Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1940-08-02

Northolt

The nucleus of No 303 (Polish) Squadron was formed from elements of No 1 Warsaw Squadron, commanded by Major Zdzislaw Krasnodebski, which had escaped after fighting in Poland and France and collected at Blackpool. Squadron Leader RG Kellett and Flight Lieutenant JA Kent, AFC, with a skeleton British staff, had been preparing for their arrival during the previous fortnight.
Thirteen Polish officers, eight NCO pilots and 135 Polish other ranks arrived on the 2nd August. The following is a list of the British and Polish officers and of the Polish N.C.O. pilots :)

Squadron Leader R.G. Kellett, Officer Commanding Squadron, Flight Lieutenant J.A. Kent, A.F.C., ‘A’ Flight, Pilot Officer, E.H.L. Hadwen, Acting Adjutant, Pilot Officer J. Walters, Interpreter.
Polish. Major Z. Krasnodebski, Officer Commanding Squadron, Captain W. Zyborski, Adjutant, Capt J. Giejsztowt, Signals, Captain Opulski (’B’ Flight Commander), Flying Officer Wiorkiewicz, Engineer.
‘A’ Flights F/O W. Urbanowicz, F/O W. Januszewicz, F/O Z. Henneburg, P/O J. Zumbach, P/O M. Feric, Sgt. S. Karubin, Sgt. E. Szaposznikow, Sgt. Wunche, Sgt. S. Wojtowicz, Sgt. J. Frantiszek, Sgt. K Krawczynski, Sgt. M Belc, Sgt. Gallus, F/O Paszkiewicz, F/O Lapkowski, P/O Daszewski, P/O Lokuciewski.

1940-08-03

Training commenced immediately, each pilot being taken on the link trainer and for 1 to 1½ hours in the Miles Master. Certain pilots went on the R/T course at Uxbridge. English lessons were arranged.

1940-08-04

Flight Lieutenant A.S. Forbes arrived to take command of ‘B’ Flight. Training continued as above, with some solo flights in Hurricanes.

1940-08-05

Training continued as above.

1940-08-06

As above.

1940-08-07

Training continued, dual now being finished.

1940-08-08

Training continued. Sgt. Belc crash landed with undercarriage down. Damage Cat 2. He was unhurt. He was taken off flying. Sgt Francisek crashed with undercarriage up and damaged airscrew and aircraft. He was unhurt and the damage Cat 2.

1940-08-09

Training continued, F/O L. Paszkiewicz damaged his airscrew in a taxying accident. He was unhurt and the damage Cat 1. Captain Opulski reported sick.

1940-08-10

Training continued. ‘A’ Flight began R.T. practise in the air. Pilot Officer D.A. Upton arrived and took over duties of Adjutant.

1940-08-11

Training continued.

1940-08-12

Training continued. Formation flying began. Sgt. Gallus crash landed with undercarriage up and was taken off flying.

1940-08-13

Formation flying continued. Sgt. Wojciechowski arrived and went to ‘B’ Flight.

1940-08-14

Formation flying continued. Seventeen Polish airmen arrived from Blackpool.

1940-08-15

Formation flying continued. Sgt. Wojciechowski slightly damaged his airscrew in a taxying accident. F/O Paszkiewicz and P/O Lokuciewski slightly damaged wing tips while taxying out.

1940-08-16

Formation flying continued. Sgt. Pilot L. Switon arrived and went to ‘B’ Flight.

1940-08-17

Formation flying continued. The Squadron was at Readiness For Action.

1940-08-18

Formation flying continued. Sgt. Krawczynski went sick and was put off flying for 14 days.

1940-08-19

Formation flying continued. Firing at Dengie Flats by the Squadron. Sgt. Rogowski arrived and went to ‘A’ Flight.

1940-08-20

Formation flying continued. Firing at Dengie Flats by the Squadron

1940-08-21

Training continued.
The following Pilots arrived from Blackpool F/Lt. S. Pietrakiewicz, F/O M. Pisarek, F/O Zak, F/O A. Gebrzynski, F/O B. Grzeszczak, P/O B. Mierzwa, P/O J. Radomski, Sgt. Pilot M. Brzozowski, Sgt. Pil. Andruszkow, Sgt. Pil. J. Kania, Sgt. Pil. K. Kowalski.
F/O W. Ubanswicz arrived also from No. 145 Squadron. He was appointed O.C. ‘A’ Flight. F/Lt. Pietrakiewicz was appointed O.C. ‘B’ Flight.

1940-08-22

Training continued. P/O Z. Wodecki, Medical Officer, arrived with two airmen Medical Orderlies.

1940-08-23

Training continued

1940-08-24

Whole Squadron operational by day. Training continued. At 1530 12 machines took off to patrol base. - At 1640 Squadron landed. No incident.

1940-08-25

Training continued.

1940-08-26

Training continued. Squadron, 12 machines, took off to patrol base at 1520 and landed 1535. No incident.

1940-08-27

Training continued. General Ujejski visited the Squadron.

1940-08-28

Training continued. Whole Squadron shot at Sutton Bridge.

1940-08-29

Training continued. ‘B’ Flight shot at Sutton Bridge.

1940-08-30

First operation. In the course of a training interception with six Blenheims in the afternoon ‘B’ Flight contacted with some 60 German bombers, 60 fighters and British fighters having a running battle near Hatfield. F/O Paszkiewicz brought down one Do. 17. (Destroyed) while the rest of the fighters escorted the Blenheims safely back to Northolt.
Appendices: Intelligence Patrol Report

1940-08-31

Second combat
Appendices: Intelligence Patrol Report