Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1945-01-01

SAINT. DENIJS WESTREM.

The Squadron took off at 08.40 hours to take part in operation D. 293, Interdiction and Armed Recce on lines AMERSFOORT – ZWOLLE – AMERSFOORT – APPELDOORN, 4 x 500 lb and 16 x 250 lb bombs were carried, 3 x 500 lb. bombs and 2 x 250 lb bombs hung up 1 x 500 and 6 x 250 lb were dropped on rail line at E. 4998, no direct hits being scored. During this mission 1 pilot, F/S Celak, was shot down in Diver area by our own flak. Pilot O.K. 8 x 250 lb bombs jettisoned in the East Schelde by [ oder ] of G.C.C. and then patrolled against enemy A/C under direct control of G.C. without engagement. After the aircraft had landed, the New Year’s Day attack by enemy aircraft commenced. It was unfortunate that most of the aircraft had just returned from operations, some, indeed, were caught in the process of landing their aircraft when the attack was on, as they were, in all cases short of petrol and ammunition. Aircraft on the ground proved to be very vulnerable, and in all 9 aircraft were burn out or destroyed. Operational hours 12.20 Sorties 8. Non operational hours 1.00 Sorties 2.

1945-01-02 to 1945-01-12

Owing to shortage of aircraft and again to weather conditions the Squadron flew neither operational nor non-operational sorties from the 2nd. January until the 13th. January, 1945.

1945-01-13

There was non operational flying today. Three aircraft were brought in from B. 61. Non operational sorties 3. Hours 1.00.

1945-01-14

Only non-operational flying again today. Cross Country Flying carried out by two aircraft. Non-operational hours 3.20 Sorties 2.

1945-01-15

NO FLYING.

1945-01-16

NO FLYING.

1945-01-17

There was again no operational flying today, but there were 7 aircraft brought in from other airfields, and one local flying sortie was carried out. Non operational hours 3.00 Sorties 8.

1945-01-18

NO FLYING.

1945-01-19

Again no operational flying. From 1430 60 times from 1600 to 1640 5 sorties of local flying only were carried out. Non operational hours 8.55. Sorties 5.

1945-01-20

Today the Squadron took part in its first operation since the 1st. of January. This operation was DD. 414, Armed Recce in Eastern half of area “Y” with special attention to Big Ben and Diver Activity. 20 x 250 lb bombs were carried, 9 x 250 lb were dropped on what appeared to be 10 stationary MET near Bridge at A.0997, no direct hits being seen, the target was also strafed but no results seen, owing to the fact that it was covered with snow and difficult to identify. 1 x 250 lb bomb hung up and 6 x 250 lb brought back. Pilots observed a Big Ben trail in direction of HAGUE, but no Diver activity was seen. Weather in area “Y” being 7-8/10 in thin layers from 2.000 feet. Operational hours 16.40 Sorties 10. Non Operational hours 2.30 Sorties 2.

1945-01-21

There was no operational flying today, the only sorties being Local Flying. Non operational hours 1.55. Sorties 5.

1945-01-22

There were two operations today, DD451 Armed Recce N. and E. of APPELDOORN, and bombs dropped on rly line and hutted Camp. Second op. DD.444 to bomb a ship reported in River West of ROTTERDAM Ship blew up and sunk within a few minutes. Operational hours 27.40 Sorties 18. Non op hours 3.20 Sorties 5.

1945-01-23

GRIMBERGEN

There were two operations today, the first commencing at 1105 hours, D. 452, Armed Recce N. of APPELDOORN. They carried 14 x 250 lb bombs which were dropped on some barracks a barge and tug without scoring direct hits. About 40 trucks were attacked next and 2 of them were left smoking. 1 MET was also attacked and destroyed. Second operation DD 457, the Squadron took off at 1440 hours. 16 x 250 lb bombs were carried. These were dropped on wireless masts / 1 direct hit /, and some barracks / 3 direct hits / On their way back to base. I MET full of troops was attacked and destroyed and also a column of approximately 30 HDT’s was strafed with cannon and MG’s out of which 2 were destroyed. Operational hours 43.00 Sorties 23. Non operational hours 3.05. Sorties 2.

1945-01-24

There was again one operation today, that was DD. 474, Weather and Armed Recce. The weather report was favourable, so the rest followed on dive bombing. The target was a 1,000 ton ship which had already been attack by the first section. The target was not found due to weather conditions but some barges on a harbour were attacked instead. Results were satisfactory. Operational hours 22.00 hours. Sorties 12. Non operational hours NIL, Sorties NIL.

1945-01-25

There was only cross country flying today. Non operational hours 07.35 Sorties 7.

1945-01-26

Owing to the prevailing weather conditions, there was no flying today at all.

1945-01-27

F/Lt. Wegrzyn carried out a cross country flight in the morning. At 1615 hours, Pink section of two aircraft was scrambled by W/C. Ops against a plot of Ju.88 which was received by Ops from Gun operations room. Section patrolled uneventfull over Antwerp and landed at 1705 hours. Non operational hours 1.15 Sorties 1. Operational hours 1.40 Sorties 2.

1945-01-28

One operation again today. D. 507 with take off at 1615 hours, which, owing to the late time of take off, was only carried out by 4 a/c. When they arrived in the area of ZALTBOMMEL, an intense flak barrage was encountered and one of our aircraft was hit. It was the leader, and his rudder was shot out of action. Bombs were consequently jettisonned, nevertheless hitting the troublesome flak positions and out aircraft returned to base and landed safely. Operational hours 5.20 Sorties 4.

1945-01-29

The Squadron sent out 11 aircraft on DD.517, Armed Recce in the course of which 15 x 250 lb bombs were dropped on rail-lines and rail-road crossings. 4 direct hits were claimed. Target attacked were railline at Z. 6218 / 2 direct hits / and railline at Z. 9703 / 2 direct hits /. One of the bombs hung up. Operational hours 19 hrs 35 mins. Sorties 11. Nn operational hours and sorties NIL.

1945-01-30

No flying, owing to the weather again.

1945-01-31

No flying owing to weather.

[Illegible]
for Squadron Leader. Commanding,
No. 302 / Polish / Squadron.