Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-12-01

Speke

P/O. O. KAMIENSKI the Squadron Interpretter was admitted to Paderewski Hospital, Edinburgh.
In the morning 10 aircraft took part in low flying practice attacks, and eight aircraft carried out patrols over a convoy. During these patrols Sgt. ROZWORSKI lost himself in clouds due to bad visibility and landed at Silloth. He took of again without refuelling and had to make a forced landing on the Beach at Blackpool, slightly demaging the aircraft.
In the afternoon P/O. Drecki and Sgt. Horn carried out some local flying in the Magister.

1941-12-02

Speke

P/O. PIRSZEL proceeded to R.A.F. Polish Depot, Blackpool on temporary duty.

1941-12-04

Speke

P/O. SENDOREK proceeded to Northolt on temporary duty to see the Engineer officer of No. 308 Squadron.

1941-12-05

Speke

In the morning eight aircraft took off from Speke to carry out Air to Air firing target practice at Blackpool. At Lyneham St. Annes SGT. PUDRYCKI crashed and was killed.

1941-12-06

Speke

In the morning 10 aircraft carrier out Formation flying.

1941-12-07

Speke

12 aircraft took part in Sector recco throughout the day. Two aircraft also carried out practice attacks.
F/O. SENDOREK proceeded from Northolt to Churchstanton on temporary duty to see the Engineer Officer of No. 316 Squadron.

1941-12-08

Speke

Six aircraft took part in an operational Scramble – point 3, Angels 5 – and all returned to base without incident.
F/O. SENDOREK returned to Liverpool.

1941-12-09

Speke

Throughout the day 8 aircraft took part in Squadron formation and low flying practices.

1941-12-10

Speke

(11th ) Two aircraft took part in an Operational “Scramble” – Prestatyn – and returned to base without incident. The Squadron was due to move to Churchstanton on the 12th, and on this day the advance party left as follow. 1 Officer and 11 Airmen by private motor wehicles, and 26 N.C.O.s and airmen by rail. 1 aircraft carried out local flying and there was one aircraft test on the 10th.

1941-12-11

Speke

Two aircraft took part in an Operational “Scramble” as shown above, against the 10th. Nine officers and one airmen proceeded to Churchstanton (Movement of Squadron) by private car, and 6 officers and 134 N.C.Os and airmen by rail.

1941-12-12

Speke

Two aircraft carried out local flying. 3 Officers and one airmen proceeded by private car from Speke to Churchstanton (Movement of Squadron). Cpl. Wyrzykowski, Clk. accts., was detached to Speke to balance the ledger sheets for the Squadron. Sgt. Zolcinski was posted to No. 308 (Polish) Squadron, Woodwale for flying duties. Cpl. Switala, parachute packer, was detached to No. 12 School of T.T. for Dinghy packer and Maintenance course at Melksham. P/O. J. Zbrozek was posted to No. 317 (Polish) Squadron, Exeter, for flying duties.

1941-12-13

Churchstanton

11 aircraft took part in sector recco during the afternoon.

1941-12-14

Churchstanton

F/O. SZYSZKOWSKI was detached to No. 2 School of Air Navigation at cranage for Short Navigation Instructors course.

1941-12-15

Churchstanton

P/O. GORNIAK ceased to be detached to No. 2 School of Air Navigation at Cranage and rejoined his Unit. Five officers proceeded from Speke to Churchstanton (Movement of Squadron) by private car, having remained at Speke at “Readiness” until 308 Sqdn. arrived to take over.
In the morning 14 aircraft took parts in sector recco. S/Ldr. Wczelik proceeded to Exeter for practice homing. In the afternoon 12 aircraft took part in Flight Formation flying practice.

1941-12-16

Churchstanton

P/O. SZPAKOWICZ flew the Magister from Speke to Churchstanton (Movement of Squadron). The rear party consisting of 16 N.C.Os. and airmen proceeded from Speke to Churchstanton.
In the morning 11 aircraft took part in Squadron Battle formation flying and climbing practice.
Two aircraft carried out Interceptions practice. In the afternoon two aircraft carried out sector recco, and five aircraft took part in Flight formation flying and attacks. Six aircraft carried out formation flying to and from Exeter.

1941-12-17

Churchstanton

Six aircraft carried out an operational patrol over a Convoy. They took off in pairs from 09.40 hrs. to 14.05 hrs. In the afternoon four aircraft took part in Sector recco., two Photo attacks and F/O. Rutkowski carried out practice attacks and practice homing.

1941-12-18

Churchstanton

Five aircraft took of from Bolt Head to cover the return of the bombers from Brest. Operation “Veracity I”. They acted as Rear Support Wing and patrolled to 80 miles of Bolt Head. They dived and engaged E/A which were attacking our bombers, F/O. Rutkowski and Sgt. Kosmowski each destroying one Me.109 (F). Six aircraft also carried out an operational patrol South of Plymouth inn protection of Rescue Boats. All returned safely from these operations without incident.

1941-12-19

Churchstanton

Four airman (fitters) were detached to R.A.F.Station, BOLT HEAD. Four aircraft carried out an operational patrol over a Convoy from 15.40 hrs. to 17.25. hrs. At 12.10 hrs. F/O. Rutkowski and Sgt. Smigielski carried out a “Scramble” – Base at 20,000 feet. There was nothing to report from both operations. There were two aircraft tests and two aircraft carried out local flying.
Cpl. Wyrzykowski ceased to be detached to Speke and rejoined his Unit a Churchstanton.

1941-12-20

Churchstanton

No flying. Bad weather.

1941-12-21

Churchstanton

No flying. Bad weather.
Sgt. Kroczynski (Pilot) proceeded to Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead for Medical Examination.

1941-12-22

Churchstanton

No flying. Bad weather.
Four airmen (fitters) ceased to be detached to Bolt Head.

1941-12-23

Churchstanton

13 aircraft proceeded to Bolt Head for Operation “Veracity II” but the weather was not favourable for the Operation. The aircraft stayed at Bolt Head for the night. Sgt. Jasinski proceeded to Northolt in the Magister.

1941-12-24.

Churchstanton

11 aircraft returned from Bolt Head, and Sgt. Jasinski returned from Northolt in the Magister. Two F/Mechs., two Fitters, one Wireless Mech., and one Armouer were detached to Bolt Head.

1941-12-25

Churchstanton

12 aircraft proceeded to Bolt Head once again for “VERACITY II” operation, but the weather was again unfavourable. P/O. GORNIAK carried out a test flight and P/O. Zmigrodski flew to Exeter and back and then to Bolt Head and back. The aircraft remaianed at Bolt Head.

1941-12-26

Churchstanton

P/O. Gorniak proceeded by air to and from Exeter twice. Sgt. Kosmowski went to and from Warmwell by air, and F/Lt. Ranoszek carried out one a/c test.

1941-12-27

Churchstanton

No flying. Bad weather.

1941-12-28

Churchstanton

No flying. Bad weather.

1941-12-29

Churchstanton

13 aircraft returned from Bolt Head at 13.00 hrs. and returned to Bolt Head again at 15.20 hrs.

1941-12-30

Churchstanton

To-day the weather was favourable to carry out Operation “Veracity II” and the aircraft were all ready at Bolt Head. 12 aircraft took off from Bolt Head at 13.30 hrs. to act as Rear Support Wing cover to Brest, and were on patrol at 13,500 feet 10 miles from the French Coast, North of Brest. At 14.10 hrs. they sighted ahead an 1,000 feet below our returning bombers which were being attacked by approx. 20 Me. 109s. The Squadron attacked the Me. 109s. and during the combats which ensued, F/O Rutkowski, Sgt, Smigielski, S/Ldr.Wczelik and P/O Szpakowicz each destroyed one Me. 109E. P/O. Sologub and P/O Langhamer each probably destroyed one Me. 109E. F/Lt. Zielinski is missing from this Operation. Sgt. Potocki who was in the Section led by F/Lt. Zielinski stated that the saw the Port wing of F/Lt.Zielinski ‘s a/c to break off at 8,000 feet at 14.10 hrs.
This accident took place over the French Coast North of Brest. All other aircraft landed safely at Bolt Head.
The two Fitters, two F/Mechs., one Wireless Mechs. and one Armourer ceased to be detached to Bolt Head.

1941-12-31

Churchstanton

Sgt. Pentz carried out practice Canon firing to the Sea.