Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-05-01

Lasham

Eight aircraft made test flights and two compass swings made (6.00 hours), one aircraft flew to Swanton Morley & return (Oxford 3.20 hours) and one Mosquito flew to Tollerton & return (1.35 hours).
OPERATION No. 258. SIX aircraft were detailed for “Flowers” and Bombing of airfields in France & Belgium. Aircraft “T”, F/L. McEwan & F/O. Archer failed to return, W/O. Banaszuk failed to identify his target and returned with bombs. F/L. Rach bombed an unknown airfield and flew home on one engine his port engine having been hit by flak. The other three crews bombed their respective targets.

1944-05-02

Lasham

Two aircraft made cross-country flights 3.00 hours, one carried out air-to-sea firing (1.35 hours), three aircraft practised S.E. flying and three made X.C. flights (3.45 hours), Oxford aircraft flew to Weston Zoyland and return (1.20 hours).

1944-05-03

Lasham

One aircraft took off for night X.C. but returned after 25 mins due to weather conditions. One a/c flew to Bicester & return 50 mins., 3 test flights made (1.35) and one Gee training flight made (2.00). Oxford aircraft flew to Carew C. & return (2.40).

1944-05-04

Lasham

Two night cross-country flights carried out (4.05 hrs) and one aircraft made test flight 30 mins.

1944-05-05

Lasham

Four aircraft practised formation flying (2.40), four carried out Gee practice (4.15) and two made test flights (1.25 hrs).

1944-05-06

Lasham

Seven test flights were made (4.00), one carried out air firing and one practised low level bombing (2.20 hrs). Oxford aircraft carried out test and 45 mins Gee training.
OPERATION No. 259. FOUR aircraft carried out patrol and night bombing of two enemy airfields in France and all crews carried out their allotted tasks.

1944-05-07

Lasham

Two night cross-country flights (4.40) and one by day (2.10) carried out. Seven aircraft carried out test flights and two made compass swings (3.50) and one carried out air to sea firing 1 hour.
The Oxford aircraft carried out 3 hours Gee training. Two aircraft carried out Night Fighter exercise (2.20 hours).
OPERATION No. 260. FOUR aircraft made a successful night bombing attack on airfields in France.

1944-05-08

Lasham

Oxford aircraft flew to Gravesend & return (2.00) and carried out 1.10 hours Gee training. Ten a/c carried out tests and compass swings (7.35) and one carried out N.F. exercise (1.15 hours).
OPERATION No. 261. TWO aircraft made night bombing attack and patrolled for 30 minutes St. Trond airfield. P/O. Huck successfully carried out his mission, but W/O. Cesarz was compelled to return to Base from the Dutch Coast owing to one engine being unserviceable.

1944-05-09

Lasham

Three aircraft made cross-country flight No. 10 by night (6.05 hours), five aircraft tests made (2.35) and two compass swings 55 mins. Oxford aircraft flew Dunmow & return (1.40) and one aircraft ferried from Dunmow. Two a/c flew Tempsford & return (2.00) and one aircraft to Benson & return 30 mins.
OPERATION No. 262. FOUR aircraft detailed for night bombing & patrol of 30 minutes of airfields in France. All aircraft attacked their respective targets except F/L. Suszynski who jettisoned his bombs in the Channel and returned to Base owing to GEE failure.

1944-05-10

Lasham

Eleven test flights carried out (4.45), one aircraft practised low level bombing 40 mins, and one a/c carried out air to sea firing 1.00, two compass swings were made (1.00), one aircraft flew to Peplow and return (1.20) and one aircraft was flown to Northolt (30 mins.).
OPERATION No. 263. TWO aircraft briefed for bombing, and THREE aircraft for “RANGER”, the targets being airfields in France and all aircraft successfully completed their allotted tasks.

1944-05-11

Lasham

Eleven aircraft carried out test flights (5.50) and three aircraft made compass swings (1.50). 3 aircraft carried out Night Fighter Exercise (3.15).
OPERATION No. 264. FOURTEEN aircraft made night bombing attacks on airfields in France and all a/c bombed their respective targets except F/O. Atkins, F/L. Lansdell, F/O. Wilson & W/O Mitchell who failed to identify their targets and jettisoned their bombs in the sea. W/O Cesarz failed to identify and bombed alternative target.

1944-05-12

Lasham

Oxford aircraft flew to Cambridge & return for funeral of Sgt West and one aircraft flew to Zeal & return for the funeral of F/L. Hole. Two tests were made (1.00) and one aircraft carried out Gee training (2.05), one compass swing made (1.00), one V.H.F. test flight (.45 mins) and one a/c flown to Hatfield.

1944-05-13

Lasham

Eleven test flights were made (6.00) and one compass swing (1.00 hour).

1944-05-14

Lasham

Fourteen test flights were made (7.45) and one GH bombing practice carried out (2.30). Oxford a/c flew to Hucknall and return Gee training (2.00).
OPERATION No. 265. FOURTEEN aircraft were detailed for night bombing attack on airfields in France, but owing to poor weather conditions four aircraft failed to locate target and jettisoned bombs in sea, F/L. Suszynski & F/L. Hester returned to base shortly after taking off due to a/c being unserviceable. F/L. Rawicz bombed alternative target and W/O. Cesarz returned to base with bombs. The remaining crews bombed their respective targets.

1944-05-15

Lasham

The AOC in C. of Polish Air Force, Air Vice Marshall M. Izycki and his staff visited the Squadron and the AVM spent the night under canvas with the Squadron, leaving the next morning.
One aircraft flew to Swanton Morley & return and one to Hornchurch and back (2.20), 7 test flights made (3.10), one compass swing 30 mins and one practised GH bombing (2.25).

1944-05-16

Lasham

Two aircraft carried out night fighter exercise (1.35) one aircraft flew to Swanton Morley & return (2.00) and one to Syerston & return (1.45). One test flight made 10 mins and one aircraft GH bombing practice D.N.C.O. (1.00).

1944-05-17

Lasham

No flying was carried out due to adverse weather.

1944-05-18

Lasham

Oxford aircraft flew to Benson & return and to Gravesend & return (2.10). Four aircraft carried out GH bombing practice (6.30), two aircraft tests made and two compass swings (2.15).

1944-05-19

Lasham

Three aircraft practised GH bombing (7.00), 13 test flights made (6.20), two compass swings 55 mins and Oxford a/c Gee practice for 55 mins.
Operation No. 266. EIGHT aircraft briefed for bombing and FOUR aircraft for “Flowers” the targets being airfields in France. F/L. SUSZYNSKI failed to locate target & jettisoned bombs and also F/L Hester and F/O Suckling located but as there was lack of activity he also jettisoned bombs. F/L Kaluza bombed alternative target and F/L Lansdell had Gee failure when 13 miles from target and jettisoned his bombs. Remaining crews carried out their allotted tasks.

1944-05-20

Lasham

Oxford aircraft flew to Hornchurch & return (1.20), 13 test flights made (6.00) and two a/c flew on night “Flares” exercise (D.N.C.O. 1.25 hours).

1944-05-21

Lasham

Eleven aircraft made test flights (4.20).
OPERATION No. 267. F/L HESTER took off for daylight GH bombing attack on Ground Construction Works in France and located his target. He did not bomb owing to GH being u/s and jettisoned his bombs in the sea.
OPERATION No. 268. TWO aircraft took off for dusk attack on Venlo airfield. W/O Banaszuk bombed target & attacked City of Wankum by cannon fire. F/L Rach identified target too late & jettisoned bombs in sea.
OPERATION No. 269. NINE aircraft were briefed for “Flowers”, the targets being airfields in France & Holland. F/L Kalusza returned to base with bombs shortly after crossing Dutch Coast due to burning generator and F/O Atkins did not identify target and jettisoned bombs in sea. W/O Jablonowski bombed alternative target and remaining crews successfully bombed their respective targets.

1944-05-22

Lasham

Oxford aircraft flew to Swanton Morley & return (2.10). Eleven aircraft carried out test flights (4.05 hours), one made cross-country flight (1.40) and one practised GH bombing 50 mins.
OPERATION No. 270. TEN aircraft were detailed for a night bombing attack in Holland and France. F/L Rach did not bomb owing to failure of V.H.F., and F/L Kolacz failed to release his bombs and returned with them to base. All other crews successfully attacked their respective targets.

1944-05-23

Lasham

Ten aircraft test flights were made (7.00) and one compass swing 30 mins. Seven aircraft made X.C. flight No. 10 by night (12.10).

1944-05-24

Lasham

Twelve aircraft carried out test flights (7.00) and one practised GH bombing (1.50 hours) and four night cross-country flights were made (5.05).
OPERATION No. 271. EIGHT aircraft carried out bombing attack by night on airfields in Holland & France. F/L Kolacz crashed on coming in to land and he and Sgt Kruszynski were killed. F/O LATAWIEC and P/O Wator failed to return. P/O Huck attacked secondary target and also W/O Jablonowski and F/L Suszynski returned to Base owing to generator failure when 6 miles from English coast. F/L Gawronski jettisoned his bombs in sea as there was no activity in target area.

1944-05-25

Lasham

Oxford a/c flew to Hatfield & return (1.05) and one aircraft was flown from Hatfield 20 mins. Nine test flights were carried out (4.20).

1944-05-26

Lasham

Four test flights were made (2.05) and four aircraft practised Gee training (3.15). One aircraft flew to Faldingworth & return and one aircraft was flown to Hornchurch (2.35).

1944-05-27

Lasham

Sixteen aircraft carried out test flights, one a/c flew to Newton & return for the funeral of the Polish Crew which crashed and one GH bombing practice (not carried out) (2.15).
OPERATION No. 272. SIX aircraft took off for “Flowers” attack on airfields in France. S/L Orlinski failed to take off owing to failure of one engine, and all aircraft bombed their respective target except F/O Bilau who jettisoned his bombs in the sea owing to lack of activity in the T/A.

1944-05-28

Lasham

Five aircraft took part in “Nightlights” exercise (4.20), two carried out GH bombing practice (2.55), two compass swings were made and two aircraft test flights (2.25). Two aircraft carried out air to sea firing (2.20) and Oxford aircraft flew to Colerne & return (1.05).

1944-05-29

Lasham

Five aircraft carried out GH bombing practice (7.25), six test flights were made (3.05) and the Oxford a/c flew to Hooton Park and return (2.45).

1944-05-30

Lasham

Fifteen test flights were carried out (7.15) and one a/c flew to Faldingworth & return (1.20). One GH bombing practice made 1.05 and one compass swing 35 mins. A cross-country flight (1.30) was also carried out. Oxford flew to Horne, Hatfield & return (1.25).

1944-05-31

Lasham

One night X.C. was made (1.10) and one C & L by night (1.10) 12 test flights were carried out (6.20) and two aircraft carried out GH bombing practice (2.50 hours).

SUMMARY OF MOVEMENTS OF OFFICERS & AIRMAN AIRCREW

OFFICERS

1.5.44
F/O. R.L. ARCHER, PILOT Posted to War Cas. N/E. Accts. (missing)
F/L. A.M. McEWAN, NAV. “”
2.5.44
F/L. W. POMASKI, A & S D posted to No. 72 M.T.L.R.U.
7.5.44
F/O. H KOLACZ, PILOT posted from No. 60 O.T.U.
F/O. C. MASLANKIEWICZ, NAV. “”
F/L. E. SUSZYNSKI, PILOT. “”
F/L. W.G. HOLE, PILOT. Died as the result of a flying accident.
22.5.44
F/L. T. GAWRONSKI, PILOT. Posted from No. 13 O.T.U.
F/O. M. LATAWIEC, PILOT. “”
P/O. S.W. WATOR, NAV. “”
F/O. Z. JASINSKI, PILOT. “”
F/L. T.L. KRATKE, PILOT “”
23.5.44
P/O. W. ANDRUSZKO, NAV. Posted from No. 60 O.T.U.
F/O. J. BILAU, PILOT. “”
S/L. S. GRODZICKI, PILOT. “”
F/O. A. GERTNER, PILOT. “”
F/L. A. SOLECKI, NAV. “”
F/O. A. SZAJDZICKI, NAV. “”
F/L. A. WIDAWSKI, PILOT. “”
S/L. W. ZANIEWSKI, NAV. “”
25.5.44
F/L. H. KOLACZ, PILOT. Died as the result of aircraft crash.
F/O. M. LATAWIEC, PILOT. Posted to War Cas. N/E Accts (missing)
P/O. S.W. WATOR, NAV. “”
28.4.44
F/L. M. ADUCKIEWICZ, NAV. Posted to 138 Wing (supernumerary)

AIRMEN

7.5.44
SGT. E.T. WEST, NAV. Died as the result of an aircraft crash.
SGT. J. TRZNADEL, NAV. Posted from No. 60 O.T.U.
SGT. F. KRUSZYNSKI, NAV. “”
W/O. B. KOBYLEC, PILOT. “”
22.5.44
SGT. F. LOREK, NAV. Posted from No. 13 O.T.U.
SGT. T. SZCZUROWSKI, NAV. “”
W/O. M. KITA, PILOT. “”
SGT. J.N. MALANOWICZ, NAV. “”
SGT. S. FRAS, PILOT. “”
SGT. A.J. MIKOLAJCZAK, NAV. “”
SGT. J. HALKIEW, PILOT. “”
SGT. T. PYTEL, NAV. “”
SGT. E. MELCHERT, NAV. “”
23.5.44
F/S. J.E. BRADSHAW, NAV. Posted from No. 60 O.T.U.
F/S. A. LEEMING, PILOT. “”
SGT. S. ETHERINGTON, PILOT. “”
F/S. C.A. RATTRAY, NAV. “”
25.5.44
SGT. F. KRUSZYNSKI, NAV. Died as the result of an aircraft crash.
30.5.44
F/S. J.E. BRADSHAW, NAV. Posted to No. 107 Squadron.
F/S. A. LEEMING, PILOT. “”
SGT. S. ETHERINGTON, PILOT. “”
F/S. C.A. RATTRAY, NAV. “”

PROMOTIONS OF OFFICERS AND AIRMAN AIRCREW

F/S. F. BAKALARSKI, PILOT promoted to rank of T/W/O. wef. 11.4.44.
SGT. E.E.B. SIMMS, NAV. promoted to rank of T/F/S. wef. 23.1.44.
SGT. F.D. HAWKINS, PILOT promoted to rank of T/F/S. wef. 3.4.44.
F/S. M.N. MITCHELL, PILOT promoted to rank of T/W/O. wef. 1.5.44.
F/O. A.N. WILSON, PILOT promoted to rank of F/Lt. wef. 10.4.44.
P/O. E.O. DAVIES, NAV. promoted to rank of F/O. wef. 10.4.44.
P/O. J.H. SIDDELL, NAV. promoted to rank of F/O. wef. 9.4.44.
F/O. H. KOLACZ, PILOT promoted to rank of F/Lt. wef. 12.1.44.

TOTAL FLYING HOURS

MOSQUITO VI.

Operational
Day: 1 sortie, 1.15 hours
Night: 108 sorties, 289.55 hours

Non-operational
Day: 356 sorties, 236.00 hours
Night: 33 sorties, 44.30 hours

OXFORD II.

Operational
Nil.
Non-operational
Day: 39 sorties, 35.10 hours