Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-12-01

DALE

The move of the personnel and aircraft of “B” Flight from R.A.F. Station, TALBENNY, completed the return of the Squadron to R.A.F. Station, DALE. (As prior to the departure of the Squadron from DALE on 3rd November, Maintenance Flight remained at TALBENNY). Two aircraft operated on patrol; that captained by W/O P GLYDZIAK bombed the larger of two enemy merchant vessels which were encountered. Sgt K CHUDZICKI proceeded to R.A.F. Station, SUTTON BRIDGE, on attachment for the Gunnery Leaders’ Course. P/O R JUZKOW went to LONDON for interview by W/C BAJN at the Polish Inspectorate General.

1942-12-02

DALE

Mr. KISIELEWSKI, of the Polish Ministry of Propaganda, and Mr. BOLESLAW PIEKARSKI, a Polish journalist, visited the Squadron, with F/L PEDEN as escort. Three aircraft were employed on anti-submarine duties and Sgt. M STRACZEK’S crew reported on their return that they had sighted 3 JU88’s flying in formation, and that after the rear gunner had fired without reply from the enemy aircraft, the Wellington reached cloud cover and avoided combat.

1942-12-03

DALE

An anti-submarine patrol was carried out by thee crews.

1942-12-04

DALE

S/L M KUCHARSKI visited the Squadron. Three aircraft were on patrol.

1942-12-05

DALE

G/C J A C STRATTON and S/L POWELL (TALBENNY) conducted an investigation into charges against F/OS ZUREK and Sgt S ZESKO in connection with the early return of an aircraft of the Squadron from an operational flight, following jamming of one of the machine-guns.

1942-12-06

DALE

Sgt S KIELAN and Sgt E KASPRZAK arrived on posting for ground training from Deputy Polish Inspectorate General, BLACKPOOL. Bad weather prevented the return to base of six aircraft which had been engaged on patrol; four landed at EXETER, one at HARROWBEER, and the other at BOSCOMBE DOWN.

1942-12-07

DALE

Sgt B MICHALAK left on attachment to R.A.F. Station, LEUCHARS, for B.A.T. Course.

1942-12-08

DALE

F/O W CHUCHELA, Capt A TOMASZEWSKI (Polish Land Army) and F/S J APANASEWICZ attended a special service in the Roman Catholic Church at HAVERFORDWEST in connection with the Day of Prayer for Poland. P/O NOWAK left on posting to No. 6 O.T.U., THORNABY-ON-TEES, and P/O A FRANCZAK was detached to R.A.F. Station, COSFORD, for No. 5 Polish Officers Course. An anti-submarine patrol by six aircraft was cancelled owing to bad weather conditions.

1942-12-09

DALE

F/O E STANCZUK, a former Adjutant of the Squadron, and P/O J BORZYCH, arrived on posting from No. 10 Air Observer School, DUMFRIES, for duty as navigators. Operations (a sweep for which three crews had been detailed) were again cancelled owing to unfavourable weather.

1942-12-10

DALE

Sgt H GOLEBIOWSKI returned on completion of B.A.T. Course at R.A.F. Station, LEUCHARS.

1942-12-11

DALE

Nothing to report.

1942-12-12

DALE

W/C K CZETOWICZ, Squadron Commander, flew to LONDON for conferences at the Polish Inspectorate General. Particularly bad weather conditions were encountered by six crews who took off on an operational sweep, and all returned early, having been compelled to curtail the patrol. The aircraft captained by F/O A KRAJEWSKI (Wellington HE101) experienced engine [Illegible letter]rouble, but after jettisoning bombs and depth charges, and sending out an SOS, found it possible to return safely to base.

1942-12-13

DALE

Six tour-expired aircrew personnel — Sgts P BRYCH, L BONK, R GEMSA, E MALICKI and E. SKWARZYNSKI, all W/Op. A.G.s., and Sgt. S WIECKOWSKI, A.G. — left on posting to No. 6 O.T.U., THORNABY-ON-TEES, for instructor duties.

1942-12-14

DALE

Six aircraft were on patrol, and that captained by Sgt J BAKANACZ attacked a 3,000-ton cargo ship. The nearest bomb burst about 50 yards to port of the vessel. Two English journalists visited the Squadron.

1942-12-15

DALE

W/C K CZETOWICZ returned from LONDON.

1942-12-16

DALE

Badges of the Polish Air Force were awarded to the following aircrew personnel of the Squadron: Pilot’s Badge: F/O T MUCHA, P/O S ZUREK, Sgt T MIECZNIK, Sgt W KOWALEWICZ, Sgt E KOZIEL, Sgt B MICHALAK, Sgt S MURLOWSKI and Sgt J SKULICZ. Observer’s Badge: F/O W PIATKOWSKI, F/O W LISIECKI, F/O S J PLACHCINSKI, F/O S SEKUTOWICZ, F/O W WASILEWSKI. W/Op A.G.s Badge: Sgt C BOCHANES, Sgt K CHLOPICKI, Sgt W DROZDZEWSKI, Sgt J MICHALSKI, Sgt W PAPESZ. Air Gunner’s Badge: Sgt W PATLEWICZ, Sgt J PAWLAK, Sgt R PUCHALA, Sgt W TARAS, Sgt A ULICKI, Sgt S ZIELINSKI, Sgt R LEDOCHOWSKI and Sgt E STASIAK. P/O I LEGUN proceeded on attachment to R.A.F. Station, STORMY DOWN, for No. 4 Free Gun Sighting Course. F/L W WISNIEWSKI, Medical Officer, attended a conference in LONDON at the Polish Inspectorate General. The Polish Travelling Theatre players visited the Station and gave a musical and stage presentation for all ranks in the airmen’s mess. A dinghy search was carried out unsuccessfully by five aircraft.

1942-12-17

DALE

Nothing to report.

1942-12-18

DALE

An anti-submarine patrol was kept by six crews. F/O A ONOSZKO, in Wellington aircraft HF836, received instructions from base to attack an enemy submarine in a given position, but the vessel was not contacted.

1942-12-19

DALE

A crew consisting of Sgt J WOJTOWICZ, Sgt R MACHNIOWSKI, Sgt E GAGALA, F/S Z KOMORNICKI and Sgt J JAROSZ, were a[Illegible letter]tached to No. 4 Armament Practice Camp, TALBENNY, for a week’s course.

1942-12-20

DALE

W/C CZETOWICZ again visited LONDON for a further conference at the Polish Inspectorate General. Bad weather was responsible for the recall by 17.00 hours of the five aircraft which were assigned to an operational sweep.

1942-12-21

DALE

Sgt W CZEKALSKI commenced a B.A.T. Course at R.A.F. Station, LEUCHARS.

1942-12-22

DALE

The President of the Polish Republic sent Christmas and New Year greetings and wishes to the Polish Forces in which he especially stressed the important work done by the Polish Air Force. Other messages were received as follows:
GENERAL KUKIEL, Minister of National Defence:
In the name of the Commander-in-Chief (GENERAL SIKORSKI), who is absent, and in my own, I am sending hearty wishes for Christmas and New Year to all the officers commanding and personnel of the Land, Marine and Air Forces. May God grant them to spend their next Christmas in their native land after the victory over the enemy.
GENERAL UJEJSKI, Inspector General of the Polish Air Force:
On the occasion of Christmas and the New Year, I am sending to all personnel of the Polish Air Force my hearty wishes. The general war situation enables us to believe that final victory has now become a certainty. May the knowledge of itrelieve the feelings of anxiety which we are experiencing and strengthen us so as to spend this forthcoming Christmas in good heart, and in the expectation that it will be the last which we shall spend outside our country.

Four aircraft of the Squadron were on patrol. P/O J WROBLEWSKI’s crew reported seeing a JU88 and a F.W.190, both of which disappeared toward the French coast without combat taking place.

1942-12-23

DALE

Sgt B MICHALAK returned from the B.A.T. Course at R.A.F. Station, LEUCHARS. W/C K CZETOWICZ returned from the Polish Inspectorate General.

1942-12-24

DALE

The Polish celebrations of Christmas began with the customary Christmas Eve reunion, “WILNA”. The Officer Commanding, R.A.F. Station, TALBENNY, G/C J A C STRATTON, and the Squadron Commander, W/C K CZETOWICZ, and a delegation of officers visited the airmen in the airmen’s mess, where supper was held, and then proceeded to the Sergeants’ Mess to carry out the custom of exchanging wafers. The officers then returned to the Officers’ Mess, where a meal was taken with about 15 guests, comprising friends of the Squadron, and widows of officers of the Squadron who have lost their lives on operational flights. A church service was conducted by the Padre, S/L KACKI, at 23.00 hours. Five aircraft had carried out an anti-submarine patrol during the day. One landed at base and three were diverted to CHIVENOR; but Wellington HF894, captained by F/O M PRONASZKO, was unable to land there owing to the impossibility of obtaining W/T communication, and after being in the air for 11 hours 56 minutes, the crew baled out without injury near CHASE TERRACE, Cannock, Staffordshire. The crew consisted of F/O M PRONASZKO, Sgt J BIALECKI, P/O S KAWA, Sgt J SERAFINI, Sgt S WOJSA and Sgt L POSTOL. The aircraft crashed and was wrecked.

1942-12-25

DALE

Christmas celebrationscontinued with two church services in the morning, and after dinner, at which other ranks were served by the officers, a concert by a Polish concert party in the airmen’s mess was attended by all ranks. G/C J A C STRATTON was among those present at a reception in the officers’ mess, at which there were a number of guests from the surrounding district, and friends of Squadron personnel. Christmas dinner and a sherry party were the evening functions in the officers’ mess, and in the airmen’s mess there was a dance for other ranks.

1942-12-26

DALE

A Polish variety show in the airmen’s mess for all ranks concluded the Christmas celebrations.

1942-12-27

DALE

Nothing to report.

1942-12-28

DALE

Owing to bad weather at base, the three aircraft which were on patrol were diverted to EXETER on their return.

1942-12-29

DALE

Routine Orders contained the following messages:
From the Chief of Air Staff, AIR MARSHAL SIR CHARLES PORTAL:
My heartiest greetings for Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to all ranks of the Royal Air Force and Women’s Auxiliary Air Force at home and overseas. I thank you for the things you have done in the air and on the ground during the past twelve months. Still harder work and still harder fighting are in store for you in 1943, and I know you will answer the calls made upon you as splendidly as you have always done in the past. Good luck to you all.
From the Air Officer Commanding, No. 19 Group, AIR VICE MARSHAL G R BROMET:
Christmas greetings and good wishes for the New Year to all ranks of the Royal Air Force, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, Dominion and Allied Air Forces. For 19 Group, 1942 has been a year of constant hard work and pronounced achievemnt. The enemy sees the writing in the sky from Finisterre to Bishop’s Rock which tells U-boats and blockade-runners of their peril. I am proud of my command, and full of confidence for 1943.

1942-12-30

DALE

F/S K ZIOLKOWSKI, recovered from the severe injuries he received in a motoring accident on 19th July, 1942, returned from convalescence. Wellington aircraft DV735 arrived as replacement from No. 23 M.U. on H.Q. No. 41 Group allotment. F/O P HEDINGER, Armament Officer, proceeded to the Deputy Polish Inspectorate General, BLACKPOOL, for a conference. One crew carried out a shipping search, and later in the day two aircraft afforded A.A. and A/S. protection to a disabled tanker.

1942-12-31

DALE

Capt A. TOMASZEWSKI ceased attachment to the Squadron as Defence Officer and returned to the Polish Land Army. New Year’s Eve dances and receptions were held in the airmen’s and sergeants’ messes. The Squadron Commander and the Officer Commanding R.A.F. Station, DALE, W/C W N PERIOLI, attended, together with a number of guests.

[hand signature: M. Pronaszko] Squadron Leader,
for Wing Commander, Commanding
No. 304 (Polish) Squadron,
Royal Air Force, Dale.