Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-05-01

Syerston

A fine day. Wind 15/20 M.P.H., moderating N. Easterly. Five crews were prepared for an operation, but at 17-45 the order was cancelled because of unfavourable weather conditions in the target area.

1941-05-02

Syerston

Wind N. Easterly 15/20 M.P.H. fine and sunny. – Operation No. 2. Seven aircraft captained by F/Lt. K. KIELICH, P/O. M. JONIKAS, Sgt. OSTROWSKI, Sgt. DORMAN, Sgt. LEWEK, Sgt. TREMBACKOWSKI, bombed the industrial centre of EMDEN. Visibility over the target area was cloudy but a number of fires were observed as a result of level attacks made from 16,000 to 19,000 feet. One aircraft could not locate the primary target owing to cloud and dropped its load on the railway at GRONINGEN. Wellington, No. 1214 “N” failed to return to base. Captain, Pilot Officer J. Nogal. A weak signal at 02-32 hours picked up by SEALAND D/F Station being the last message received. One aircraft took off but permission to proceed was not given as the W/T set was not functioning properly.

1941-05-03

Syerston

Weather fine, Wind N. to N.E. 10/15 M.P.H. Pilot Officer (Acting W/Cdr.) J. Jankowski attached to R.A.F. BINBROOK for temporary duty.

1941-05-04

Syerston

Fine, sunny clear, Wind northerly less than 10 M.P.H. Operation No. 3 in excellent weather, the bright moonlight providing perfect visibility, six aircraft captained by S/Ldr. S Scibior, F/Lt. Kielich, P/O. M. Jonikas and Sgts. Dorman, Molata and Lewek, bombed the docks at Le Havre, level attacks being made at from 14,500 to 18,000 feet. Many bursts were observed on the quays, one causing a very large explosion, and numerous small fires were started by our incendiaries. Wellington No. 1016 “A” Captain P/O. Jonikas was attacked on two occasions by a single enemy aircraft. The pilot took evasive action, and the rear gunner fired a short burst at the second enemy aircraft. Both gave up their attack – P/O. J. Bzowski (Pilot) proceeded to R.A.F. MILDENHALL for course of instruction in standard Blind Approach Flying.

1941-05-05

Syerston

A dull day. Flying Officer J. L. Moore D.F.C. and three pilots flew to No. 24 M.U. TERN-HILL and collected three Wellington aircraft Nos. 5721 “H” 5722 “N” 5726 “Q”.

1941-05-06

Syerston

A fine, bright day. Wind N.E. 5/10 M.P.H. – Operation No. 4. Commencing at 22-05 hours and taking off at 5 minute intervals 5 aircraft again attacked the harbour and docks at Le HAVRE. The weather, 8/10ths to 10/10ths. Cloud over the target, was unfavourable for the observation of results, but sufficient bursts were seen to indicate that a fair amount of damage was done, several very large explosions being reported by aircraft 1017 “K”, Captain Sgt. Molata, L. and it is believed that one stick dropped near the SCHEINDER WORKS. Wellington 2506 “M” Captained by Sgt. Lewek, S. being unable to find the primary target owing to thick cloud, attacked the docks at CHERBURG.

1941-05-07

Syerston

Fine weather, Wind N. to N.E. 10/15 M.P.H. ANSON Training aircraft No. 9807 “U” returned to No. 15 O.T.U. HARWELL from whom it had been borrowed, after having rendered extremely valuable service as a trainer particularly to navigators during advanced operational training.

1941-05-08

Syerston

Wind Northerly 10 M.P.H. Visibility moderate to good. [Crossed out] P/O. Hopper arrived on posting to the Squadron for educational duties. [/Crossed out] – Operation No. 4B Seven aircraft took part on a bombing raid on BREMEN, Captains were F/O. Moore with a British Crew, S/Ldr. S. Scibior, F/Lt. Kielich, P/O. Jonikas and Sgts. Dorman, Lewek and Trembaczowski. Attacks were made between 11,000 and 16,00 feet except in the case of Wellington 1697 “J” Captained by F/O. Moore which bombed at 6,000 feet in a dive attack from 9,000 feet, owing to a heating failure. Visibility was mainly excellent and a bright moon, only slight cloud and a little haze. A number of bursts on the target were noted and one medium fire. Fires already burning on arrival prevented results of our own incendiaries being properly seen. Wellington 5726 “Q” could not be flown above 11,000 feet and consequently the captain decided to attack an alternative target, selecting an A.A. Battery at De.KOOY. Wellington 1322 “F” failed to return from its mission and no message of any kind has been received from it.

1941-05-09

Syerston

Fine, light variable wind broken cloud at 20,000 feet. Nothing to report.

1941-05-10

Syerston

Weather fine. N.E. wind 10 M.P.H. Two Wellington 1c aircraft collected No. W.5723 from No. 10 M.U. and No. R.1592 from No. 8 M.U. – Operations Nos. 6 & 7. Four aircraft were detailed to attack targets at HAMBURG and two “freshmen” crews at EMDEN. The senior crews were captained by S/Ldr. Scibior, F/Lt. Kielich and Sgts. Trembaczowski and Lewek, the “freshmen” crews by F/O. K. Zaucha and P/O. Zakrzewski. The weather over both target areas was clear with slight haze. At HAMBURG fires were started but many fires were already burning on the arrival of our own aircraft making observation difficult. One aircraft attacked a secondary target, CLOPPENBURG TOWN, bombs falling in the town centre, and one was obliged to return to base before reaching the target owing to the sickness of its captain. Of the three “freshmen”, one returned to base from the English Coast as the aircraft would not climb above 12,500 feet, the second reached its target and released its load form 17,000 feet.

1941-05-11

Syerston

Fine but hazy weather slight cloud, wind S.W. light. The following promotions were notified: - 564753 T/Sgt. W.E.M. PERRY, M.H. to Temporary Flight Sergeant, Cpl. F/Armourer FRYER, K.J. to Temporary Sergeant both with effect from 1/5/41.

1941-05-12

Syerston

A similar day – wind N. W. 5-15 M.P.H. – Operation No. 8. Four aircraft, captains F/O. Moore with a British crew, S/Ldr. B Kleczynski, O/O. Bzowski and Sgt. Mikszo, J. detailed to attack target at MANNHEIM. F/O. Moore in the first aircraft took off at 22-10 hours, and at 00-10 hours on 13/5/41 was attacked by an Me110. F/O. Jeremy opened fire fist at 250 yards and the enemy aircraft turned away and was not seen again. Enemy shell fire however hit our aircraft’s tail fin and the pilot found difficulty in controlling his aircraft. As a consequence, bombs were dropped on LIMBURG and the aircraft turned towards base, landing at MARHAM. Wellington 1228 “E” (P/O. Bzowski) reached the target and observed a large fire as a result of this attack. The remaining two aircraft had to abandon the primary target and instead bombed SOIGNIES AERODROME and a road junction at OBERSTEIN, both reporting fires started.

1941-05-13

Syerston

Cloudy, Wind Westerly 10-15 M.P.H. Nothing to report.

1941-05-14

Syerston

Cold occlusion moves South through this area resulting in cloudy overcast weather with rain commencing at mid-day. The following promotions were notified:- 782260 Sgt. F/Arm(1) MATUSZAK, S. promoted Acting Flight Sergeant Paid. 782525 Cpl. W.E.M. (1) DUDKOWIAK, F. promoted Acting Sergeant Paid. 782526 Sgt. W.E.M. (1) SZERMENT, S. Promoted Acting Flight Sergeant Paid. 782253 Lac. Fitt.IIA(1) ROGUSZKA, T. promoted to Acting Corporal Paid. 782225 Lac. Fitt:.IIA(1) PRZYBYLA, M. promoted to Acting Corporal Paid. 782276 Cpl. Elect: I (1) WICHEREK, S. promoted to Acting Sergeant Paid.

1941-05-15

Syerston

Fine, cold, wind N. 10-15 M.P.H. Cloudy with showers. Two British Leading aircraftmen Fitters II.E. posted to No. 23 O.T.U. PERSHORE to fill Corporal vacancies.

1941-05-16

Syerston

Wind W.N.W. – W.S.W. 5-10 M.P.H. increasing to 10-15 M.P.H. after noon. Nothing to report.

1941-05-17

Syerston

Moderate wind, South Westerly. Cloudy.
Operations Nos 9 & 10. – Four aircraft detailed to attack COLOGNE (Captains – F/Lt. K. KIELICH, P/O. J. BZOWSKI, and SGTS. SIEMINSKI, W. and MOLATA, L.) and three (Freshmen) the docks and shipping at BOULOGNE (Captains – F/Lt. T. STEFANICKI, P/O. K. ZAUCHA, and P/O. R. ZAKRZEWSKI) Level attacks on COLOGNE from 16,000 feet to 18,000 feet caused fires and one large explosion. A large building such as a warehouse was seen to be in flames. Owing to the temporary failure of his starboard engine, Sgt. MOLATA landed at FELTWELL on return. At BOULOGNE bursts were observed on the dockside. The weather was clear apart from ground mist, but very dark. One of the “freshmen” crews could not locate the primary target at BOULOGNE owing to the darkness and attacked DESVRES AERODROME.

1941-05-18

Syerston

Fine, clear, warm. Light variable wind 5-10 M.P.H. P/O. S. DASZYNSKI, Interpreter, posted to R.A.F. Polish Depot, BLACKPOOL. One British Sergeant Armourer arrives on posting from overseas.

1941-05-19

Syerston

Continuous rain, wind N.N.E. 10-15 M.P.H. One Polish Sergeant Pilot attached to R.A.F. MILDENHALL for Course of instruction in Blind Approach Flying.

1941-05-20

Syerston

Overcast. Wind N/N.N.E. 5-15 M.P.H. Nothing to report.

1941-05-21

Syerston

Fog at first clearing slowly, becoming fair. Light wind S.W. Nothing to report.

1941-05-22

Syerston

Cloudy with intermittent light rain. Wind W.S.W./W. 10-15 M.P.H. Nothing to report.

1941-05-23

Syerston

Southerly Wind 25-30 M.P.H. gusty. Gale warning received at 09-45 hours. Nothing to report.

1941-05-24

Syerston

Westerly Wind 10-20 m.p.h. Partly cloudy becoming overcast with rain. Six senior crews prepared for operations but order cancelled owing to weather conditions.

1941-05-25

Syerston

Mainly fair, cloudy. Wind W. 10-15 m.p.h. Nothing to report.

1941-05-26

Syerston

Cloudy. P/O. BARZDO detached for Range security duty at WAINFLEET SANDS. Information received that F/O. Ll. RICHARDS, Education Officer, who had previously worked in the Squadron on detachment from R.A.F. Station, BLACKPOOL is now posted w.e.f. 21/4/41.

1941-05-27

Syerston

Fine, cloudy, light variable wind. – 628452 Cpl. Clerk G/D BOSSY, A. G. leaves the unit prior to reporting for duty at R.A.F. Station LOUGHBOROUGH on appointment to commission in the A.&S.D. Branch. OPERATION No. 11 – Three aircraft, Captains S/Ld. B. KLECZYNSKI, F/Lt. STEFANCKI and P/O. ZAKRZEWSKI attacked docks and shipping at BOULOGNE. Level attacks were made at 15,000 feet to 17,400 feet, all aircraft finding the target. But owing to patches of fog and cloud accurate bombing and observation of results was difficult. Several bursts however were seen on the Western Side of Wet Dock and one medium fire was noted, from our aircraft attack.

1941-05-28

Syerston

Fine and warm. Wind Easterly 5-15 m.p.h. - 550367 Sergt. W.Op.A/G. TRUSCOTT, J. D. promoted T/Flight Sergeant w.e.f. 1/4/41. 358184 Corpl. A.C.H. G/D Brown, P. promoted T/Sergeant w.e.f. 1/4/41.

1941-05-29

Syerston

Overcast with rain late in the day. Wind 10-15 m.p.h. Nothing to report.

1941-05-30

Syerston

Overcast. Wind N.N.E. 10-15 m.p.h. Aerodrome unserviceable. Nothing to report.

1941-05-31

Syerston

Cloudy with general fog at first, fine later. Wind, Northerly 5-10 m.p.h. Nothing to report.

Report on Training

FLYING TRAINING. A few final day cross country flight were made to complete the training of “freshmen” crews. The main work has covered Instrument Flying by almost all pilots, wireless training and practice in obtaining bearings and fixes. Particular attention has been given to practise in ZZ approaches and the less experienced crews have been given full opportunity thoroughly to grasp the procedure. Satisfactory Lorenz landings at WADDINGTON have been made by pilots who have completed the S.B.A. Course.

GROUND TRAINING for air crews has included lectures on engines and turret manipulation, and Signals procedure. Air gunner have had practice with the turret on the 25 yard range. Other instruction has covered aircraft identification, range estimation, operation of the night camera and dinghy drill. Navigators have studied the Astrograph, practice asto sights have been taken. Lectures on “Duties of air gunners as distinct from their primary role in the turret” and “the use of petrol” have also been given.

The total flying hours for the month were:-

Day Night
172 256

Strength of the Squadron as at :-
P O L I S H B R I T I S H
1st. May 1941 Officers 54 Officers 6
Airmen 264 Airmen 58

31st. May 1941 Officers 50 Officers 7
Airmen 257 Airmen 57