Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-04-01

LINDHOLME

Weather: Cloudy with bright intervals; showers. Strong gusty wind. Good visibility.

1942-04-02

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine; strong gusty wind, moderating during day and dying out inland. Visibility good, deteriorating after dusk.
The task for 12 senior crews was cancelled at 16.30 hours. A night flying training programme was carried out.

1942-04-03

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly cloudy; visibility good latter half of day.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Viscount TRENCHARD visited the Station and gave a short speech in one of this Squadron’s hangars which was addressed particularly to flying personnel. He stressed the vital importance of the bombing effort of the Royal Air Force and praised the work of those carrying it out. Fourteen senior crews were detailed for operations but these were cancelled — two before briefing.

1942-04-04

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly cloudy apart from fair period latemorning and afternoon. Rain, intermittent early morning, more continuous in evening.

1942-04-05

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly cloudy, becoming fair around dusk and fine toward midnight. Good visibility.
As partof the Squadron’s Easter celebrations, officers and other ranks dined together in the airmen’s mess. Group Captain GARLAND, the Station Commander, and Group Captain MAKOWSKI, the Senior Polish Officer, were present and made short speeches. Twelve senior crews were detailed for an attack on COLOGNE, and despite conditions of considerable cloud and ground haze all except one — that captained by P/O OSADZINSKI, of whose aircraft no news whatever was received after it took off from base — claimed to have dropped their bombs in the target area.

1942-04-06

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly cloudy, with occasional showers. Moderate to good visibility.
The task for 11 seniors was cancelled at 23.25 hours — just before the take-off.

1942-04-07

LINDHOLME

Weather: Varying amounts of cloud with occasional showers of rain and strong gusty wind. Good visibility. One crew received night flying training.

1942-04-08

LINDHOLME

Weather: Variable cloud, occasional showers of rain. Good visibility.
F/L MILEWSKI attended the court martial proceedings at Station Headquarters of AC2 SWIECH. Much cloud and severe icing conditions were expereicned by 10 senior crews who took off to attack HAMBURG. F/O SZCZUROWSKI, F/O KUCHARSKI, Sgt JONSKI and Sgt. JANIK reached the target and bombed on estimated time of arrival; P/O MISNIAKIEWICZ reached the target but was unable to release his bombs. Of the rest, F/O KWAK bombed an aerodrome at UTERSEN, P/O DZIEGIELEWSKI attacked HELIGOLAND and Sgt OMIELJASZKO dropped his bombs on NORDEN. Sgt SICINSKI and F/O HIRSZ abandoned their task on account of severe icing and trouble with the heating system of the aircraft respectively.

1942-04-09

LINDHOLME

Weather: Cloudy, with period of continuous rain during morning; becoming showery.

1942-04-10

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fair, becoming fine. Strong gusty wind.
Krupps works at ESSEN was the target for nine senior crews, captained respectively by S/L CZETOWICZ (aircraft 1112) P/O DZIEGIELEWSKI (9664), P/O MISNIAKIEWICZ (9687) F/O HIRSZ (1660), F/O KUCHARSKI (1172), SGT JONSKI (9827), SGT OMIELJASZKO (1704), SGT SICINSKI (9680) and Sgt JANIK (1230). All except Sgt JANIK’S crew, which is missing, and of which no news was received after take-off, successfully carried out the raid. SGT JONSKI’S aircraft was slightly damaged by flak. Aircraft 1230, which was lost, was one of the Squadron’s original issue and was carrying out its 31st sortie.

1942-04-11

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly fair.
Wing Commander POZIOMEK visited the Polish Inspectorate General in LONDON for discussions.

1942-04-12

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fair or fine, good visibility.
Krupps works were again attacked by nine aircraft of this Squadron — numbers 5627, 1088, 1172, 437, 966[Illegible] and 9687, captained respectively by F/O MORAWSKI, F/O SZCZUROWSKI, SGT JONSKI, F/O KUCHARSKI, SGT LOZOWICKI, F/O LADRO, F/O SKARZYNSKI, P/O DZIEGIELEWSKI and P/O MISNIAKIEWICZ. The aircraft captained by SGT JONSKI and SGT LOZOWICKI were attacked by enemy fighters — two Me. 110s in the case of SGT LOZOWICKI. SGT JONSKI had already bombed his target but SGT LOZOWICKI was compelled to abandon his task owing to engine trouble and bombed instead an enemy aerodrome at DINANT. SGT JONSKI’S aircraft was badly damaged by cannon and machine-gun fire but SGT JONSKI made a successful landing at SWANTON MORLEY. The only injury sustained by the crew was a bullet wound in the eye received by F/O KOSSAKOWSKI. SGT LOZOWICKI force-landed near MARCH, and two of his crew, SGT STRACZEK, the second pilot, and SGT GIBAS, W/op. A.G., were injured and taken to hospital. Six of the remaining seven aircraft successfully carried out their mission; of the seventh, that captained by P/O MISNIAKIEWICZ, no news whatever was received. F/O KUCHARSKI returned to HEMSWELL. Two crews undertook night flying training.

1942-04-13

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly fair, apart from cloudy period in evening. Moderate visibility.
S/L NOWICKI flew to SWANTON MORLEY to bring back the five uninjured members of SGT JONSKI’S crew, and F/O SZCZUROWSKI to MILDENHALL for four members of SGT LOZOWICKI’S crew.

1942-04-14

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine; very hazy. Strong gusty wind middle of day.
An attack on DORTMUND was made by seven aircraft captained by F/O HIRSZ (1660), F/O MORAWSKI (5627), F/O KUCHARSKI (441), F/O LADRO (9664), F/O SKARZYNSKI (1112), SGT SICINSKI (9680) and SGT OMIELJASZKO (1704). All except F/O MORAWSKI, who owing to petrol and oxygen shortage bombed the alternative target of ISERLOHN, successfully accomplished the task. One fresher crew captained by F/O KWAK bombed the docks at LE HAVRE. A night flying training programme was also carried out.

1942-04-15

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine, haze early, good visibility later.
The second attack on successive nights was made on DORTMUND, this time by four aircraft captained by F/O MORAWSKI, F/O SZCZUROWSKI, F/O KWAK and SGT SICINSKI. Visibility was exceptionally poor with 10/10ths cloud, and no crew [Three illegible letters]imed to have identified the target. F/O SZCZUROWSKI’S crew failed to locate the primary and bombed what was believed to be ST OMER aerodrome. F/O MORAWSKI’S aircraft was attacked but not damaged by an enemy fighter, and F/O SZCZUROWSKI’S was hit by flak.

1942-04-16

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine; good visibility.

1942-04-17

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine apart from increasing high cloud at night. Good visibility.
Wellington 1C aircraft R1657 and HF836 arrived from No. 38 M.U., LLANDOW, on No. 40 Group allotment. HAMBURG was the target for four senior crews captained by F/O SKARZYNSKI, F/O KUCHARSKI, SGT SICINSKI and SGT KUC. As a result of the attack with incendiaries new fires were seen to be added to those already burning in the town. SGT KUC had to abandon the task owing to engine trouble. One sortie was cancelled before take-off owing to engine trouble.

1942-04-18

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine early, becoming cloudy; hazy most of day.
Two crews were trained in night flying exercises.

1942-04-19

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly cloudy; Very poor visibility all day, with thick fog at times.

1942-04-20

LINDHOLME

Weather: Cloudy with slight drizzle during evening. Poor visibility.
The task for two fresher crews was cancelled before briefing.

1942-04-21

LINDHOLME

Weather: Cloudy, poor visibility.
Two Wellington 1C aircraft, DV594 and Z1072 were received on transfer from No. 150 Squadron, SNAITH, on No. 1 Group authority.

1942-04-22

LINDHOLME

Weather: Cloudy, poor visibility.
F/L TURSKI and S/L CZETOWICZ visited the Polish Inspectorate General. Two fresher tasks were again cancelled.

1942-04-23

LINDHOLME

Weather: Cloudy, poor visibility at first, improving to good by evening.
Sixty of the Squadron personnel under the command of Wing Commander POZIOMEK attended a service of remembrance in the Cemetery at NEWARK, together with a similar party from No. 305 Squadron, for members of the two squadrons who have died on active service. Group Captain MIODONSKI, of the Polish Depot, conducted the service. In the evening, after the return to LINDHOLME, the Polish padre, S/L SASINOWSKI, conducted a service on the parade ground. The Squadron’s contribution to the first great raid on ROSTOCK was a fire-raising attack by six aircraft captained by F/O KWAK (9829), F/O HIRSZ (9680), F/O FIGURA (597), F/O SZCZUROWSKI (1088), F/O KUCHARSKI (1172) and SGT KUC (441). F/O KWAK’S crew is missing. F/O FIGURA bombed a last resort target, HUSON but the remaining four reached ROSTOCK and added to the many conflagrations in the town. One crew received night flying training.

1942-04-24

LINDHOLME

Weather: Cloudy, apart from clearance toward midnight. Ground frost at night.
On the eve of the anniversary of the Squadron’s first raid, a record operational effort was achieved, 14 crews joining in the second night’s destruction at ROSTOCK. Four members of one crew which participated in the first task — S/L CZETOWICZ, F/L ISZKOWSKI, F/L LEWKOWICZ and F/S APANASEWICZ — took part, allexcept F/L ISZKOWSKI being in the same crew. The aircraft of which S/L CZETOWICZ was captain was attacked and damaged by an enemy fighter and S/L CZETOWICZ and the rear gunner, P/O APANASIK were injured. SGT WIECKOWSKI, in aircraft 9680, destroyed a Me. 110 near SCHLESWIG.

1942-04-25

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine, good visibility; strong gusty wind.
SQUADRON’S DAY was celebrated jointly by this and No. 305 Squadron, and among the distinguished visitors were GENERAL SIKORSKI, the Polish Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief, GENERAL KOPANSKI, Chief of the Polish Forces in LIBYA, General UJEJSKI, Inspector General of the Polish Air Force, Air Vice Marshal R.D. OXLAND, Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, and Group Captain PAWLIKOWSKI, of the Polish Fighter Group. Others present included the Station Commander, Group Captain A.H. GARLAND, the Senior Polish Officer, Group Captain MAKOWSKI, and many former members of the two squadrons. The celebrations commenced with High Mass conducted by Group Captain MIODONSKI, assisted by S/L SASINOWSKI. Afterward GENERAL SIKORSKI, GENERAL KOPANSKI and GENERAL UJEJSKI inspected the squadrons and GENERAL SIKORSKI presented decorations to the following:

VIRTUTI MILITARI: G/C DUDZINSKI (former Commanding Officer of this Squadron), F/O DUNCZEWSKI, F/O FIG[Illegible letter] F/O LADRO, F/O HIRSZ, F/O MASLANKA, F/O MORAWSKI, F/O SKARZYNSKI, F/O SZCZUROWSKI, SGT LIPSKI, SGT DROZDZ[Illegible letter]OK, SGT GEMSA, SGT MODRZEWSKI, SGT POLESINSKI, SGT SICINSKI & SGT WOJTOWICZ. The decoration has also been awarded to the following personnel who are missing: P/O BLICHARZ, F/O KUREK, F/O KWAK, F/O MACZYNSKI, P/O ZAJAC, F/O GISMAN, F/S GRACZYK, SGT OBIOREK, SGT POKRZYWA, SGT STRZYZEWSKI and SGT WOZNIAK, B.

KRZYZ ZASLUGI: F/S BRZUCHACZ, SGT ZAJKOWSKI, CPL KRYDNER, CPL LISOWSKI, CPL ORLINSKI and LAC SWIERZB.

GENERAL KOPANSKI presented the following decorations:

KRZYZ WALECZNYCH: F/O KOWALSKI, F/O PRAZMOWSKI, SGT RZEWUSKI, SGT LIPSKI, SGT BONK, SGT GEMSA, SGT JABLONSKI, SGT NOWAK, SGT FERENC: F/O BUCZMA, F/O KUCHARSKI, F/O WALTERA, F/O DUNCZEWSKI, P/O DZIEGIELEWSKI, F/O LEWALTH-JEZIERSKI, F/O SKARZYNSKI, F/O BRAUN, F/O KRYSZCZUK, F/O PAJKO, F/O SZCZUROWSKI, F/O OLES, F/O SIUZDAK, F/O GALCZYNSKI, F/O JAROSZYNSKI, F/O KAUCZ, SGT KAMYSZEK, SGT KACZKOWSKI, SGT TWARDOCH, SGT OMIELJASZKO, SGT TETTAMANDI, SGT JOZEFIAK, SGT SULIKOWSKI, SGT ZIELINSKI, A., SGT JONSKI, SGT POLESINSKI, SGT SKWARZYNSKI, SGT WOZNIAK, B., SGT GOLEBIOWSKI, SGT MALICKI, SGT PIEKARSKI, SGT SACINSKI, SGT TALACH, SGT TRUSZKOWSKI, SGT WIECKOWSKI, SGT WOJTAS, SGT ZAWADA, SGT ZIELINSKI, S., SGT BAKANACZ, SGT KUC, SGT MACHNIOWSKI, SGT GAGALA, SGT MALCZYK, SGT WALUKIEWICZ, [Illegible] SGT BRYCH, SGT KRAJEWSKI, SGT BURCHARD, SGT SASAL, SGT GUSTOWSKI, SGT KOCYK, SGT ZESKO. The decoration has also been awarded to the following missing personnel: F/O KWAK, F/O ZIELENIEWSKI, SGT WOZNIAK, L.J., SGT MOSZYNSKI, SGT JANKOWSKI, SGT JAWOROSIUK, SGT SOLECKI AND SGT KRZYWIECKI.

A march past of personnel of the two squadrons followed, preceded by the Polish Air Force Flag, at present held by this Squadron, GENERAL SIKORSKI taking the salute. Officers and other ranks then dined together in one of the hangars, with speeches following by GENERAL SIKORSKI and GENERAL KOPANSKI, and music by the Polish Army Bank and Polish Army Choir. In the afternoon there was a football match between Polish personnel from R.A.F. Station HEMSWELL and R.A.F. Station, LINDHOLME, and later at a social evening the Polish Army Choir again sang in the NAAFI canteen.

1942-04-26

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly fine, good visibility. Strong gustry wind, moderating toward midnight.
Six senior crews captained by F/O FIGURA (597), F/O HIRSZ (1660) F/O KUCHARSKI (1172) SGT KUC (9664) SGT SICINSKI (9680) and SGT JONSKI (594) again attacked ROSTOCK, all successfully bombing the target. Two freshers, captained by F/O SKARZYNSKI and SGT GOLEBIOWSKI, attacked the docks at DUNKIRK.

1942-04-27

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine. Good visibility. Strong gusty wind afternoon and evening.
Five senior crews took part in a raid on the KNOCKER-HUMBOLT-DEUTZ factory in COLOGNE. Three reported bombing in or near the target area; of the other two — captained by F/O MORAWSKI and F/O SZCZUROWSKI — no news was received and they are regarded as missing. One fresher task, to bomb the docks at DUNKIRK, was carried out by a crew of which SGT.OMIELJASZKO was captain.

1942-04-28

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine at first, becoming fair later. Good visibility. Strong gusty wind.
At a parade of the Polish personnel of Nos. 304 and 305 Squadrons, GROUP CAPTAIN MAKOWSKI, who has gone to HEADQUARTERS, BOMBER COMMAND, for liaison duties, said farewell and introduced his successor at LINDHOLME as Senior Polish Officer, WING COMMANDER SKARZYNSKI, from BRAMCOTE. F/L TURSKI flew to TIREE in connection with the Squadron’s pending move to the island. One fresher crew (Captain F/O SKARZYNSKI) carried out an attack on OSTENDE.

1942-04-29

LINDHOLME

Weather: Mainly fine; good visibility. Strong gusty wind.
A local night flying programme was carried out.

1942-04-30

LINDHOLME

Weather: Fine; good visibility.

The following movements of personnel have occurred during the month:
1.4.42 F/O DYDZUIL, M., and Sgt. PINIEWSKI, C., from No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE, for observer and W/Op. A.G. duties respectively.
5.4.42 F/O SIUZDAK, T., to MILDENHALL, for B.A.T. Course.
7.4.42 Sgts. MIRONOW, SZANTROCH and KRZECZEWSKI to No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE, for instructor duties. Sgt. Cadet KRASUSKI,, from R.A.F. Station, LINDHOLME, for duty at Squadron Signals Officer.
11.4.42 Sgt ADAMCZYK to No. 1 A.A.S., MANBY, on posting.
F/O SIUZDAK, T., returned from B.A.T. Course at MILDENHALL.
12.4.42 The following crew arrived on posting from No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE: P/O KRAMIN, J., Sgt. KOZLOWSKI, S., F/O NOWICKI, A., F/O FRANCZAK, A., P/O APANASIK, A., Sgt LEWKONOWICZ, A.
14.4.42 F/S PIECZYNSKI, Z. (W/Op. A.G.) and Sgt. WANCISIEWICZ, J., (A.G.) from No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE.
17.4.42 F/L GILBERT, T.J., British Adjutant, left on posting as Station Adjutant, HEMSWELL, and F/L BRAITHWAITE, F.L., from No. 25 O.T.U., HARWELL, took over the duties of British Adjutant.
18.4.42 F/O PRAZMOWSKI, J., attached to No. 1 A.A.S., MANBY, for Bombing Leaders’ Course.
19.4.42 Sgt TWARDOCH, G., proceeded to MILDENHALL for attachment on B.A.T. Course.
25.4.42 Sgt TWARDOCH, G., returned from B.A.T. Course at MILDENHALL.
27.4.42 Three new crews arrived on posting from No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE: P/O MAZURKIEWICZ, M., F/O MINAKOWSKI, W., Sgt PIECHOWIAK, Z., P/O WODZINSKI, M., Sgt. KUBACIK, F.: F/O KRAJEWSKI, F/O WIDANKA, S., Sgt TYDMAN, R., P/O LEGUN, I., Sgt SZKLARSKI, M.; F/O ZARUDZKI, E., F/O PIATKOWSKI, S., Sgt SOLECKI, Z., F/O GLUSKI, R., Sgt CHUDZICKI, K.

[Illegible hand signature]
Wing Commander, Commanding
No. 304 (Polish) Squadron,
ROYAL AIR FORCE, LINDHOLME