Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

THE DETAILS CONTAINED IN THIS FORM ARE GIVEN BY F/O. J.,A. NICHOLLS, Intelligence Officer No. 303 /Polish/ Squadron.

1945-01-01 D+209

Coltishall

Time: 12.45 – ARMED RECCO /Bombing target at HAGUE/LAMGENHORST/. 12 Spitfires IXF. led. by S/Ldr. B. H. DROBINSKI , D.F.C., airborne from base 12.45. Over target 13.20 – 13.35. landed 16.40. Crossed to KATWIJK 10.000 ft. south to HAGUE where target pinpointed. Bombing run made from north to south and estimated target received 10 direct hits with 500 lbs boms. One hit observed on runny. Biuldings on targets also hit. Large explosion noted. Landed B. 67 at 14.20 T. O. 15.25. Light and heavy intense accurate flak from target area. Weather: Target: 5/10 cumulus, base 6000 ft, tops 10.000 ft. Visibility very good. Route: 10/10, base 4000 ft, tops 6000 ft. Visibility good. Fog at base.
Time: 16.40 - P.704103 SGT. pilot. BISANZ L. while was landing in second formation of four on return from an ops flight made a three point landing, but had an impression that he landed rather heavily. He did not know that whilt landing his tail wheel was torn off and he stopped taxying only when he felt some heavy bumping of his aircraft. By this time the tail unit bas boom already extensively damaged. His aircraft Spitfire IXF. MA.763 was classified to “AC” cat, of damage. Forms 765C actioned.

1945-01-02 D+210

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather. Fog.

1945-01-03 D+211

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather. Fog.

1945-01-04 D+212

Coltishall

Time: 09.20 - WEATHER RECCO. 2 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. RZYSKI , airborne from base 09.20. Landed 10.30. Reached Dutch coast at Westhoofd , turned north along coast and back to base. Weather: Target: 10/10, base 1000 ft. tops 6000 ft. Visibility under cloud 2 miles. Sleeb showers. Route: Similar with tops at 10.000 ft. Clear 20 miles from English coast.
Time: 11.25 – ARMED RECCO 4 Spitfires IXF , led. by F/Lt. MALAROWSKI, airborne from base 11.25. Over target 12.15 – 12.40. Landed 13.25. In an HOMOND 12.000 ft. south to HAGUE, pinpointed at HAGUE/HUIS TE WERVE and straffed 5000 ft to 1500 ft. No results seen. Turned north and out an KAWIJK. Two a/c landed at BEGNIJES, refulled, and returned to base. Light moderate accurate flak from target area. Big Ben contrail reported by leader at 12.31. First seen at 8.000 ft, lost at 20.000 ft, A/c north – east of HAGUE. Second contrail reported at 12.51 whilst on way batch to base. Both appeared to be fire from the HAGUE area. Weather: Target: 5/10 cumulus, base 1500 ft, tops 15.000 ft. Visibility 5 miles. Route: 8/10 cumulus, base 1000 ft, tops 12.000 ft. Visibility good.
Time: 14.30 - ARMED RECCO 4 Spitfires IXF , led. by F/Lt. SZELESTOWSKI airborne from base 14.30. Over target 15.05 – 15.35. Landed 16.30. Crossed in at WESTHOOFD 12.000 ft, north to HAGUE. Pinpointed target at HAGUE/HAAGSCHE BOSCH and straffed. No result seen. Out at HATWIJK. Big Ben controll reported by leader 15.31 A/C at LEIDEN 10.000 ft. First reported at 15.30. at 3-4.000 f. Short and thick in shape. Rising vertically at great speed. Lost-at 25.000 ft. Appeared to came from HAGUE area. Weather: Target: clear. Visibility good. Route: 9/10, base 1000/2000 ft, gradually improving towards Dutch coast. Visibility good.

1945-01-05 D+213

Coltishall

Time: 08.45 - ARMED RECCO 4 Spitfires IXF , led. by F/Lt. S. SZPAKOWICZ airborne from Base 08.45. Over target 09.30-10.05. Landed 10.45. Crossed in WESTHOOFD, south to EGMOND, turned south along coast to HAGUE, crossed in and straffed target at HAGUE/HUIS TE WERVE. No result seen. Out at WESTHOOFD. Light moderate flak from DELF area. Big Ben contrail reported by leader at 09.23. A/c 10 miles west of HAGUE, 7000 ft, appeared to be fired from litreot area. Centrail lost at 20.000 ft. Weather: Target: 2/10 cloud, base 4000 ft, top 5000 ft, Visibility 10 miles. Rote: 5/10-10/10, base 2000 ft. Visibility good.
ARMED RECCO. 4 spitfires IXF, led. by F/Lt. BALAROWSKI, airborne from 13.00. Over target 13.40-13.55. Landed 14.30. Crossed in KATWIJK 10.000 ft, south to HAGUE and pinpointed target at HAGUE/LANGERKIRST and HAGUE/RUST EN VRENGD each being straffed by 2 aircraft from 6000 ft down to 2000 ft. No result seen. Out at HAGUE. Weather: Target: base 3000 feet, tops 12.000 ft. Visibility good.

1945-01-06 D+214

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather.

1945-01-07 D+215

Coltishall

Time: 14.00 – PATROL. 2 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. SZELESTOWSKI, scrambled from CHURCH FENTON 14.00. Landed 14.50. Church Fenton. Patrolled SFUNHEAD at 25.00 feet. Nothing seen. Weather: Clear. Visibility very good.

1945-01-08 D+216

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather.

1945-01-09 D+217

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather.

1945-01-10 D+218

Coltishall

Time: 08.55 – WEATHER RECCO. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. SZELESTOWSKI, airborne from base 08.55. Landed 10.05. Flew on course 095 deg. for approx. ¾ way to Dutch Coast. Abortive owing to adverse weather condition. Weather 10/10, cloud base 100-500 ft, tops 26.000 feet. Snow storms. Visibility nil in ahawers.

1945-01-11 D+219

Coltishall

No operational flying carried out. 8 a/c practiced formation and close battle. 12 a/c carried out air to ground firing used 1090 x 20 m/m – 7940 x 303 ball ammunitions. Weather conditions and visibility good.

1945-01-12 D+220

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying carried out owing to bad weather condition. 10/10 cloud, base 1000 ft, tops 16-17.000 ft. Visibility 1 mile.

1945-01-13 D+221

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather.

1945-01-14 D+222

Coltishall

Time: 13.55 – ARMED AND WEATHER RECCO. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. RZYSKI, airborne from base 13.55. Over target 14.30-14.50. Landed 15.40. Crossed in WESTHOOD 11.000 feet, north to HAGUE pinpointed and straffed target at HAGUE/HAAGSCHE BOSCH from 5000 ft down to 1000 ft. Strikes seen in wooded areas. Out at KAWIJK. Light and heavy inaccurate moderate flak from target area. Big Ben contrail reported by leader at 14.50. First seen aprox. 60 miles east of the HAGUE at 10.000 feet, lost in cloud. A/c at HAGUE proceeding north at 10.000 feet. Weather: Target: 4/10, base 1000 feet, tops 1500 ft. Another layers 2/10 cloud at 20.000 feet. Visibility 10 miles. Route: clear.
Time: 15.15 – SCRAMBLE TO INTERCEPT HOSTTLE A/C. 2 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. RZYSKI scrambled at 15.15. Landed 15.45. Climbed to 22.000 feet on vector 110 degs. Flew for 5 minutes on same vector. Recalled by controller. Nothing seen. Weather: Cloud 9/10, base 1000 feet, top 2000 ft. Visibility good.

1945-01-15 D+223

Coltishall

No operational flying. 45 sorties of air to air and ground firing carried out.

1945-01-16 D+224

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather.

1945-01-17 D+225

Coltishall

Time: 08.30 - ARMED RECCO. /Attack HOOK/ STAALDWIN BOSCH/ 3 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. S. SOCHA airborne from base 08.30. Landed 10.20. Abortive owing to adverse weather. Weather: 10/10 cloud, base unknown, top 6-8.000 feet.
Time: 11.00 – ARMED RECCO. /Attack HAGUE/LANGENHORST 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. MALAROWSKI , airborne from base 11.00. Landed 12.45. Abortive owing to weather. Crossed in north EGMOND above 10/10 cloud, south to HAGUE, then north, crossing out between IJMUIDEN and the HAGUE. At 11.38 a/c about 10 miles off EGMOND at 10.000 feet, sighted a V.2 contrail where appeared to originate about 40 miles inland off the HAGUE. Weather: Hague area: 10/10, tops 6000 feet, base unknown. Visibility 10 miles. Route: 6/10 cloud 2-6000 feet. Visibility 10 miles.
Time: 11.20 – ARMED RECCO. 2 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. FRANKIEWICZ, airborne from base 11.20. Landed 13.05. As detailed. One vessels /possibly “M” class mine sweeper/ seen position 5255N – 0503E stationary. No steam up. Shipping at DEN HOLDER as reported proviosly by 603 Squadron. Big Ben contrail seen at 11.38. A/c 4000 feet, 20 miles off English Coast. Appeared to came from to HAGUE area. Lost 15/20.000 feet. Weather: 4/10 at 4-8000 feet, layers of 9/10 16-20.000 feet. Visibility below cloud 10 miles. Route: 5/10 at 4-8000 feet. Visibility very good.
Time: 15.30 – ARMED RECCO. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. MAKSYMOWICZ , airborne from base 15.30. Over target 16.20. Landed 17.30. Crossed EGMOND 16.10, and straffed target HOOK of Holland /SAAKDUINE BOSCHE east to west. Good result were observed. Very heavy and light flak south west of target. Big Ben contrail seen on course 244°. Weather: Target: 1/10 cloud. Visibility 20 miles. Route: 8/10 - 6-9000 feet, improving near Dutch coast.

1945-01-18 D+226

Coltishall

Time: 09.40 - ARMED RECCO. /Attack HAGUE/RUSTEN VREUGD/ 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. SZELESTOWSKI, airborne from base 09.40. Landed 10.44. Abortive owing to adverse weather. Weather: Target: 10/10 top 3000 feet, base down to the desk. Route: 10/10, tops 3000 feet, base lifting to 1500 feet, English coast.

1945-01-19 D+227

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather.

1945-01-20 D+228

Coltishall

Time: 08.20 – ARMED RECCO, AND WEATHER RECCO. /Target HAGUE/HOOGSCHE BOSCH/ 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/LT. SZPAKOWICZ, airborne from base 08.20. Over target 09.10-09.20. Landed 09.50. Crossed in WESTHOOFD at 14.000 feet above cloud, turned north to HAGUE but area movered with 10/10 cloud. Out at HAGUE. V.2. contrail reported at 08.51. After flying 15 minutes on course 135°. It was rising vertically and lost at 20.000 feet. Appeared to by fired from the HAGUE area. Weather: Hague: 10/10, tops 14000 feet, base 3000 feet. Visibility 5 miles. Route: 9/10, tops 5000 feet, base 3000 feet improving towards English Coast.

1945-01-21 D+229

Coltishall

No operational or practise flying owing to very bad weather conditions. Weather: 10/10 cloud, at high 1.000 feet. Visibility 1 mile.

1945-01-22 D+230

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying to adverse weather. Snow.
P.2901 P/O. R. GORECKI and P.2917 P/O. Z. NOWINSKI posted from P.A.F. DEPOT wef. 201.45 Authi. H.Q. F.C. Signal P[Illegible]dated 16.1.45.

1945-01-23 D+231

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather. Snow. Films of the Polish Air Force shown in the dispersal and Matlask to all pilots by officer of the Polish Film Unit. Link trainer instruction.

1945-01-24 D+232

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather. Snow.

1945-01-25 D+233

Coltishall

No operational flying or practice is well owing to adverse weather. Cloud 10/10 with visibility 500 yards. Snow. Lecture of a/s rec and Flash trainer. Combat film at the Station Pilots section.

1945-01-26 D+234

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather. Snow.

1945-01-27 D+235

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to bad weather conditions. The weather is sill non operational. The lectures for all pilots on the R/T. Authorlifications code.

1945-01-28 D+236

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather condition. Weather: Cloud 10/10, top 2.000 feet. Visibility 1 mile.

1945-01-29 D+237

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to bad weather. Snow. Visibility 2 miles. Practice pegoon shooting in compilation with 603 Squadron. Practice revolver shooting on range in camp with 603. P.T. and games in camp with 603 Squadron.

1945-01-30 D+238

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather condition. Weather: 10/10 cloud, top unknown . Visibility 4 miles. W/Cmdr. G.P. KERR visited the station for the purpose of lecturing on the subject of Japan. All Pilots of this unit were attended to this lecture.

1945-01-31 D+239

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to very bad weather. Weather: 10/10 cloud with visibility about 2 miles. Squadron ½ hours combat training at Station Photographic Section. Link trainer instruction. P.T. and games with 603 Squadron.
Consolidated flying times for month ended 31.January 1945 is as stated: Operational hours on Spitfires IXF. 96.00. Operational hours on Spitfires VB 5 – NIL. Training hours on Spitfires IXF. 92. Training hours Spitfires IVB. 5.15. No night flying training were carried out owing to very bad weather condition and land field condition is well. Total: hours flown during whole month is 193.40 hours.

/-/ B.H. DROBINSKI
Squadron Leader, Commanding
No. 303 /Polish/ Squadron