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.

1945-02-01 D+240

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather conditions. One hour Aircraft Recognition lecture to all Pilots of this Unit at Squadron´s Dispersal.

1945-02-02 D+241

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to bad weather. Weather: Cloud 10/10 at height 1500 feet, tops unknown. Visibility 3 miles. Tolk by Cpt. EVANS, A.L.O. on Anti Diver /VI/ Defences.

1945-02-03 D+242

Coltishall

Time: 09.45. – ESCORT TO 2 MUSTANGS PHOTOGRAPHIC V2 SITES AT THE HAGUE. Two Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. E. BARTYS, airborne from base at 09.45. One Spitfire landed at base 16.25. Escorted one Mustang to HAGUE, contact with second Mustang lost. Spitfires patrolled 5 miles of the HOOK and waited for Mustangs. Glinco 22/F/Lt. E. BARTYS developed engine trouble and landed safely at GHENT at 10.50. Received suspected false emergency vector 110° from KENWAY whilst at the HOOK which was challeanged with scramble Code. Kenway replied did not understand message, then stranger voice gave vector 230°. V2 contrail reported at 10.15 by leader after flying half hour an vector 111° appeared to be fired from then HAGUE. Weather: Target: 2/10 cumulus, base 7000 ft. Visibility 10 miles. Route: similar, hazy. Visibility 5 miles.
Time: 11.50. – ESCORT TO HALIFAX PATROLLING LINE 5115N 0430E 5160N 0540E. Blue section /4 Spitfires IXF/ led. by F/Lt. FRANCKIEWICZ, airborne from base 11.50. Landed 17.20. Section led. by. F/O ZDANOWSKI, airborne 13.20. Landed 18.05. Green section led. by S/Ldr. DROBINSKI, D.F.C., airborne 14.50. Landed 17.21. Blue and red sections carried out patrols with Halifax at se refuelled at B.67 /URSEL/ Green section contacted Halifax at southerly and of patrol line and escorted to OSTEND. V2 contrail reported by Blue Leader at 13.12. A/C between ANTVERP and NIJMEGEN 20.000 ft. Appeared to be fired from the HAGUE. Weather: Patrol line: 4/10, base 2-3.000 ft, tops 4-5.000 ft. Visibility 10 miles.

1945-02-04 D+243

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather. A/F unserviceable. Weather: cloud 10/10, misty. Visibility ½ miles.

1945-02-05 D+244

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather. Tolk to Pilots on R.S.R. by F/O. J.A. NICHOLLS, Intelligence Officer. Practice pigeon shooting.

1945-02-06 D+245

Coltishall

Time: 12.20. – ESCORT TO 2 MUSTANGS PHOTOGRAPHIC V2 SITES AT THE HAGUE. Two Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. MALAROWSKI, airborne from base 12.20. Landed 14.15. Escorted Mustangs to HAGUE. Photographs taken before and after bombing. Escorted back to base. Maintained constant contact. Heavy moderate inaccurate flak from the HAGUE. Weather: Clear. Visibility 10 miles. Route: 9/10 cloud in layers. Base 4000 ft. Misty.
Time: 16.10. – SCRAMBLE TO ESCORT FORTRESS IN DISTRESS. Two Spitfires IXF led. by F/O. MAKSYMOWICZ, airborne from base 16.10. Landed 16.45. Vectored 110 degrs. For 25 miles. Recalled by Controller as Fortress had landed safely.

1945-02-07 D+246

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to adverse weather condition. Weather: 10/10, cloud at height 2-3000 ft. Visibility 2 miles.

1945-02-08 D+247

Coltishall

ARMED AND WEATHER RECCO. /V2. site at HAGUE/ 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. S.SOCHA, airborne from base 08.00.. Over target 08.25-08.55. Landed 09.50. Crossed in WESTHOOFD 10000 ft. North to HAGUE., pinpointed target and strafed from 6.000 ft down to deck by 3 aircraft. Leader unable jettison tank. Strikes observed in wooded area. Out south of HAGUE. V.2 contrail reported at 09.00 hrs after 5 minutes flying from the HAGUE area. Weather: Cloud 9/10, base 11.000-12.000 feet. Tops 14.000 ft. Visibility 5 miles. Route: Cloud 9/10, base lowering in patches to 3000 ft towards English Coast. Mist at base.
Time: 11.30. – ESCORT TO HALIFAX PATROLLING LINE 5100N 0430E 5135N 0320E. Blue section /4 Spitfires IXF/ led. by F/Lt. MALAROWSKI, airborne from base 11.30. Landed 14.00. Green section /4 Spitfires IXF/ led. by. F/Lt. S. SOCHA, airborne 12.10. Landed 14.45. Blue section R/V at NOORDERHOOFD 20.000 feet. Halifax 20 miles late. Patrol carried out as planned. Green section relieved. Blue section and patrolled as planned. Blue leader reported V2 contrail at 12.00 hrs. Aircraft 10 miles NW NORDERHOOFD 20.000 ft. Appeared to be fired from the HAGUE. First seen at 6000 ft. lost in cloud at 30.000 ft. Weather: Cloud 10/10, base unknown, tops 30.000 ft. Route: similar, base 500 ft, misty.

1945-02-09 D+248

Coltishall

Time: 11.45. – ESCORT TO HALIFAX PATROLLING LINE 5115N 0425E 5155N 0412E. Red section /3 Spts. IXF/ led. by F/Lt. SZELESTOWSKI, airborne from base 11.45. Landed base 17.35. Blue section /4 Spitfires IXF/ led. by. F/Lt. FRANCKIEWICZ, airborne from base 12.40. Landed base 18.10. White section led. by F/Lt. MALAROWSKI /2 Spitfires IXF/, airborne from base 13.45. Landed base 16.35. Green section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by F/Lt. RZYSKI, airborne from base 14.40. Landed base 17.20. Patrols carried out as planned at 20.000 feet. Red 3 landed B.70. /ANTVERP/ 14.00 hrs safely with engine trouble. Not yet returned. Red 1 and 2 landed at GHENT at 14.15. to refuel. T.O. 16.30. Blue section landed URSEL 15.00 and refuelled T.O. 15.45. and resumed escort with Halifax until recalled by Controller. Weather: Cloud 5/10, in patches, tops 6000 ft. Visibility 10-15 miles.

1945-02-10 D+249

Coltishall

Time: 11.50. – ESCORT TO HALIFAX PATROLLING LINE 5115N 0425E 5155N 0412E. Blue section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by P/O. MARTENS, airborne from base 11.50. Landed URSEL with engine trouble. Red section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by. F/Lt. SZELESTOWSKI, airborne 12.50. Landed base 17.45. /One aircraft only/ Green section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by W/O. BARTKOWIAK, airborne from base 13.50. Landed 15.15. Blue section landed safely at URSEL. Red section R/V with Halifax, escorted and landed at URSEL 15.15. Red 2 damaged prop. Red 1 T.O. 16.45. recalled to base from patrol line by controller before contacting Halifax. Weather: Patrol line clear, ground haze. Route: 10/10 cloud, tops 13.000 feet.
Time: 14.00 – ARMED RECCO. /Target: HAGUE/VOORDE/ Three Spitfires IXF. led. by S/Ldr. B.H. DROBINSKI, D.F.C., airborne from base 14.00. Over target 14.45-15.05. Landed base 16.05. Crossed in WESTHOOFD north to HAGUE, pinpointed target and strafed NE to SW from 6000 to 2000 feet. Strikes seen in wooded area. Weather: Hague area clear. Visibility 30 miles. South of HAGUE cloud 7/10, ground mist. Route: Clear -half way across channel then 10/10 cloud to English Coast-top 8000 feet, base 2000 ft. Mist and rain.

1945-02-11 D+250

Coltishall

Time: 09.25. – WEATHER RECCO. Two Spitfires IXF. led. by F/O. M. MAKSYMOWICZ, airborne from base 09.25. Landed 09.40. Abortive owing to technical /R/T/ trouble.

1945-02-12 D+251

Coltishall

No operational flying or practice either owing to adverse weather condition. Weather: cloud 10/10, cloud at height 1500ft. Visibility 1 miles. Rain.

1945-02-13 D+252

Coltishall

No operational flying owing to adverse weather. Weather just the same as it was previous day.

1945-02-14 D+253

Coltishall

Time: 13.15. – ARMED RECCO. /Target HAGUE/RUST EN VREUGD/. 12 Spitfires IXF. led. by S/Ldr. B.H. DROBINSKI, D.F.C., airborne from base 13.15. Over target 13.55-14.10. Landed 17.05. Crossed in north of HAGUE 11.000 ft, target pinpointed and bombed S to N from 3000-4000 ft. 11 burst observed in target area. 9 in a cluster. Two buildings left on fire, covering target with smoke. Belived on hang up bomb jettisoned in sea. Out north of HAGUE. Landed URSEL 14.50. T.O. 16.00 hrs. Moderate heavy inaccurate flak from the target area. Weather: Target? 10/10 cloud in patches and layers. Base 9000 ft, tops 12.000 ft. Visibility 15 miles. Ground mist south of HAGUE. Route: 3/10-4/10, tops 12.000 ft, base 6-7.000 feet, misty.
1945-02-15 D+254
Coltishall
Time: 13.10. – – ESCORT TO HALIFAX PATROLLING 51.15N 0430E 51.51N 05.40E. Red section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by F/O. ZDANOWSKI, airborne from base 13.10. Landed 15.50. Blue section /2 a/c/ led. by. Sgt. JANICKI, airborne from base 13.45. Landed 16.20. Yellow section 2 aircraft led. by F/LT. FRANCKIEWICZ , airborne from base 14.30. Landed 17.00. Black section /2 a/c/ led. by P/O. MARTENS, airborne from base 15.15. Landed 17.05. Red, Blue and Yellow sections escorted Halifax as planned. Yellow and Black sections recalled owing to adverse weather. V2 contrail reported by Blue section’s Leader at 14.45. Appeared to be fired from the HAGUE area. Weather: Target: 10/10 cloud, tops 6000ft, base 2000 ft. Visibility above cloud unlimited. Route: Clear from half way across Channel to English Coast. Misty.

1945-02-16 D+255

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to fog. A film “JAPAN AND ITS PEOPLE” seen by Squadron at Station cinema.

1945-02-17 D+256

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying owing to fog. Russiam aircraft and Flash Trainer instruction by Squadron Inelligence Officer. Practice rifle and revolver firing at Station range.

1945-02-18 D+257

Coltishall

No operational or practice flying carried out owing to adverse weather. Weather 10/10 cloud. Visibility 200 yards. Fog. Practice day pigeon shooting.

1945-02-19 D+258

Coltishall

Time: 12.45. – ESCORT TO HALIFAX PATROLLING 51.15N 04.50E 51.50N 05.40E. Blue section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by F/Lt. SZPAKOWICZ, airborne from base 13.30. Landed base15.20. Red section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by. F/Lt. BARTYS, airborne from base 12.10. Landed base 15.10. Blue section R/V with Halifax 20.000 ft on E.T.A. Escorted for 20 minutes then recalled owing to adverse weather. Red section recalled before making contact. Blue section reported V2 contrail at 13.53. and Red section at 14.15 A/c at 20.000 feet between ANTVERP and NIJMEGEN. Appeared to be fired from the HAGUE. Weather: 10/10 cloud in layers, tops 15.000 ft. Visibility above cloud good. Route: 7/10 in layers, top 18.000 feet. Ground mist at base.

1945-02-20 D+259

Coltishall

Time: 11.40. – ESCORT TO HALIFAX PATROLLING 5115N 04.30E 51.50N 05.40E. Red section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by P/O. KRZEPTOWSKI, airborne from base 11.40. Landed 14.30. Blue section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by. F/Lt. RZYSKI, airborne from base 12.20. Landed 12.55.
Yellow section /2 Spitfires IXF/ led. by P/O. NOWINSKI, airborne from base 13.30. Landed 15.30. Green section /2 a/c/ led. by. F/Lt. SOCHA, airborne from base 13.40. Landed 16.25. White section /2 a/c/ led. by F/LT. RZYSKI , airborne from base 14.20. Landed 16.30. Black section /2 a/c/ led. by W/C. SZNAPKA, airborne from base 15.00. Landed 16.15. Red section /2 a/c/ led. by F/Sgt. MICHALAK, airborne from base 15.40. Landed 16.30. Red Section R/V on E.T.A. and escorted as planned. Blue Section abortive owing to engine trouble. Yellow Section R/C on E.T.A. at 20.000 feet in cloud. Climbed to 30.000 feet to clear. No contact maded. Green Section R/V on E.T.A. and escorted as planned. White Section R/V on E.T.A at 21.000 feet. Did not contact owing to cloud. Black Section. Abortive owing to engine trouble. Red Section. Recalled owing to adverse weather. V2 contrail reported by Green Leader at 15.32. A/c at the .HAGUE area 17.000 feet. Contrail lost at 35.000 feet. V2 clearly seen and reaembled large squat shell in shape. Weather: Target: 10/10 in layers up to 18.000 feet and then patohy up to 30.000ft. Route: 10/10 in layers to 60 miles from English Coast and then clear to base.
Bombing practice carried out by 3 a/c issuing 3-500 lbbs bombs.

1945-02-21 D+259

Coltishall

Place: Coltishall, Date: 1945-02-21 D+259, Time: 13.00. – ESCORT TO HALIFAX ESCORT PATROLLING 51.15N 04.30E 51.50N 05.40E. Red Section /2 a/c/ led. by W/C. SZNAPKA, airborne from base 13.00. Landed base 18.20. Blue Section /2 a/c/ led. by. P/O GORECKI, airborne from base 13.00. Landed 18.10. Green Section /2 a/c/ led. by F/LT. SZPAKOWICZ , airborne from base 13.20. Landed 18.05. Yellow Section /2 a/c/ led. by F/O. MAKSYMOWICZ, airborne from base 14.20. Landed 18.35.
Red Section. Flew direct to Ursel, landed 14.15 and came to readiness. T.O. 15.30. Escorted Halifax until 17.10. and then returned to base.
Blue Section. R/V at ANTVERP proceeded along patrol line but unable to contact Halifax. Landed Ursel 14.50. T.O. 17.10 and returned to base.
Green Section. R/V with Halifax and escorted as planned. Landed Ursel 15.45. T.O. 16.35 with 6 other A/c of Squadron and straffed and trailer in the HAGUE area.
Yellow Section. R/V with Halifax and escorted as planned. At end of patrol yellow 2 developed engine trouble. Both landed at URSEL 17.00. T.O. 17.45. and returned to base. Weather: Clear with ground mist.
Time: 14.00. – ARMED RECCO. /Target OCKENBURG/. 6 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. SZPAKOWICZ, airborne from base 14.00. Over target 14.50-15.00. Landed 18.05. Crossed in at the HOOK 10.000 feet pinpointed target and bombed SE to NE from 8500 to 5000 ft. Two hits observed in target area. Three overshot and in hangiup jettisoned in sea. Out at the HAGUE followed coast to OSTEND, crossed in and landed at URSEL 15.30. Green Section /2 a/c/ from the Halifax escort T.O. with Flight at 16.36. Followed Coast to KATWIJK, crossed in and attacked one 5-ton lorry with trailer moving S.W. at Y.5210. Strikes observed by all 8 a/c. Left in flames. Crossed out at KATWIJK. Light moderate inaccurate flak from target area. Weather: Target, clear with slight ground mist. Visibility 15 miles. Route: Similar. Mist increasing towards English Coast.

1945-02-22 D+260

Coltishall

8 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. RZYSKI carried out the formation flying and further 6 carried out practice bombing using 10 lbs. bombs. The good result wre obtained by all Pilots who carried out those practice. Weather 9/10, visibility 6-8 miles.

1945-02-23 D+261

Coltishall

No operational either practice flying were carried out owing to adverse weather condition. Weather 10/10 cloud at height 2.500 feet with visibility 1 miles. Ground mist.

1945-02-24 D+262

Coltishall

Time: 11.05. – ARMED RECCO – BAAGSCHE BOSCH F.C. 501-AC. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. S. SOCHA airborne from base 11.05. When 85 miles out Blue 3 developed engine trouble and returned to base with Blue 4 as escort, landing at 12.15. Blue 1 and 2 crossed in above 10/10 cloud KATWIJK vicinity at 11.30 approx. No land seen. Patrolled HAGUE area 5 mints approx. Nothing seen owing to cloud. Set course to base. On return 2 A/S/R boats and two Thurdelolts seen searching oil patch in the midle Channel. Ble 1 and 2 landed at base 12.40.
Weather: Target 10/10 up to 1500 feet. Horyzontal visibility good. Down vis. poor. On route clear. Haze towards Belgium Coast up to 1000 ft. Cloud as above commencing near Dutch Coast.
Time: 11.35. – ARMED RECCO – HAAGSCHE BOSCH F.C. 501 D & F. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/O MAKSYMOWICZ, airborne from base 11.35. Crossed in at KATWIJK approx. at 2000 ft at 12.10 hrs /approx./ Landfall made seen owing to 10/10 cloud. Flew inland towards UTREEIL before turning South to cross out over Southern area. Nothing seen. Whole area obscured by cloud. Weather: 10/10, 2000 ft tops over Holland. Clear over sea. Landed base 13.25.
Time: 13.45 - ARMED RECCO – HAASCHE BOSCH E&D. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by S/LD.R B. H. DROBINSKI, D.F.C., airborne from base 13.45. Crossed in over 10/10 cloud at 8.000 feet at 14.00 hrs in approx. KATWIJK area. After patrolling 15 minutes and making sighting owing to cloud crossed out belived north of the HAGUE at 6.000 feet at 14.45. Landed base 15.30. Time: 13.45 – 14.30 to 14.45 – 15.30. Weather: Target 10/10, 1/5.000 feet wet haze above. Visibility horyzontal 15 miles, down nil. Route: clear patches of 1/10 cloud with thin haze.
6 Spitfire VB carried out practice bombing obtained the total flown hours 4.15. Pilots and controller of bombing range reported good and progressing result obtained by pinpointing targets.

1945-02-25 D+266

Coltishall

P.0305. F/Lt. Pilot. S. SZPAKOWICZ posted to Polish Air Force as N/E missing wef. 25.2.1945. Auth: Awaited.
Time: 08.35. – ATTACK HAGUE/ HAASCHE BOSCH B & C & OCKENBURG. 3 Spitfires IXF and Spitfire XVI led. by F/O. ZDANOWSKI, airborne from base 8.35 on Armed Recco. When about 20 miles off Dutch Coast split into 2 sections. First section crossed in over HAGUE at 8.000 feet at 09.15 and fle straight to target HAAGSCHE BOSCH strafed N half with cannon and M/g fire from N.E to S.W. in dives 8000 to 25000 feet. Turned port climbing to 8000 feet and crossed in S of HAGUE at 09.17 at 7500 ft and strafed OCKENBURG from W to W and dives 7000/800 ft. Nothing seen. Crossed out at 5000 ft to R/V velt First section of Dutch coast. All aircraft landed base 10.25. Time: 08,35 09.17 to 09.35. 10.25. Flak – Nil. Weather: over target: Over HAGUE patches of cloud 600/2000 ft. East of HAGUE and LEIDED then layer 6/10 cloud 6000 ft thickening towards East. Over sea: Some mist 10/10 cloud 8/10.000 ft gradually lowering.
Time: 10.00 – ARMED RECCO. – HAGUE/OCKENBURG. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/LT. SZPAKOWICZ airborne from base 10.00 crossing in N of HOOK at 10.000 feet at 10.45. Flew inland dropping to 6000 ft but nothing seen. Returned to target and straffed by all aircraft with cannon and machingon fire from S.E and N.W. in dives 10.000 ft before crossing out over HOOK where Blue 1 & 2 hit by heavy flak from harbour area. All aircraft broke. Blue 1 making large orbit to N and out to sea for 5 minus before realising radiator hit. All a/c S/C for Ursel when Blue 1 /F.Lt. SZPAKOWICZ/ gradually lost height entoer water in SCHOUWEN Mainland Cap position D.4945 at 11.35. and about 4/500 yards from land. Other 3 a/c orbitted 5 minutes but a/c and pilot seen and sink below water and nothing further seen. Proceeded Ursel landing at 12.000 hrs. Time: 10.000 – 10.50 to 11.20 – 12.000 Ursel. Flak: 4 Burst heavy HOOK harbour area. Weather: Over target, clear to 10 miles inland becoming 10/10 cloud at 9/10.000 feet to East. Clear over Schelde. On route: 9/10 scattered cloud various heights.
P.0305. F/Lt. PIL. SZPAKOWICZ, S. and Spitfire IXF No. EN. 367 missing, belived sunk.
Time: 11.55 - ARMED RECCO – HAAGSCHE BOSCH 5 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/O. ZDANOWSKI, airborne from base 11.55. Crossed in between KATWIJK and HAGUE at 12.40. at 8/9.000 feet. Flew straight to target but orbitted to await cloud patches to move away. All a/c attacked indive 7000 to 25000 from S to N witch cannon and m/g fire. Target clearly seen hit. No activity observed. Crossed out N of HAGUE at 3/4.000 feet at 12.52 hrs and a/c set on course landed at base 13.40. Time: 11.55 – 12.40 to 12.52 – 13.40. Flak : Intense accurate light from target area. Medium And light from buildings N of HAAGSCHE BOSCH espec. from BATAAFSCHE Petrol Co. Weather: patches and cloud over target 6/10 at 6.000 feet to 8.000 ft. Thicking to the East on route: From British Coast to mid. Channel rain with 10/10 cloud 4.500 ft, base 6000 ft tops becomming 8/10, 9.000 ft towards Dutch coast.
Time: 13.40 - ARMED RECCO – HAGUE/HAAGSCHE BOSCH D & E. 3 Spitfires IXF. led. by W/O. Z. BARTKOWIAK, airborne from base 13.40. Flew on a vector of 120° climbing inton rain and cloud at 7.000 feet. Continued flying in cloud to 10.000 feet and after 40 minutes conditions deteriorating and vis. nil turned back to base having seen nothing, landing at 15.10. Time: 13.40 – 15.10. Weather: Over Holland 10/10, 5000 feet base tops unknown. Visibility Nil. On route: Ptaches of cloud up to 2000 ft to mid. Channel becoming clear it on deteriorating to East and well as over target.
Time: 16.15 – ANTI SUBMARINE PATROL. 5 Spitfires IXF. and 1 Spitfire XVI operating in 3 sections of 2 a/c each to cover areas 1, 2 and 3 on Anti Midget Submarine Patrol. All a/c patrolled 2 hours /times as below/ Unevenful. Nothing seen.
Area I. 16.15 16.25 to 18.25 18.55.
Area II. 16.14 16.25 to 18.25 18.45.
Area III. 16.16 16.34 to 18.25 18.50.
Weather: Misty with thin layers and low cloud 1500 feet and 5/10 layers at 4.000 feet.
Time: 12.00 P.2419. F/O. J. KROK when pulled out from vertical dive the skin of fuselage of Spitfire´s MH. 692 deformed and categorized as provisional “B” . 765C Form action being taken.
Time: 12.00 P.784849 SGT. Pilot. JANICKI, J. damaged his Spitfire BS. 463 when landing at R.A.F. Coltishall field. Spitfire Cat. “AC”. Form 765C actioned.

1945-02-26 D+264

Coltishall

Time: 07.10 – ANTI MIDGET SUBMARINE PATROL. 6 Spitfires IXF. operating in 3 sections of 2 a/c each to patrol areas 1, 2 and 3.
Area I patrolled by Red section led. by F/O. ZDANOWSKI. Area II patrolled by Blue section led. by Sgt. JANICKI. Area III patrolled Yellow section led. by F/O. MAKSYMOWICZ. All patrols at 5/7.000 feet and all uneventful.
Times:
Red section 07.10 - 07.20 to 8.50 09.20.
Blue section: 07.09 - 07.10 to 08.50 09.25.
Yellow section: 07.02 - 07.20 to 08.50 09.20.
Weather: Clear to the North becoming misty up to 1000 feet and a thin layer 2/10 cloud at 2.000 feet to the South.
Time: 12.55: ARMED RECCO – HAGUE/HAAGSCHE BOSCH D. 4 Spitfires IXF led. by F/O. ZDANOWSKI, airborne from base 12.55. on Armed Recco. Crossed in N of HAGUE at 8500 feet at 12.30 hrs.
Large orbit to East Before attacking target from S to N with cannon and m/g fire in dives from 8.000 to 3.000 feet. Strikes observed on road interception at D witch was learly visible and on building and ditches 100 yards to S.E. No movement observed or activity seen in woods. 6 Spitfires seen to N of HAGUE. Crossed out just N of HAGUE at 3000 ft to R/V out to sea at 13.45. and set course to land safely at base at 14.35.
Times: 12.55 13.30 to 13.45 -14.36.
Flak: Nil. Weather: Over target – Clear but clouds to the East. On route 8/10 to 9/10 cloud at 2000 feet. Over British Coast and approx. 30 miles out to sea.
12 a/c Spitfires VB carried out Dusk Flying according to programe composed by C.O. Total hours flown from 17.55 to 19.15 carried out by 12 Pilots is: 16.25 hrs. Except those non of the other training were carried out.

1945-02-27 D+265

Coltishall

P.782599. SGT. Pilot. PRUSAK, K. posted to Polish Record as N/E killed wef. 27.2.45. Auth: Awaited.
No operational flying carried out today. either flying training were carried out.
Time: 14.24. – When P.782599. Sgt. Pilot. PRUSAK, K. took off his Spitfire MA.814 from HARRINGTON U.S.A.A.F. Northamtonshire showed roll at low altitude and hit the ground. Aircraft caught on fire in which the Pilot was killed and burnt. A/c cat. “E”. Form 765C being acioned and investigation being taken.

1945-02-28 D+266

Coltishall

P.2610. Tech. W. BROMKE posted from R.AF. Depot /Airfield Construction Pool/ for experience of R.A.F./P.A.F. Liaison and Administration wef. 28.2.1945. Auth: AM. Signal P.6338 dated 26.2.1945.
Time: 09.30 - ARMED RECCO – HAGUE/ F.C. 501 B & F. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. FRANCKIEWICZ, airborne from base 09.30 on Armed Recco. Crossed in KATWIJK 10.55 at 5.000 feet turned out to sea to recross at HAGUE. Target clearly seen but Red 1 and 3 unable to jettison tanks. Orbitted for 15 minutes at 5.000 feet but still unable to jettison so all a/c set on course and returned to base without no having attack made and landed safely at base at 11.00 hrs.
Time: 09.30 - 10.05 to 10.25. - 11.00 Weather: over target: 10/10, 5.000 feet base tops unknown. Patches of cloud 2/3.000 feet. A little haze. Horyzontal vis. Good. In cloud 100 yards.
Time: 10.05. - ARMED RECCO – F.C. 501 C + D. 3 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. M. SZELESTOWSKI, airborne from base 10.05 approached to HAGUE but land partically obscured by cloud and mist so turned N to cross in N of KATWLIK at 5.000 ft at 10.50 hrs. Orbits of roads and railways between LEIDEN/HAGUE/ROTTERDAM waiting target to clear and seeking transport. On HAGUE/GOUDA road position D.7599 – a 3 tons camouflaged lorry seen moving to HAGUE. Stopped and 4 people took roudside before all a/c attacked in dives 2000 ft to 200 ft. Left flamming , grey smoke. 20/30 troops marching towards HAGUE single file with Lo yards interoads and just behind lorry straffed by 3 a/c. More activity then usual reported on all roads – largely towards HAGUE. Returned to target but still observed by cloud and mist se set course for base from LOVEDUINEN area at 11.15 at 4.000 ft. When 80 miles from base on course 300 from HAGUE at 11.35 /Fix H.9915/ large explosion seen in sea with water , grey smoke rising up to 50 ft. A/c landed safely at 12.00 hrs. Flak – nil. Weather: Over target 10/10, 5000 ft base- patches of cloud and mist at all heights below 5000 ft obscuring target. Vis. Variable. On Route: as above. Thick patches of cloud 2/3.000 feet off Dutch Coast.
Time: 13.30 – ESCORT TO PHOTOGRAPHIC MISTANGS. 4 Spitfires IXF. led. by F/Lt. FRANCKIEWICZ, airborne from base 13.30 to act as escort to 2 Mustangs photographing the HAGUE. R/V over base as palmnned and escorted to Dutch coast. Orbitted off coast over 1500 ft awaiting Mustangs when set on course for base breaking off near British Coast. Time: 13.30 - 14.05 to 15.00 15.25. Flak – nil. Weather: Over target 10/10, 5000 feet, base with haze below. Visibility good. Over sea – as above.

CONSOLIDATED FLYING TIMES FOR THE MONTH ENDED at 28.2.1945 is as follows:
A. Spitfires XVI – 7.50 Spitfires IXF. – 345.55 Spitfires VB – Nil.
B. Spitfires XVI – Nil. Spitfires IXF. – Nil. Spitfires VB – Nil.
C. Spitfires XVI – 4.20 Spitfires IXF. – 71.00 Spitfires VB – 13.15.
D. Spitfires XVI – Nil. Spitfires IXF. – 12.00 Spitfires VB – 3.15.
E. Spitfires XVI – Nil. Spitfires IXF. – Nil. Spitfires VB – Nil.

Squadron Leader, Commanding.
No. 303 /Polish/ Squadron
R.A.F. Station , COLTISHALL