Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-02-01

Church Fenton.

In the morning the Squadron was at 30 mins. The weather was 7/10ths cloud, visibility 5 miles with rain and snow. No flying was carried out other than a weather test.
In the afternoon weather cleared up and the Squadron carried out some formation flying, air firing to sea and camera gun attacks. The Squadron was a 30 minutes.
F/O Lipkowski ceased to bee attached to this Unit for Interpreter duties and returned to the Polish Depot, Blackpool.

1942-02-02

Church Fenton.

In the morning the Squadron was at 30 mins. Weather was 8/10ths cloud at 1500’. visibility
5-6 miles, fair flying weather. Air firing to sea, fighter attacks, camera gun practices were carried out by the Squadron. At 12.15 two Section from each flight flew to Bolt Head to remain there for one week. F/O. Rutkowski, P/O. Kaczmarek, Sgt. Potocki and Sgt. Horn were detached to Bolt Head.
Cpl. Morski, filling a Sergeant Interpreter vacancy was promoted to Sgt. with effect from the 27/1/42.
Lt. Szwagrzak, the Polish Army Officer, was made Squadron Gas Officer by the Squadron Lader.

1942-02-03

Church Fenton.

In the morning four section were at Readiness. 10/10ths cloud at 800’ vis. 2-3 miles, cloudy and misty. In the afternoon the Squadron took off to carry out air to sea firing, but owing to the weather breaking up the pilots were ordered to land after 20 mins. flying.

1942-02-04

Church Fenton.

All day the Squadron was at 15 mins. available. The weather conditions were moderate. The Squadron had orders to take of for Bolt Head from where they were to operate as cover to Bombers detailed for a raid over Brest. This operation was later cancelled. In the morning air firing and camera gun attacks were practiced. In the afternoon our pilots, who were at Bolt Head, had three scrambles.

1942-02-05

Church Fenton.

In the morning 4 sections were at 30 mins. In the afternoon 4 sections were at readiness. The weather was cloudy with mist and snow in the morning and no flying took place.
Sgt. Jasinski, Sgt. Smigielski and Sgt. Pietrzak were promoted to Flight Sergeants with effect from the 1st September, 1941.

1942-02-06

Church Fenton.

In the morning 4 sections were at readiness, weather good. One Section from “A” Flight patrolled a Convoy between 12.40 hrs. and 14.10 hrs. In the afternoon training flying was carried out. One Section of “B” Flight did a co-operation with the Ryal Observer Corps. F/Lt. Ranoszek was posted to No. 317 Squadron for flying duties, relinquishing his acting rank of F/Lt. upon being taken off Operations duties in the Operations Room at Exeter.

1942-02-07

Church Fenton.

All day at 30 mins. Owing to bad weather there was no flying. An entry was promulgated in this Unit’s P.O.R. Presuming the death off F/O. J. Kosmowski to have occurred on 23/7/41 as he had been missing due to air operations since that date.

1942-02-08

Church Fenton.

Owing to bad weather there was no flying here, but at Bolt Head there were orders for two Sections to “Scramble” at 11.05 to 12.05 and again 17.00 to 17.45. The latter order put F/O. Rutkowski and Sgt. Potocki in the air and they were told to fly to Angels 5000 and vere given several vectors, and warned to keep a sharp look out but they saw nothing, and on returning to base were told by Ops. that some trawlers had been attacked. Owing to cloud at 3,000 feet to 4,000 feet our pilots could naturally not see below them. Ops. know nothing of this cloud and it seems a pity that they did not give our pilots more information, as they would then have gone below cloud and might very well have been able to take action.

1942-02-09

Church Fenton.

Readiness untill 10.00 hrs and then at 30 mins. Weather bad. One Section of “A” Flight flew on a convoy patrol between 08.00 hrs. and 09.00 hrs. One section of “A” Flight flew on a convoy patrol between 09.45 and 16.30 hrs. In the afternoon the two sections at Bolt Head returned. At 16.30 hrs. 9 aircraft took off from Churchstanton for Bolt Head. F/Lt. Skalski ran into a petrol bowser on landing, damaging the wing of this plane.
F/O. Rutkowski nad P/O. Kaczmarek together with Sgt. Potocki and Horn ceased to be detached to Bolt Head. Sgt. Pentz received his commision and was granted he permanent War Rank of Pilot Officer in the Polish Air Force with effect from 1/2/42.

1942-02-10

Church Fenton.

In the morning weather was bad, but five aircraft took off at 08.30 hrs. for Bolt Head.
P/O. A. Krakowski was posted to this Unit for flying duties from No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth.

1942-02-11

Church Fenton.

Good weather. Five sections at Bolt Head flew over a Convoy on patrol. The first section took off at 14.40 and the last section landed at 18.50. At 15.10 two sections scrambled but landed after a short flight. P/O. Kendall, the Squadron English Intelligence Officer, left for Bolt Head to join the Squadron there.
P/O. E. Jankowski was posted from No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth for flying duties.

1942-02-12

Church Fenton.

In the morning weather here was non operational, but the aircraft which was detached to Bolt Head from this Unit flew in six sections to patrol over a Convoy. At 12.45 the Squadron went on a patrol over the Channel. Keeping close to the coast they landed at Ibsley at 14.30 and later took off at 18.00 hrs. and landed at Churchstanton at 18.50.

1942-02-13

Church Fenton.

Good weather. Three Sections from :B” Flight carried out convoy patrols. In the afternoon at 13.15 three sections “A” Flight took off for Harrowbeer from where they carried out Convoy Patrols, (Four sections in all, as one Section flew twice). “B” Flight carried out a training flight. Three aircraft from “B” Flight flew to Exeter for night flying training.

1942-02-14

Church Fenton.

Good weather. Sqwuadron at 30 mins. in the morning and readiness for four sctions in the afternoon. The three aircraft at Exeter took off from there at 07.05 hrs. and landed 08.15 hrs at Churchstanton. One Section of “B” Flight flew 30,000 feet taking off at 13.30 and landing 14.30. Three sections “A” Flight and two sections “B” Flight did Convoy patrols between 13.05 and 18.55.
P/O. Harla together with 24 airmen and one N.C.O. took part in a Parade at Taunton in aid of Taunton Warships week.

1942-02-15

Church Fenton.

Cloudless day with very slight mist. Four sections at readiness, one Section of “A” Flight flew on patrol over Start point keeping a height of 8,000 feet. Three sections of “B” Flight did Convoy patrols. One section fo “B” Flight did a training flight with the Royal Observer Corps. Other aircraft did practice fighter attacks, homing and G.C.I. In the afternoon the whole Squadron flew up to 30,000 fet and at that height did air to sea firing. When they arrived back over base the vapour trails left by the Squadron showed that a very good formation was being kept.

1942-02-16

Church Fenton.

Weather in the morning was good. The Squadron was at 30 mins. The usual practice flights were undertaken. In the afternoon weather was poor, but a Section did a co-operation with the Royal Observer Corps.

1942-02-17

Church Fenton.

The Squadron in the morning was at 30 mins. In the afternoon four sections at Readiness but weather was poor and only a little practice flying was undertaken.

1942-02-18

Church Fenton.

In the morning four sections at readiness. One section of “A” Flight did a convoy patrol and F/LT. Czerwinski made a forced landing an Exeter owing to trouble with the Cockpit hood. This section was therefore replaced by another section. From “B” Flight one Section was ordered to scramble at landed at Bolt Head, took of 11.50 and landed Bolt Head 13.25 landed at Churchstanton 14.35. No training Flights because the weather was bad.

1942-02-19

Church Fenton.

Morning at afternoon at 30 mins. The weather in the morning was bad.. In the afternoon the weather cleared and the usual practice flights were undertaken.

1942-02-20

Church Fenton.

Morning 30 mins. weather non – operational. Afternoon four sections at readiness, weather bad. F/O. Rutkowski and Sgt. Potocki did G.C.I. practice and F/O. Rutkowski reported that the control was very good inded.

1942-02-21

Church Fenton.

Morning four sections at readiness until 09.30. From 09.30 to 09.00 at 30 mins. Weather non operational and no flying took place.

1942-02-22

Church Fenton.

All day at 30 mins. Bad weather. Three aircraft “A” Flight carried out co-operation with Home Guard. One section of “A” Flight carried out ground attacks at Dortmouth. Some of the pilots did practice Clay pigeon shooting.

1942-02-23

Church Fenton.

At 30 mins. on the morning bad weather all day. In the afternoon four sections at readiness. At 12 45 two sections flew to Bolt Head to remain. At night the weather improved and two pilots, P/O. Krzeminski and Sgt. Potockicarried out dusk flying, bumps and cirquits. During the afternoon the pilots were shown a film on recognition. The aircraft concerned in this film were Do. 215, D.O. 18, He. 111, Me. 109 and Me. 110. together with extracts from S.D. 158 which were read over to the pilots.
P/O. Arct, P/O. Landsman, and P/O. Flisnik detached to R.A.F. Station, Bolt Head.
Sgt. Gorczyca proceeded to No. 2 Delivery Flight, R.A.F. Station, Colerne for flying duties while unfit for operational flying.
Sgt. Slowikowski and Sgt. Gorczyca received to permanent war rank of Sergeant with effect from 1/3/41.
Sgt. Rozworski awarded the prmanent war rank of Sergeant with effect from 10.3.41.

1942-02-24

Church Fenton.

In the morning four sections were at readiness. The weather was bad. In the afternoon the weather improved. In the morning one section of “A” Flight and one section of “B” Flight did convoy patrols. In the afternoon training flying was undertaken. P/O. Szpakowicz and Sgt. Horn carried out dusk flying. A film on gas was shown in the N.A.A.F.I.to the Squadron Ground saff.

1942-02.25

Church Fenton.

All days at 30 mins. In the morning the weather was bad but practice flying was undertaken. air to sea firing, camega gun, attack etc. The weather improved during the afternoon. F/Sgt. Smigielski failed to lower his undercarriage on landing and so damaged his machine (Category AC). The pilot was unhurt.
The Squadron held a dance in Taunton. Very well organised and very good show indeed. Three Sgt. Pilots sang several songs and flowers were given to several ladies. The dance was held in aid of the Polish Soldiers in Rusia.
P/O. Drecki was posted to No. 317 (Polish) Squadron, Exeter with effect from 20/2/42 for flying duties.

1942-02-26

Church Fenton.

The Squadron was brought to readiness at 12.00 hrs. The morning provided bad weather but it improved towards the afternoon. Two sections flew to Bolt Head to relieve those already three. One section carried out G.C.I. practice. The Gas Film, which was shown at “A” Flight Dispersal, was shown to some of the pilots.
F/O. Arct, P/O. Landsman, and P/O. Flisnik returned from detachment at Bolt Head.

1942-02-27

Church Fenton.

Good weather all day. Readiness all morning. Squadron formation flying at 30,000 feet, G.C.I. practice for one section. While flying at 20,000 feet Sgt. Krupa suffered a black-out owing to dental trouble and he recovered again at 15,000 feet with no ill effects. Polish controllers gave a lecture to the pilots on G.C.I. practice – S/L and R/T buttons now to be used.

1942-02-28

Church Fenton.

In the morning the weather was overcast with poor visibility. The Squadron was brought to 15 mins. at 10.00 hrs. P/O. Kendall went to Exeter for Station Intelligence duties.
Sgt. Dowkontt, one of the Squadron Interpreters, was detached to C.T.T.B. West Drayton with effect from 28/2/42 for Interpreter duties.
C O R R E C T I O N
With reference to the entry dated the 30th December, 1941 of this Unit’s Form 540 the correct result of the Enemy aircraft destroyed or demaged was as follows:-
S/Ldr Wczelik, F/O. Rutkowski and F/Sgt. Smigielski each destroyed one Me. 109.
P/O. Szpakowicz and P/O. Sologub one Me. 109 probabe.
P/O. Langhamer one Me. 109 damaged.