Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-10-01

Northolt.

In the morning eight aircraft took off on an offensive sweep over France, but had to be cancelled because of the weather. A little later the weather improved, and once again eight aircraft took off on an offensive sweep over France, but saw only 8 E-boats three miles N. of Dieppe, and no enemy fighters was sighted.

1941-10-02

Northolt.

Early in the afternoon 8 Aircraft acted as rear cover during an attack by Blenheims on Le Trait, but the bombers abandoned the attack oving to unsuitable weather. The Northolt wing therefore carried out a sweep up channel, but only saw the smoke trails of three enemy aircraft which were too far away to engage. In the evening 3 aircraft carried out, navigation practice to Newton and back, and 3 aircraft took part in low flying practices.

1941-10-03

Northolt.

12 Aircraft acted as forward support wing for Circus 105. They patrolled the Gravelines area for 12 minutes and then withdrew without sighting any enemy aircraft. Formation flying took place in the afternoon in which 6 aircraft took part.

1941-10-04

Northolt.
3 aircraft carried out “ZZ” practices.

1941-10-05

Northolt.

4 Aircraft carried out local flying. F/Lt. PENTZ proceeded on detachment to the Controllers Training Unit at Stanmore for a controllers course. F/O Kamienski nad P/O. B. Kaczmarek proceeded by private car to R.A.F. Station, Speke, to make accommodation arrangements for the movement of the Squadron to that Station. 1 Fl/ Sgt, 6 Sgts., 4 Cpls. and 2 A.C.s. also proceeded to R.A.F.Station Speke by rail to help with the arrangements for taking over the Aircraft equipment etc. from 303 (Polish) Squadron.

1941-10-06

Northolt.

No flying took place as the Squadron was released for the packing of all kit etc. Stores, Equipment and Kit were taken by Lorry to Ickenham Station were everything was landed on to Railway Trucks.

1941-10-07

Northolt.

8 Officers and 142 N.C.O. s and Airmen were conveyed from Northolt to Speke by Rail. 14 Officers, 1 civilian, and 25 N.C.O. s and Airmen proceeded eighter by Private Car or Motor cycle. This movement was carried out in accordance with Headquarters Fihgter Commands instructions. All Aircraft with the exceptions of the Magister together with some of the heavy equipment was handed over to No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, and that Unit dod likewise to 306 (Polish) Squadron on arrival in Speke. Pilot Officer Szpakowicz and Sgt. Pudrycki were detached to Northolt so that as soon as the weather improved they could fly the Magister to Speke. Cpl. Wyrzykowski was detached to Northolt in order to clear up all the pay ledgers, and A.C.2. Dudzinski was also detached to Northolt awaiting District Court Martial. 5 Officers and 8 Sgt./Pilots were posted from No. 61 O.T.U. and 5 Officers were posted from No. 303 (Polish) Squadron. All of these Pilots were posted to the Squadron for training as operational pilots. Several Officers, most of the Polish N.C.O. s. and all English Personnel of this unit had to be accomodated outside the camp in Private Billets. 3 Sgt/ Pilots where also posted from No. 303 (Polish) Squadron to continue training as operational. Pilots.

1941-10-10

Speke.

P/O. Szpakowicz and Sgt. Pudrycki proceeded from Northolt to Speke in the Magister, 24 aircraft carried out Sector Recco. through out the day. 2 Aircraft carried out interception practice.

1941-10-11

Speke.

12 of the new Pilots proceeded on posting to Nos 302, 308. 315, 316, and 317 (Polish) Squadrons with effect from the 10th October, 1941. P/O. R. Malczewski was admitted to Station Sick Quarters and Speke on the 10th. In the morning 4 aircraft carried out formation flying, 2 aircraft took part in practice “Scramble” and Sector Recco., Searchlight Co-operation, Practice Interception, Formation Flying and Local Flying occupied the rest of the day.

1941-10-12

Speke.

Cpl. Wyrzykowski ceased to be detached to Northolt and re-joined the Unit at Speke. Throughout the day aircraft took part in Searchlight Co-operations, Formation Flying, 1 practice “Scramble” practice Interception, Local and Aerobatic flying.

1941-10-13

Speke.

F/O W. Tarnowski proceeded from this unit on posting to No. 3 S.F.T.S. South Carney for Twin Engined Conversion course with effect from the 13th October, 1941.
Two aircraft patrolled over a convoy and returned to base without incident. During the day there was one patrol over Southport, and practice attacks, one practice scramble, searchlight co-operation, formation flying and interception practices were carried out; also 1 “ZZ” tendr test.

1941-10-14

Speke

P/O. R. Malczewski was discharged from Station Sickquarters. Practice attacks, interceptions, scrambles and formation were carried out during the day.

1941-10-15

Speke

F/O. T. Piotrowski and P/O. S. Walczak were posted to Air Crew Training Centre at No. 25 (P) E.F.T.S. Hucknall supernumerary pending posting to ITW. S/Ldr. Wczelik, F/O. Kamienski, F/O. Wiktorczyk, F/Sgt. Jankowiak, F/Sgt. Zwawiak, and Sgt. Kosiedowski proceeded to Northolt to attend a Court Martial.
The flying during the day was confined to Target attacks, practice attacks, local flying, search light co-operation, formation flying, practice scrambles, practice interceptions, aerobatics, plotting exercise and aircraft tests.

1941-10-16

Speke

F/O. O. Kamienski returned from the Court Martial at Northolt. In the morning attacks were carried out on a glider as practice for the Pilots, and F/O Cronin was in the glider when the practice attacks were carried out, in order that he could make in intelligence report later in the day.
There was one practice “Scramble” and in the afternoon “ZZ” landings, practice interceptions, cloud flying, and aircraft tests were carried out. P/O. Z. Langhamer was married at St. Mary’s Parish Church at Haddington, East Lothian.

1941-10-17

Speke

S/Ldr. Wczelik and F/O. Wiktorczyk returned from the Court Martial at Northolt, and also F/Sgt. Zwawiak, F/Sgt. Janowiak, and F/Sgt. Kosiedowski. Between 07.05 hours and 15.50 hours 15 aircraft patrolled in pairs over a Convoy, all aircraft returned to base without incident, during the afternoon 3 aircraft carried out formation attacks. The Squadron Intelligence Officer, F/O. P. Lasota – Gladzik, proceeded to aircrew training centre at No. 25 (P) F.T.S. Hucknall. Super numerary as [u…. ]

1941-10-18

Speke

No flying could be carrier out to-day owing to the bad weather.

1941-10-19

Speke

Practice formation attacks took up best part of the day, but later in the afternoon, formation flying and dog fighting, aerobatics, and a little searchlight co-operation were carried out.

1941-10-20

Speke

During the day fighter attacks practice attacks, aerobatics, formation and dog fighting were carried out.

1941-10-21

Speke

P/O. Zuromski and P/O. Najbicz were posted from No. 55 O.T.U. Ushworth but sent directly on Leave in accordance with Headquarters Fighter Commands instructions. In the morning 4 aircraft carried out practice formation attacks and between the hours of 11.55 and 14.40. 8 aircraft patrolled in pairs over a Convoy. Later in the afternoon practice interceptions, practice “Scrables” and practice dog fighting were carried out.

1941-10-22

Speke

A good deal of non-operational flying was carried out to-day including Sector Recco. during which Sgt. Horn crashed, but was only slightly injured although his machine was wrecked. In the morning practice attacks on Blenheims were carried out, and in the afternoon practice section attacks and dog fighting at 20,000 feet, practice interception and formation flying were carried out.

1941-10-23

Speke

The days flying included practice attacks, practice interceptions and formation flying. F/O. K. Pniak was posted from R.A.F. Station, Northolt on ceasing [to be ] N/E sick. Sgt/Pilot Jasinski was also posted from R.A.F. Station, Northolt on ceasing to be N/E sick.

1941-10-24

Speke

Little flying took place to-day due to the weather, but later in the afternoon 7 aircraft were able to carry out formation flying.

1941-10-25

Speke

F/O. (act. F/L.) J.A. Pentz ceased to be detached to the Controllers Unit at Stanmore, proceeded to Northolt, and them to Halton for a medical board, and finally arrived back to Speke on the 28th of October. Flying for the day included practice attacks, cloud flying, practice bomber interception and dog fighting.

1941-10-26

Speke

F/O Brenk and P/O Drecki proceeded on temporary duty to Blackpool in the Magister. In the morning 12 aircraft carried out to Air to Air target firing at Rhyl, and in the afternoon 8 aircraft again carried out Air to Air target firing at Rhyl.

1941-10-27

Speke

F/O Brenk and P/O Drecki returned from temporary duty at Blackpool in the Magister, but no other flying took place to-day owing to unsuitable weather.

1941-10-28

Speke

At 09.10. hours 1 Operational “Scramble” took place lasting for 30 minutes from which there was nothing to report. Practice cloud flying took place at 25,000 feet and formation and dog fighting and air target firing filled in the rest of the day. At 17.50 hours P/O. Kedzierski and P/O Krzeminski operated from Squires Gate on night flying practice lasting for 40 minutes. S/Ldr. Wczelik took off from Squires Gate at 19.00 hours and carried out 70 minutes practice night flying,
P/O. B.J. Sawiak, F/O. E. Tomanek, Sgt. Jaworowski, Sgt, Lapinski and Sgt. Szwaba were posted from No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth for completion of training as operational Pilots. 1 Corporal and 1 A.C.fitter and 2 L.A.C. Flight Mechs. Were detached to R.A.F. Station, Squires Gate for the night flying which aircraft of this unit would carry out from that station on suitable nights. Instructions were received for the Commissioning of Sgt/Pilot G. Sologub, and he was granted the permanent war rank of P/O. with effect from the 1st October, 1941.

1941-10-29

Speke

A.C.2. Dudzinski was released from close arrest and ceased to be detached to R.A.F. Station Northolt, rejoining this Unit at Speke. P/O. Z. Zmigrodski proceeded to Halton to appear before a Medical Board. In the morning practice interception at 30,000 feet was carried out together with some Army Co-operational flying, dog fighting, practice ground attacks, and high flying at 32,000 feet.
At 16.30 hours P/O. Gorniak and P/O. Mickiewicz carried out an operational “Scramble” and were air borne for 30 minutes during which no enemy aircraft was sighted. Between the hours of 18.30 and 20.40 P/O. Langhamer, P/O. Flisnik, P/O. Landsman and F/Lt. Ranoszek carried out night flying practice.

1941-10-30

Speke

2 Aircraft carried out a patrol over a Convoy and returned with nothing to report.

1941-10-31

Speke

P/O. Z. Zmigrodski returned from the Medical Board at Halton. At 15.05 hours Sgt. Kosmowski and F/O. Arct patrolled at of base at 30,000 feet. A “Bandit” was in the vincinity, but the weather was very cloudy, and the section was unable to locate him. P/O. Gorniak and F.O Rutkowski took of from Squires Gate at 18.40. hours and carried out 1 hours night flying practice.