Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-05-01

Heston.

Weather 10/10 cloud and visibility 1 mile.
10.05
CIRCUS 293. 12 Spitfires VB led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski took off on Circus 293 as Escort to 12 Bostons which were to attack the Marshalling Yards at Cean. Rendezvous was made with the bombers at 10.30 at 500 feet and the formation flew at zero feet crossing the French coast near Bayeux and climbing to 11-12000 feet. Operations informed about presence of enemy aircraft probably above the cloud which observed the target area. Moderate flak was encountered over target. Formation left France and when about 10 miles out to sea operations warned of 12 enemy aircraft to the North East. No enemy aircraft seen at any time. English coast crossed at Selsey at 11.35 and all aircraft landed base 11.55. Weather: Channel and France, west of line Caen – Le Havre 4/10 at 2 – 4000 ft. East of this line 10/10 visibility good.
Raining flying: Formation and cine gun exercises, Sector recco and local flying.
Notification received of the award of Szebrny Krzyz Zaslugi (Silver Cross of Merit) to Sgt. C.E.F. Benzon, R.A.F.

1943-05-02

10/10 cloud visibility 2 miles – No flying.
P-781537 Sgt. Lawruszczuk W. Fitt. I, posted to No. 318 (Polish) Sqdn, a New Unit.
Some pilots attended the meeting held at the London Coliseum in commemoration of Polish National Day: Speakers The Rt. Hon. Sir John Anderson M.P. His Excellency Count E. Raczynski and Lieut. Gen. Dr. Marian Kukiel.

1943-05-03

6/10 cloud vis. 1/2 mile – fog and mist. Afternoon 4/10 cloud vis. 4 miles – sunshine.
No flying.
10.00
Squadron parade in commemoration of Polish National Day.
P-793363 Sgt. Ruczka Z. discharged from Hillingdon Hospital.

1943-05-04

0/10 cloud vis. 6 miles – sunshine.
18.10
Three Spitfires VB on Rescue Patrol off the coast near Manston at a height of 5,000 feet. Nothing to report and all aircraft down 19.30. Weather and vis. very good.
Training flying: Battle formation, interception, and local flying.

1943-05-05

10/10 cloud vis. 2 miles. No flying.
F/O J. Schmidt posted to No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth for instructor duties.
P-794502 LAC. Jelec J. Instr. Repr. Attached to No. 12 S. of T.T. for course on Remote Indicating Compasses.

1943-05-06

Heston.

10/10 cloud and visibility 2 miles.
Local flying only.
Lecture on aircraft recognition in preparation for Recognition test.
Twelve aircraft hands arrived from Polish Depot.

1943-05-07

Weather 0/10 cloud visibility 5 miles – sunshine.
13.20
One section on patrol convoy between Beachy Head and Dungeness, about 6 miles from the coast. Convoy consisted of 35 merchant vessels and 8 escort vessels. Patrol carried out at height of 4 – 7,000 feet. Weather and visibility good. Both aircraft down 15.20 – Nothing to report.
14.30
One further section on patrol the same convoy. Down 16.15.
15.30
Two Spit VB up to maintain patrol – landing 17.20 with nothing to report.
16.35
Another section continued to maintain the same patrol until 18.25.
17.40
One further section carried on the patrol for 2.10 hours landing 19.50
19.00
One section on same patrol landing 20.45.
19.50
The last section went on patrol over the same convoy landing 21.30. Nothing to report as had been the case during the whole of the patrol.
Training flying: Air firing and local flying.

1943-05-08

10/10 cloud – visibility 1 mile. No flying.
Lecture to pilots on aircraft recognition.

1943-05-09

10/10 cloud visibility 2 miles.
Training flying: Air firing.
Lecture given on Fighter nights.

1943-05-10

Little change in the weather – visibility being only 1 mile. No flying.
P-2203 P/O J. Kobylinski posted to this Unit for flying duties from D.I.G. Blackpool. This pilot before completing cadet course having flown with the Squadron as a Sergeant pilot.

1943-05-11

8/10 cloud visibility 1 mile.
Training flying: Local flying G.C.I. and navigation. Battle formation practice. Lecture on “Escape”.

1943-05-12

Weather 10/10 cloud visibility 3 miles.
Training flying: Navigation flying and sector recco. Formation and low flying.

1943-05-13

0/10 cloud visibility 4 miles – sunshine.
15.50
One section of 3 on Rescue patrol over Channel landing 17.20. Nothing to report.
11.30
S/Ldr. Bienkowski, the Commanding Officer, flying a Spitfire IX accompanied the Northolt Wing on Circus 295 – in the region of St. Omer – Abbeville. Landing 13.05.
15.25.
The Squadron Leader again flew with the Northolt Wing this time as Deputy Wing Leader – Circus 296. Near Abbeville Fortress’s which they were escorting were attacked from ahead by Me.109Gs. S/Ldr. Bienkowski with 2 pilots attacked the Me.s firing short bursts at one of them, and then returned to position as escort. F.W. 190 were then seen to attack the bombers from the left and S/Ldr. Bienkowski again drove then off. When returning to position two F.W. attacked from the rear. He took evasive action and then saw 3 F.W. on his right. One of these attacked and saw cannon bursts on the wings, which caused the F.W. to glide steeply down. S.Ldr. Bienkowski was then attacked from the rear and had to take evasive action himself and did not observe the result of his attack on the F.W. 1 F.W. claimed as damaged. The C.O landed at Northolt at 17.20.

1943-05-14

0/10th cloud vis. 3 miles sunshine.
12.00
4 aircraft led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski on rescue patrol over the Channel landing 13.34 an uneventful patrol.
Training flying: Cross country, local flying, aerobatics and cine gun practices.
Commancing day for the Fighter Command “Wings for Victory” week.

1943-05-15

HESTON

0/10 vis. 3 miles – sunshine.
16.05
CIRCUS 297. 12 Spitfires VB led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski took off as Escort cover to 6 Mitchells which were to bomb Caen aerodrome. The formation left the English coast at 16.30 hours at Selsey Bill arriving over the target area at 16.42 and bombs were seen to burst in the target area. Some enemy aircraft were seen. The High cover wing being attacked by 9 F.Ws. one of which broke through to attack the bombers and F/O Kolecki opened fire but from between 500-700 yards. No results seen. F/O Radomski and Sgt. Dabrowski both returned early owing to technical faults, the remainder of the aircraft landing at 18.00 hrs. Weather and visibility exceptionally good.
09.00
One section on convoy patrol over 37 vessels of the English coast near Brighton. Height 2000 feet and landing 10.55. Nothing to report.
Training flying: Aerobatics, cine gun practices and formation flying.
Eight aircraft and pilots on night readiness for Fighter nights.

1943-05-16

0/10 cloud vis. 5 miles – sunshine.
12.05
One section on Rescue patrol off Dungeness at height of 5,000 feet.
12.10
S/Ldr. Bienkowski took off to join the previous section of rescue patrol, all landing at 13.15. Nothing to report.
16.35
12 Spitfires VB led by F/Lt. Retinger took off as Escort Cover to 6 Mitchells attacking the aerodrome at Caen. Circus 298. The target was reached at 17.32, but no bombing results were seen. 5 F.Ws. seen near the target but they did not attack. French coast was recrossed at Ouistercham where considerable flak was experienced. All aircraft landed 18.24. Weather and visibility good.
Training flying: Cross country, formation flying and attacks.
Night readiness.

1943-05-17

Weather 0/10 cloud visibility 2 miles – sunshine. Later 3/10 cloud vis. 1 mile.
10.35
Three aircraft on rescue patrol in the region of Selsey Bill at a height of 5,500 feet. All aircraft landed 12.05 with nothing to report. 0/10 cloud visibility very good.
16.25
One flight of 6 aircraft led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski scrambled to patrol south west of base. Patrol maintain for 50 mins. but no interception made and nothing to report.
Training flying: Local flying and sector recco.
Night readiness.
P-793391 Sgt. Chmielewski W. Flight Engineer posted to the Squadron on completion of course for duty as Fitt. II pending posting on aircrew duties.

1943-05-18

0/10 clouds vis. 3 miles – sunshine. 3/10 visibility 1 mile.
14.30
4 Spitfires VB led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski on Rescue patrol over Channel. Weather and vis. good. Nothing of any moment and all aircraft down 16.00
Training flying: Cross country, practice attacks on bombers, cine gun exercises and local flying.
Night readiness in connection with Fighter Nights.

1943-05-19

Weather 0/10 cloud – visibility 5 miles – sunshine.
08.30
One section on Convoy patrol over convoy consisting of 27 vessels proceeding up Channel and being then about 3 – 4 miles from the Coast. Weather and visibility good. Landing 10.15.
09.30
One further section on patrol the same convoy. Landing 11.35.
10.45
Again patrol the same convoy – then off Brighton. Landing 12.35.
11.40
Similar patrol with nothing to report – landing 13.40
12.40
One section maintaining the same patrol – landing 14.30
13.40
Do. do. - landing 15.35
14.50
Do. do. - landing 16.45
15.55
Do. do. - landing 16.50
16.00
The last patrol took off to complete the day’s convoy protection, landing at 17.30 and having nothing to report.
Training flying: Cross country, sector recco. Local flying and nothing flying training.
Night readiness.

1943-05-20

2/10 cloud visibility 5 miles – sunshine.
07.05
One section on patrol over one vessel in the region of Selsey Bill at height of 3000 feet. Nothing to report and down 08.40
07.50
One section scrambled on patrol in the region of Manston at a height of 12-14,000 feet. Weather and visibility good. Both aircraft down 09.50.
12.00
Three aircraft on Rescue Patrol in the region of Dungeness at a height of 5000 feet. Weather 2/10 cloud visibility 12 miles – sunshine. All aircraft down 13.15 after entirely uneventful patrol.
Training: Formation, cine gun practices, sector recco and cross country.
Night readiness.

1943-05-21

HESTON

3/10 cloud visibility 2 miles – sunshine. Afternoon 0/10 vis. 5 miles.
Training flying only: Aerobatics, Formation and cine gun practices.
Air Ministry A.M.P.L. 385A/43 dated 1st May 1943 showed promotion of undermentioned Officers to the Permanent War Rank of Flying Officer GD. Branch.
P-1119 P/O A. JENIK wef. 17.12.42
P-1949 P/O B. Bialecki wef. 1.1.43.
F/O S. Podobinski admitted to R.A.F. Hospital Cosford on 13.5.43. and Sgt. A. Rokitnicki on 17.5.43 for medical examination, and now posted to R.A.F. Station Northolt non-effective.

1943-05-22

2/10th cloud visibility 4 miles sunshine. Later 8/10 vis. 2 miles. slight rain
Training flying: Formation, local flying, practice attacks and cine gun exercises.
Night readiness.

1943-05-23

0/10 vis. 3 miles sunshine.
11.45
CIRCUS 302. 12 Spitfires VB led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski left Redhill to form Close Escort to the second of two boxes of six Venturas attacking Zeebrugge Power Station. Rendezvous was made on time at Bradwell with 12 Venturas and other Spitfire Squadrons. At appointed time Beehive climbed and made landfall at Blakenberghe flying at 12,000 feet. From there to target moderately heavy flak at varying heights. Over target area at 12.26. Bombs were seen to burst on target and near target area. No enemy aircraft seen. Formation turned left after bombing and returned to North Foreland. All aircraft landed base 1322. Weather clear over Channel. 7/10 cloud over Belgian coast.
13.25
F/O S. Socha on patrol at 5-6000 feet over convoy consisting of 15 merchant vessels and 2 escort vessels of Beachy Head. Nothing to report and down 15.35. Weather and visibility good.
15.30
One section on patrol over the same convoy landing 17.05.
16.20
One further section on same patrol landing 18.05, after uneventful patrol.
Training flying: G.C.I., formation and local flying.

1943-05-24

10/10 cloud – visibility 2 miles. Rain. No flying either training or operational.
P/O J. Kobylinski admitted to S.S.Q.
P-793412 Sgt. Fitt. I. Frycze R. attache for 2 weeks course to Rolls Royce Derby.

1943-05-25

HESTON

1/10 cloud visibility 4 miles – sunshine.
Training flying: G.C.I. Airfiring and formation flying.
10.05
CIRCUS 304. 12 Spitfires VB led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski took off from Heston and joined 411 Sqdn over Redhill. Both Squadrons made rendezvous with 6 Mitchells at Bexhill 10.30 and took up position as Escort Cover. They climbed to Le Crotoy (12,000 feet) with 7/10 – 8/10 cloud below. This cloud obscured the target (Abbeville aerodrome) which was not located. Squadron crossed into France slightly North of Le Treport and zig-zagged round to Abbeville. Accurate moderate flak North of Abbeville and one Mitchell was seen to explode like “a ball of fire” No enemy aircraft seen. The Squadron came out over Rue and back over Hastings – landing at Base 11.50.
10.20
One aircraft on Rescue Patrol off the coast between Bexhill and Hastings at height of 6-7000 feet, landing 12.05.

1943-05-26

5/10 cloud Visibility 3 miles – sunshine. Later 10/10 vis. 7 miles.
12.45
Six aircraft led by F/Lt. Retinger took off to patrol the coast between Beachy Head and Tangmere at heights from 0 ft – 1000 ft as defence against “tip and run” raiders. No enemy aircraft seen and aircraft returned to base 14.05. Weather and vis. good.
13.15
S/Ldr. Bienkowski took off to join “B” Flight on its patrol along the coast landing back at base with the other aircraft.
Training: Formation and cloud flying – combat practices.

1943-05-27

Weather 2/10 cloud. Visibility 4 miles. Afternoon 6/10 cloud – vis. 6 miles – sunshine.
Training flying: D.C.I. and local flying.
12.45
Ten Spitfires VB took off and escorted one Liberator in to land at Northolt. All aircraft down 14.00

1943-05-28

1/10 cloud visibility 5 miles – sunshine. Afternoon 6/10 vis. 7 – 9 miles.
13.30
One section on Patrol over convoy consisting of 24 vessels sailing off Selsey Bill about 6 – 8 miles from the coast. Patrol carried out at height of 3 – 5000 feet. Both aircraft down 15.20. Weather and visibility good.
14.20
One further section continued the same patrol and cover was provided over this convoy until 20.35 when the last section landed at base. Sections took off during the day at 15.15 – landing 17.00. 16.15 – landing 17.50. 1700 – landing 18.50. 17.55 – landing 19.35. 18.40 – landing 20.35 and 19.30 landing 20.35. Nothing to report during the whole of the time cover was provided.

1943-05-29

4/10 cloud – visibility 6 miles – sunshine.
15.05
Four Spit. VB led by F/Lt. Retinger “scrambled” to patrol in the region of Hastings – Brighton at a height of 1000 feet. No interception made and aircraft down 16.25 with nothing to report.
15.10
One further section took off to join the four aircraft already on patrol and landing with then at 16.25. Uneventful.
Training flying: Cine gun exercises, Formation flying and aerobatics.
Notification received that Squadron would move on 1st June 1943 to R.A.F. Northolt and would take over the Spit. IX and VB aircraft of 315 Squadron. Preparations for move in hand.

1943-05-30

Weather 3/10 cloud visibility 4 miles – sunshine.
05.35
“B” Flight, six Spit. VB on patrol Brighton – Hastings at a height of approx. 50 feet. No interception made and nothing to report apart from the fact that the aircraft flown by P/O Belza began to smoke (believed to be bad internal glycol leak) and then caught fire. He managed to force land, with undercarriage retracted, in a field near Friston, and to escape before the machine was completely destroyed by fire. All other aircraft returned to base 07.00 hours. Weather and visibility bad.
21.05
One section led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski on Convoy patrol over 18 vessels in the region of Beachy Head at a height of 5,000 feet. Weather and visibility good.

1943-05-31

3/10 cloud visibility 4 miles. sunshine.
10.40
CIRCUS 308. 10 Spitfires VB led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski took off from Heston at 10.40 as Escort cover to 12 Venturas attacking Caen aerodrome. Rendezvous was made at 10.58 over Selsey and after 15 mins. at sea level the Beehive climbed reaching target at 11.31, with this Unit at 11,000 feet. Flak over the target was intense at various heights, but no enemy aircraft were seen. Nothing further to report and all aircraft landed at base 12.22. Weather over Channel and France 3 – 4/10 at 8,000 feet.
15.00
Eight Spitfires VB took off and landed at Bradwell Bay as forward aerodrome for Circus 309.
17.00
CIRCUS 309. 8 Spitfires VB led by S/Ldr. Bienkowski took off from Bradwell as escort cover to 12 Venturas bombing Zeebrugge coke overs. Rendezvous was made on time over Bradwell. Landfall was made over Zeebrugge with this Squadron then flying at 13,000 feet. Bombers attacked on a North – South run and left Belgian coast west of Blankenberghe. No enemy aircraft were seen but intense light flak in layers which began before the coast was reached was encountered. Results of bombing not seen. Weather Channel and Belgium Clear except slight very high cloud. All aircraft landed at base 18.25.
Squadron retained state of 30 mins. until dark with instructions to be at readiness at Northolt 09.00 on 1st June.

Retinger F/Lt.
For Squadron Leader Commanding,
No. 303 (Polish) Squadron.