Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-02-01

NORTHOLT

No flying – bad weather.

1942-02-02

NORTHOLT

The same. F/Lt. Drummond, Education Officer, posted to R.A.F. Blackpool. P/O Marsh posted in as Education Officer.

1942-02-03

NORTHOLT

No flying.

1942-02-04

NORTHOLT

Training flying – cross country and formation.

1942-02-05

NORTHOLT

Formation and cine camera training. Four pilots did night flying training.

1942-02-06

NORTHOLT

Cross country and low flying. Five pilots carried out ZZ landings.

1942-02-07

NORTHOLT

Still a great deal of ice on the aerodrome and the weather unsuitable for operational flying. Low flying training and some air firing at P.P. target. P/O Marciniak damaged one undercarriage leg when coming in to land and had to land with u/c up. P/O Lobarzewski forced landed with engine trouble at Benson.

1942-02-08

NORTHOLT

A break in the weather in the afternoon, the ice commencing to go. Practice formation and squadron attacks. Some pilots carried out dusk landings. Ground mist after the warmer afternoon prevented the carrying out of the night flying programme. P/O Gladych attached to No. 10 Group for Intelligence advanced training.

1942-02-09

NORTHOLT

Extremely heavy ground mist throughout the day prevented flying.

1942-02-10

NORTHOLT

An improvement in the weather enabling some flying to take place. Wing formation, cloud flying and squadron combat. P/O Szelestowski and Sgt. Rutecki posted from No. 58 OTU Grangemouth.

1942-02-11

NORTHOLT

No flying.

1942-02-12

NORTHOLT

Poor visibility but some P.P firing practice at the Shoreham range. The Squadron patrolled over the Channel for two hours at height of 3,000 feet providing cover for M.T.Be. in connection with attacks on Scharnhorst, Guiesnau & Princ Eugen which were proceeding up Channel – No combats.

1942-02-13

NORTHOLT

Great improvement in the weather except for strong gusty wind. All Squadrons called to readiness at 10.50 for operational patrol over Channel – Nothing to report. F/Sgt. Popek damaged his aircraft on landing due to being thrown on to one oleo leg by cross wind.

1942-02-14

NORTHOLT

A fatal accident in the morning. F/O M. Feric on his first flight since being N.E. dived into the taxi track near the Squadron dispersal. It seemed that part of the wing broke away and it swung round breaking off the tail of the aircraft at approximately 5000 feet and the aircraft dived straight into the ground to a depth of about 6 feet. The Squadron took off on practice escort for Hudson bombers. F/O Bienkowski attached to No. 11 Group for 4 days on observer in Home defence exercise.

1942-02-15

NORTHOLT

Heavy ground mist prevented flying.

1942-02-16

NORTHOLT

Not very good visibility, but Squadron ordered to scramble at 10.10 for practice interception. Further practice scramble for interception in the afternoon.

1942-02-17

NORTHOLT

Preparation and presentation by A.O.C. of Distinguished Service Order to W/Cdr. Rolski, of the Polish Wing at Northolt. No flying.

1942-02-18

NORTHOLT

Weather fit only for local flying visibility being poor.

1942-02-19

NORTHOLT

Funeral of F/O M. Feric, V.M., K.W., D.F.C. and one Sergeant pilot of No. 316 Squadron who was killed in a flying accident whilst on patrol. Training flying cine camera and low flying.

1942-02-20

NORTHOLT

Weather not particulary good, but operational. Rhubard operation by the Wing at 10.15. Two aircraft from each Squadron. This Unit’s aircraft were detailed to attack on aerodrome at the Le Trepourt but were unable to identify it. They however attacked good trains and transport. One pilot of 316 forced landed in the Channel and was reported missing.

1942-02-21

NORTHOLT

Poor visibility and slight snow. Sgt. Adamek posted to Northolt N.E. on admission to hospital.

1942-02-22

NORTHOLT

Air firing programme in Group Competition cancelled owing to weather. Local flying – attacks interception low flying etc.

1942-02-23

NORTHOLT

One pilot only firing in the Group Competition at Shoreham. Weather curtailing programme. F/O Kolodynski reported for flying duties on ceasing to non-effective.

1942-02-24

NORTHOLT

Four pilots fired in Group competion. Training flying – co-operation with Observer Corps. Sgt. Gorny posted to Northolt N.E. on admission to Hospital.

1942-02-25

NORTHOLT

Training flying – formation sector recco, lowing flying and cross country.

1942-02-26

NORTHOLT

Weather prevented flying.

1942-02-27

NORTHOLT

Bad weather in morning prevented flying – Squadron readiness in afternoon.

1942-02-28

NORTHOLT

Ramrod operation – Bomber escort. The Squadron was part of close escort for 6 Blenheims sent of at 15.55 to attack submarines in dock at Ostende. Very heavy A.A. fire encountered. Some Me. 109s sighted but no attacks made on our formation or the bombers. Two pilots of 316 Squadron /high cover/ missing. Squadron returned intact at 15.25.