Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-07-01

NORTHOLT

17.30. Bomber escort over France – all aircraft returned safely. Northing special to report.

1941-07-02

NORTHOLT

11.50. Bomber escort from Martlesham. No opposition was met until the target was reached – then a sorties of dog fighting developed. Some aircraft stayed with the bombers and others became involved with the fighters. F/Lt. Kolaczkowski attacked two Me’s who were at attacking the bombers; one was destroyed by the Blenheim and the other by F/Lt. Kolaczkowski. F/O Zumbach shot down 1 Me in flame and damaged others. P/O Lipinski attacked and probably destroyed another Me.109. Sgt. Wojciechowski was wounded in the shoulder but returned to Martlesham suffering from loas of olood. It tramspired later that he had shot down one Me.109 in a series of dog fights. S/Ldr. Lapkowski was missing from this operation and it was thought that he had collided with another Spitfire belonging to Sgt. Gorecki. This transpiree to be incorrect for Gorecki was picked up three days later after 74 hours in Channel. There has been no further news of S/L. Lapkowski.

1941-07-03

NORTHOLT

Two sorties over France. In the second ten Spitfires took part / this being the total muster of serviceable aircraft oving to the previous days casualties / for a free sweep over the target area. Dunkirk – St. Omer. W/Cdr. Kent and P/O Drobinski both dived out of the formation – each secured a 109 and returned to base individually
F/Lt Kolaczkowski [ assumed ] command of “A” Flight.

1941-07-04

NORTHOLT

A heavy day, including an uneventful operational trip, convoy patrols, night flying practice and variety of aircraft tests. Nothing extraordinary to report.

1941-07-05

NORTHOLT

An uneventful patrol and various forms of training made up another busy but unexciting day.

1941-07-06

NORTHOLT

In the morning the Squadron acted as top cover for 3 Stirlings. One of our formations / 4 aircraft / were attacked by three 109s. Three pilots fired at one of these became detached, and it was claimed as probably destroyed. Later the S quadron proceeded to Merston and operated from there. They acted as a free patrol over the target area / Lille /, but spart from seeing the results of some effective bombing there was nothing to report. Enemy aircraft were not in evidence.

1941-07-07

NORTHOLT

On another morning of escort operations, the Squadron took up position as near cover and reported nothing except not very accurate bombing. Further operations were quite uneventful.

1941-07-08

NORTHOLT

12 aircraft left at 1430 hours to act as escort cover to three Stirlings. Just before reaching Lille Mes started a series of attacks. F/O Strzembosz wheeled out of one formation and was not seen again. On the return these attacks continued and Sgt. Giermer managed to turn inside one of the attackers and destroy it the pilot being seen to bale out. Giermer was himself attacked however and wounded, However he managed to return to Manston – escorted by P/O Lipinski Near Dunkirk S/L. Arentowicz was heard on the R/T calling for assistance and saying he was going down – but he was not seen by the rest of the Squadron.

1941-07-09

NORTHOLT

One uneventful sweep patrol over the Channel – nothing to report.

1941-07-10

NORTHOLT

An uneventful escort operation from West Malling. S/Ldr Jankiewicz [ assumed command …].

1941-07-11

NORTHOLT

Two sorties – first in the morning from Redhill and in the afternoon from Martlesham. In the morning F/O Lokuciewski gained a probable – but the weather made confirmation impossible. The afternoon escort was not productive of results.

1941-07-12

NORTHOLT

At 0933 the Squadron left for France as escort cover. Fighter attacks by small formation developed, but without much result. P/O Drobinski vel behind the Squadron with engine trouble and Sgt. Adamek stayed with him. Sgt. Adamek shot down a 109E which was attacking his leader. This was the last operational flight of the Squadron before leaving Northolt for Speke Liverpool, Whene the nest flying to the Squadron took place.

1941-07-13

NORTHOLT

Sgt. Turzanski posted to No. 307 Squadron.

1941-07-14

NORTHOLT

Advance rail party arrived at Speke on movement of Squadron to rest. F/O Szyszkowski arrived from No. 58 O.T.U.

1941-07-15

NORTHOLT

Mail rail party arrived at Speke. F/O Gierzod posted to R.A.F. Polish Depot Blackpool.

1941-07-16

NORTHOLT

Air party, delayed owing to weather, arrived at Speke.

1941-07-17

SPEKE

Slight practice flying and sector reconnaissance. On change over to Hurricane I.

1941-07-18

SPEKE

Formation practice and sector recco. Sgt Gorecki reported on being posted from Northolt on ceasing to non-effective.

1941-07-19

SPEKE

Formation practice and sector recco.

1941-07-20

SPEKE

Training flying. Sgt. Czezowski attached from 57 O.T.U. for training. F/Lt. Kolodynski posted from 81 Group for Operations Room duties.

1941-07-21

SPEKE

A little practice and the first patrol from Speke. One section did a convoy patrol with nothing to report.

1941-07-22

SPEKE

Formation and landing practice.

1941-07-23

SPEKE

As above.

1941-07-24

SPEKE

Formation and dog fighting training – considerable activity.

1941-07-25

SPEKE

As above. Two sections did a peculiar patrol which ended in Lincolnshire – without apparent reason or concrete result.

1941-07-26

SPEKE

Formation practice was the days main event.

1941-07-27

SPEKE

As above. P/O Daszuta posted to No. 306 Squadron.

1941-07-28

SPEKE

As aobove. Sgt. Slowikowski and Sgt. Warchal posted from 55 O.T.U. for training.

1941-07-29

SPEKE

A continuous patrol by sections over a convoy produced no results.
Sgt. Okroj posted from No. 55 O.T.U. for training.

1941-07-30

SPEKE

A few scattered patrols by sections were uneventful.

1941-07-31

SPEKE

Two pilots attached to No. 3 Delivery flight Hawarden.