Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-02-01

High Ercall.

As Tern Hill Aerodrome was still in a poor state. The Squadron operated from High Ercall. From here five aircraft took part in Fighter attacks.

Tern Hill

F./O. Witorzenc appointed A/F/Lt. with effect from 22nd November, 1940.

1941-02-02

Tern Hill.

Tern Hill was again serviceable, and 13 aircraft flew to Prestatyn for firing practice at the Prestatyn Range. 8 aircraft flew from High Ercall to Prestatyn for firing, and returned to Turn Hill. P/O. Dabrowski left for London to attend Engineers Conference at Polish Inspectorate, Rubens Hotel.

1941-02-03

Tern Hill.

There was one operational patrol of three aircraft. Two weather tests were made but there was no further flying. P/O. C.P. Cronin detached to Wittering for course of instruction.

1941-02-04

Tern Hill.

12 aircraft took part in fighter attacks and four aircraft in Air - to - ground firing. F/O. Dabrowski returned from Engineers Conference in London.

1941-02-05

Tern Hill.

In the morning 6 aircraft took part in formation flying practice. Weather prevented flying in the afternoon.

1941-02-06

Tern Hill.

5 aircraft took part in firing practice and 9 aircraft carried out fighter attacks. There was one operational patrol of three aircraft lasting for one hour.

1941-02-07

Tern Hill.

4 aircraft operating from High Ercall took part in Cloud flying practice.

1941-02-08

Tern Hill.

There was one operational patrol of three aircraft lasting for 35 minutes but little other activity. C.T.T.B. visited the Station for remustering and reclassifying Polish Airmen.

1941-02-09

Tern Hill.

4 aircraft took part in formation flying.

1941-02-10

Tern Hill.

12 aircraft took part in Squadron Formation practice. One aircraft did S/L co-operations and six aircraft took part in fighter attacks. There was one operational patrol of three aircraft lasting for 20 minutes. At night fourteen aircraft took part in single operational patrols, the first aircraft taking off at 18.45. Three pilots – F/O. Wolinski, Sgt. Slonski and Sgt. Turzanski left the Squadron on posting to 315 Squadron, Acklington.

1941-02-11

Tern Hill.

18 aircraft continued single operational night patrols the last aircraft landing at 06.05 hours, making a total of 31 hrs. 12 mins, for one night 10th – 11th , There was no flying during the day.

1941-02-12

Tern Hill.

One aircraft carried out one operational patrol lasting for 35 minutes.

1941-02-13

Tern Hill.

There was one operational patrol during the day of three aircraft lasting for 10 minutes. At night 7 aircaft carried out single operational patrols in the course of which P/O. Bielkiewicz crashed and was killed, and Sgt. Jasinski crashed and was slightly injured.

1941-02-14

Tern Hill.

8 aircraft carried out formation flying. There was one operational patrol of one aircraft lasting for 15 minutes.

1941-02-15

Tern Hill.

Three aircraft carried out an operational patrol lasting for 50 minutes. Nine aircraft took part in formation flying practices. At night 5 aircraft carried out single patrols, the first aircraft taking off at 19.10 and the last aircraft landing at 20.45 without incident. Sgt. Pilot Jeka, J arrived from 238 Squadron on posting for flying duties.

1941-02-16

Tern Hill.

There were two patrols of three aircraft, the first lasting for 15 minutes and the second for 35 minutes. 6 aircraft took part in firing practice at Prestatyn Range, and 6 aircraft carried out of formation flying.

1941-02-17

Tern Hill.

P/O. Bielkiewicz intervod with Military Honours at Market Drayton. No flying to - day.

1941-02-18

Tern Hill.

There was no flying to – day due to bad weather.

1941-02-19

Tern Hill.

No flying – weather still bad. F/Lt. J. Pentz arrived from Coltishall on posting for Operations Room duties.

1941-02-20

Tern Hill.

Again, no flying to – day.

1941-02-21

Tern Hill.

There were four operational patrols to-day. The first consisting of two aircraft lasted for 45 minutes, the second, also two aircraft, lasted for 1 hour 25 minutes. Three aircraft took part in the third patrol lasting for 1 hour 25 minutes, and three aircraft also took part in the fourth which lasted for 50 minutes. Aircraft landed from all these patrols without incident. Six aircraft carried out fighter attacks, and one aircraft did a long D/F test. Two aircraft had some firing practice shotting down balloons which had broken away from the Crewe barrage. P/O. Cronin returned, from Wittering.

1941-02-22

Tern Hill.

20 aircraft carried out air to ground firing practice at Prestatyn Range.

1941-02-23

Tern Hill.

8 aircraft did homing practice with new V.H.F. apparatus which had just been installed at the Station.

1941-02-24

Tern Hill.

There were two operational patrols of three aircraft. P/O. Rutkowski had to land at Sealand during the first patrol after 40 minutes flying due to too high temperature of oil and glycol, and the other two pilots landed at Tern Hill after being in the air for 1 hour. The second patrol set out to patrol base but were then vectored N. to Crewe. P/O. Pniak landed again after 25 minutes flying owing to failure of his oxygen supply, and F/O. Skiba landed at Lichfield, after [ …… ] 50 minutes flying, due to shortage of fuel. Sgt. Pietrzak landed at base after being in the air for 2 hours 10 minutes.
F/O. H. Skalski arrived from 249 Sqdn. on posting for Operations Room duties. F/O. Dabrowski and F/O. Kamienski went to Polish Depot, Blackpool for discussion on Establishment vacancies following recent visit of C.T.T.B. 8 aircraft also carried out V.H.F. “Homing” practice.

1941-02-25

Tern Hill.

3 aircraft took part in V.H.F. “Homing” practice, and four aircraft did practice dog fighting. P/O. S. Skalski arrived from 501 Sqdn. on posting – duties not stated. S/Ldr. Gillam went to Investiture at Buckingham Palace to receive D.F.C.

1941-02-26

Tern Hill.

Two aircraft took part in “Homing” practice, and 5 aircraft did. dog fighting.

1941-02-27

Tern Hill.

Three aircraft carried out an operational patrol lasting for 28 minutes without incident.

1941-02-28

Tern Hill.

There were two operational patrols off three aircraft. The first patrol were in the air for 15 minutes without incident. The second patrol took off to investigate Raid B.6. They saw only an Anson, the probable cause of the investigation. P/O. Pniak was in the air for 1 ½ hours and P/O. Czapiewski and Sgt. Machowiak for 50 minutes.
F/O. W.P. Gregg left the Squadron on posting to R.A.F. Station, Bagington.