Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1945-05-01

VARRELBUSCH

On this, the first day of ten month there was no flying at all owing to the weather conditions.

1945-05-02

The first flight of today took place at 1125 hours, and two aircraft carried out weather recce. There was another weather recce later at 1605 hours. Both these operations were uneventful. At 1725 hours, the Squadron Commander Scrambled to intercept a Junkers 188 which was circling the drone. The A.A. gunners fired at it, and it flew away, Information received later confirmed that it had landed at another aerodrome. Operational hours 4.05. Sorties 5. Non operational hours and sorties NIL.

1945-05-03

Today one only operation was D.774/W.H.39, in which 11 aircraft, including that of the Group Captain GABSZEWICZ. AK. Took off on close support – Dive Bombing at R.205494, carrying 11 x 500 and 22 x 250 lb, bombs. 2 x 500 were dropped at R.205494, but the other aircraft did not attack due to the weather. 1 x 500 lb bombs hung up and was lost on the way back to base. 10 x 500 and 20 x 250 were brought back. Scattered met seen on road at E.1748, to R.1847, were not attacked due to the weather. Flak from the target area was moderate light. Pilots saw a P.O.W. camp with roofs of buildings painted white “P.O.W” near the target. They also saw ship movement between the mainland and LANGEHOOG island. Operational hours 14.40 Sorties 11. Non operational hours 2.20 Sorties 4.

1945-05-04

There was only one operation again today, and there was no non-operational flying at all. This operation was D.782, to Bomb and Strafe two 500 ton ships moving East, N. of WANGEROOGE, and one 200 ton ship N. of WILHELMSHAVEN Bay. 12 x 500 and 24 x 250 bombs were carried and dropped at R.1885 on 1 ship of about 500 tons, stationary, no hits were scored but there were 4 very near misses. Result – 1 ship damaged. Flak from R.0355 was intense heavy and light. Weather conditions in VILHELMSHAVEN area were 10/10 at 3-12,000 feet with poor visibility. Operational hours 17.00 Sorties 12. Non operational hours and sorties NIL.

1945-05-05

Owing to the weather conditions there was no flying at all day.

1945-05-06

Again, the weather prevented the carrying out of any flying at all.

1945-05-07

The Squadron carried out local flying in the morning, but at 1540 hours took off on operation D.791, Standing patrol over Bremen and area by 12 aircraft of the Squadron. This patrol was uneventful. Group Captain Gabszewicz with S/L. Kaczmarek carried out a similar operation at 1830 hours, but this in turn, was also uneventful. Operational hours 27.50 Sorties 14. Non operational hours 16.40 Sorties 14.

1945-05-08

There was no more operational flying from now on. Today was spent in a Victory Airborne Parade. Non operational hours 16.15. Non operational sorties 17.

1945-05-09

There were only two flights today, both together at 11.45, when two aircraft took off on a patrol over the HAGUE. This was uneventful. No operational hours 2.30 Sorties 2.

1945-05-10

From 1130 to 1235 the Squadron carried out formation flying, 12 aircraft. F/LT. SZYMANKIEWICZ flew an aircraft to B.56. Non operational hours 12.20 Sorties 13.

1945-05-11

Flying in the morning was impossible, but in the afternoon at 1800 hours, 12 aircraft took off in formation flying. W/C. Sawicz flew to B.103 and back, and F/L. Szymankiewicz returned from B.56. Non operational hours 11.10. Sorties 15.

1945-05-12

Again the only flying was formation flying. This took place between 11.25 hours and 12.20 hours. Apart from this there was no flying at all. Non operational hours 11.00 Sorties 12.

1945-05-13

No flying took place today, owing to the weather.

1945-05-14

Group Gabszewicz was the only pilot to fly today. He took off at 0945 hours, and landed in ENSCHEDE at 10.10 hours. He took off from ENSCHEDE at 1220 and landed here at 1245 hours. Non operational hours 0.50 Sorties 2.

1945-05-15

There was only formation flying today, carried out by 14 aircraft, including W/C. SAWICZ. They took off at 1630 hours, and flew till 1915. Non operational hours 38.10. Sorties 14.

1945-05-16

Formation flying again from 1040 to 1245. Sgt. Piotrowicz carried out aircraft test from 1100 to 1125, and Group Captain Gabszewicz and S/Ldr. Olszewski did some local flying together from 1530 to 1720. Non operational hours 31.05. Sorties 16.

1945-05-17

The Squadron carried out formation flying from 1020 to 1115 hours, 12 aircraft taking part. F/Lt. Muth flew to Lűbeck and back. Non operational hours 1315. Sorties 14.

1945-05-18

There was no flying at all today.

1945-05-19

In the morning 12 aircraft took off on formation flying at 1045 hours, landing at 1155. Flight Lieutenant Jaworski flew to B.61, and then Group Captain Gabszewicz and S/Ldr. Olszewski flew to B.103 and back. Again, at 1740 hours, the Squadron took off for formation flying. Non operational hours 23.55. Sorties 25.

1945-05-20

Group Captain Gabszewicz with the Squadron carried out formation flying from 1040 hours to 1200 hours. F/L. Jaworski returning from B.612, landed at B.77, and from there to B.106, finally landing back to this drome B.113 Varrelbusch. Group Captain Gabszewicz, together with F/Lt. Mickiewicz took off again at 1655 hours, and flew locally till 1900 hours. Non operational hours 22.40. Sorties 18.

1945-05-21

Owing to the weather conditions, there was no flying carried out by the whole of the Squadron, although S/L. Olszewski took off at 0945 hours for Weather Test, landing at 1045. Non operational hours 1.00 Sorties 1.

1945-05-22

There was no general Squadron flying again today. SGT. Krysakowski flew however, to B.106 taking off at 1300 hours, and landed there at 1335, returning at 1410 hours, landing back from B.106 at B.113 Varrelbusch at 1445. Non operational hours 1.10. Sorties 2.

1945-05-23

There was no flying again today.

1945-05-24

At 1015 hours, F/L. Mickiewicz flew to B.56, landing there at 1145. In the afternoon, at 1415 hours, 12 aircraft carried out formation flying until 1530 hours, with the exception of one pilot, who landed at 12505 hours. W/C. Sawicz also flew formation from 1700 to 1830. Non operational hours 17.35. Sorties 14.

1945-05-25

VARRELBUSCH

Again formation flying from 1110 to 1220 and from 1120 to 1230, 12 aircraft taking part. Apart from the above sorties, there was no other flying today. Non operational hours 13.25. Sorties 12.

1945-05-26

F/Lt. Mickiewicz returned from B.56 today, taking off from that ‘drome at 1005 and landing back to base at 1115 hours. Non operational hours 1.10 Sorties 1.

1945-05-27

The Squadron took off early this morning, at 0715, formation, led by W/C. SAWICZ, and landed at 0840 hours. In the afternoon, G/Capt. GABSZEWICZ carried out some local flying from 1645 to 1730. Non operational hours 17.45 Sorties 13.

1945-05-28

There were two formation flights today, the first, carried out by 12 of the Squadron took place from 11.25 to 1225, and the second, carried out by seven aircraft only incl. S/L. Commanding, from 1555-1700. F/O. Semmerling and F/O. Filipowicz carried out local flying from 1610 hours to 1800 hours. Non operational hours 23.15. Sorties 21.

1945-05-29

Again today, formation flying from 1000 to 1100, carried out by 12 aircraft. Nextly four aircraft carried out practice flying, 1425 to 1525, 1430 to 1630, 1430 to 1540, and 1430 to 1540. Non operational hours 17.20 Sorties 16.

1945-05-30

There was no flying at all today.

1945-05-31

F/O. Jastrzebski flew to CAMBRAI, taking off at 1155 hours and landed at that ‘drome at 1325. Three aircraft took off at 1415 hours, flying to Lűbeck, landing there at 1600 hours. One aircraft at 1415 hours and one at 1515 hours took off on Cross Country flying, landing at base respectively at 1535 hours and 1620 hours. F/O. Jastrzebski carried out one 10-minute flight at CAMBRAI, and returned, taking off at that ‘drome at 1625 hours, and landing back at base at 1755 hours. Non operational hours 06.50 Sorties 8.

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