens / Abbeville. Landed at 1940 hrs.
20.00
Squadron released for the day.
Operational flying times were 21 hrs. and there were 12 operational sorties. Non operational flying times were 50 minutes and there were 2 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-14

08.00
Weather: Fair, Wind S. 5/10 mph. Cloud 5/10ths to 7/10ths at 2/3,000 ft. Visibility 2/5 mls. Improving to 5/10 miles.
05.31 – 13.00
Squadron at Readiness.
16.45
Squadron of 11 a/c were airborne acting as Close Cover to 36 Marauder bombers bombing Woensdrecht (Holland) – RAMROD 218: landed at 1805 hrs.
Operational flying times were 16 hrs. and 12 operational sorties. Non operational flying times – nil.

1943-09-15

08.00
Weather: Fair, cloud 5/10ths at 3,000 ft. Visibility 4/8 miles, wind N.W. 20 mph.
09.35
6 a/c were airborne on formation flying and there was practice formation flying during the morning.
17.00
Squadron of 13 were airborne acting as Close Escort to 72 Marauder bombers bombing Merville A/F – RAMROD 220; landed at 18.40 hrs.
Operational flying times were 21 hrs. 40 minutes and 13 operational sorties; non-operational flying times were 12 hrs. 20 minutes and there were 12 sorties.

1943-09-16

08.00
Weather: Cloudy, becoming fair in East, Wing S.E. 15/25 mph. Cloud 7/10ths to 10/10ths at 2/4,000 ft. visibility good.
In the morning 2 aircraft did a/c tests.
17.30
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 18 Mitchell bombers attacking targets at Serquex – RAMROD 223; landed at 1915 hrs.
20.00
Squadron released.
Operational flying times were 21 hrs. and there were 12 operational sorties. Non-operational flying times were 4 hrs. 10 minutes and 5 non operational sorties.

1943-09-17

08.00
Weather: Cloudy with haze. Cloud 7/10ths to 9/10ths at 3,000 ft. Wind S/S.E. 5/10 mph. Visibility moderate to good.
10.30
Formation flying was practices from 1030 hrs. until late afternoon.
20.00
Squadron released.
Non operational flying times were 20 hrs. 5 minutes and there were 19 non operational sorties.

1943-09-18

08.00
Weather: Fair to fine with risk of showers later. Wind N.W. 5/10 mph. increasing. Cloud 5/8/10ths at 2/3,000 ft. visibility good.
05.38
“A” Flight at readiness.
09.50
14 a/c of Squadron were airborne acting as Close Escort to 72 Marauder bombers bombing Beauvais A/F. – RAMROD 228; landed at 1150 hrs.
14.15
13 a/c were airborne to Tangmere, landed there at 1445 hrs.
16.35
13 A/c were airborne as Close Escort to 72 Marauder bombers attacking Beaumont – le – Roger - RAMROD 230 – but they were recalled 15 miles from the French Coast and landed Fairlop at 1745 hrs.
20.00
Squadron released.
Operational flying times were 43 hrs. 10 minutes and there were 27 operational sorties non operational flying times were 6 hrs. 35 minutes and 14 non operational sorties.

1943-09-19

08.00
Weather: Fair, wind light and variable 10 mph., cloud 5/10ths to 8/10ths at 2,000 ft. visibility 1,000 yds. at first, improving to 3/6 miles.
16.45
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne acting as Escort Cover to 12 Mitchell bombers bombing Lievin (ammonia works) – RAMROD 233; landed at 1835 hrs.
20.00
Squadron released.
Operational flying times were 20 hrs. 50 minutes and there were 12 operational sorties. Non operational flying times were 58 minutes and one sortie.

1943-09-20

08.00
Weather: Cloudy, heavy rain at times, wind W.S. to W. 15/25/ mph. Cloud 10/10ths at 1,000/2,000 ft., visibility 3/6 miles in rain.
There were 2 a/c tests during the day but generally the weather was U/S.
Non operational flying times were 2 hrs. 25 minutes and there were 6 non operational sorties.

1943-09-21

08.00
Weather: Fair, visibility 20 miles, cloud 4/10ths at 2,000 ft. Wind S.S.W. 10 mph.
15.56
Squadron airborne to their new aerodrome at Northolt, and landed there at 1634 hrs.
18.00
Squadron practiced local and formation flying.
Non operational flying times were 26 hours and there were 27 sorties.

1943-09-22

Northolt
08.00
Weather: Fair, visibility good. Wind W/N. 10/15 mph. Cloud 4/10ths to 6/10ths at 3,000 to 4,000 ft.
10.30
2 a/c were airborne formation flying and pilots landed 1155 hrs.
14.30
Squadron of 12 a/c airborne on Fighter Sweep, - RAMROD 237. Wing swept Berck – Amiens and landed at 1635 hrs.
17.50
2 a/c were out on Air Sea Rescue patrol, landed at 18.25 hrs.
19.20
Squadron released.
Operational flying times were 26 hrs. 10 minutes and 14 operational sorties. Non operational times were 3 hours 50 minutes and 3 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-23

08.00
Weather: Fair, wind N./N.W. 5/10 mph., cloud 4/10ths at 4,000 ft. Visibility moderate to good.
05.46
“B” Flight at readiness.
06.20.
Squadron at readiness.
08.10.
12 a/c were airborne as First Fighter Sweep to RAMROD 239 PART II, landed at West Malling owing to weather conditions, landed at base 1100 hrs.
Several a/c test were done in the morning.
14.45.
Squadron of 12 a/c were airborne on First Fighter Sweep to RAMROD 240 PART I. Landed at 1645 hrs.
Operational flying times were 51 hrs. 40 minutes and 12 operational sorties. Non operational times were 12 hrs. 30 minutes and there were 30 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-24

08.00
Weather: Fair to cloudy, cloud 8/10ths at 3,000 ft. Wind W.N.W. 5/10 mph. Visibility moderate to good.
09.55
12 a/c were airborne on First Fighter Sweep, RAMROD 242 PART I landed at 11.55 hrs.
14.40
13 a/c airborne as Top Cover to 12 Mitchell bombers bombing St. Omer, RAMROD 244. Landed at 16.10 hrs.
Several night flying exercise were carried out during today.
19.40
Squadron released.
Operational flying times were 51 hours; there were 26 operational sorties. Non operational times were 10 hours and there were 15 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-25

08.00
Weather: Fair, wind N.W. 10/15 mph., visibility 1000/2000 yds. Cloud 4/10ths 3,000 ft.
10.20
2 a/c did local flying, landed 1120 hrs.
11.30
Squadron at readiness.
16.30.
12 a/c of the Squadron airborne acting as Top Cover to 12 Mitchell Bombers bombing St. Omer - RAMROD 246. Landed at 1815 hrs.
Operational flying times were 21 hours; there were 12 operational sorties. Non operational times were 3 hours and there were 4 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-26

08.00
Weather: Fine, becoming fair. Wind N.W. 20 mph. Cloud 5/10ths to 8/10ths at 2,500 ft. visibility 1/2 miles.
07.45.
Squadron called to Readiness.
08.35.
12 a/c of the Squadron were airborne acting as Top Cover to 18 Mitchell bombers bombing Rouen – RAMROD 247: landed at 10.15 hrs.
Two aircraft did an Air Sea Rescue patrol in connection with the above operations.
15.55.
12 a/c were airborne as Top Cover to No. 1 Combat Wing of Flying Fortresses attacking targets near Beauville – RAMROD 248. Landed Tangmere 1610 hrs.
17.05.
Left Tangmere after refueling and landed at base 1850 hrs.
19.17
Squadron released.
Operational flying times were 48 hours and there were 26 operational sorties. Non - operational flying times were 10 hours 20 minutes and 6 non operational sorties.

1943-09-27

08.00
Weather: Fair, wind 10/15 mph. visibility 2,000 yds. cloud 4/10ths
09.35.
(Squadron were at Readiness) 12 a/c were airborne as Top Cover 1st Fighter Sweep with 72 Marauder bombers to S. Valery and area – RAMROD 250. Several landed at 11.35. Others had to land at various A/D’s owing to shortage of petrol.
16.30
12 a/c of the Squadron were airborne acting as top cover to 72 Marauders bombing Conches A/F – RAMROD 251. Landed at 1830 hrs.
19.34
Squadron released.
Operational flying times were 51 hours and there were 24 operational sorties. Non - operational flying times were 2 hours 35 minutes and there were 2 non operational sorties.

1943-09-28

08.00
Weather: Continuous drizzle, Wind N. 15 mph. visibility 2,000 yds, cloud 10/10ths at 700 ft.
No flying in the morning owing to unsuitable weather conditions. Weather was still u/s in afternoon.
Non operational flying times were 2 hours 20 minutes and there were 5 non operational sorties.

1943-09-29

08.00.
Weather: Cloudy 8/10ths to 10/10ths at 1,000 feet, visibility 2/5 miles.
At 0935 hours 2 A/C were airborne on local formation flying practices, landed at 1105 hours.
The Squadron were released owing to the weather being unsatisfactory at 1255 hours.
Three A/C were airborne on Sector recco and formation flying at 1500 hours, landed at 1625 hours. No operational flying.
Non operational flying times were 11 hours 35 minutes. and there were 9 non-operational sorties.

1943-09-30

08.00
Weather: Extensive mist and fog with slight drizzle, visibility 1/2 miles, cloud 8/10ths to 10/10ths. at base 1000/1500 feet with lifted fog below. The weather was again very bad and flying was impossible.
The Squadron were released off Station at 1200 hours. No flying times.

[Illegible]
S/L. Commanding Officer
NO. 302 Polish Squadron.