Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-03-01

Churchstanton.

In the morning the Squadrin was at 30 minutes, and at Readiness in the afternoon. No flying was carried out during the day oving to bad weather. Sgt. Dabrowski was detached to No. 2 Delivery Flight R.A.F. Colerne.

1942-03-02

Churchstanton.

At Churchstanton the weather was non-operational all day and no flying took place. One Section detached to Bolt Head carried out a patrol without incident.

1942-03-03

Churchstanton.

The weather wass bad and no flying took place throughout the day.

1942-03-04

Churchstanton.

In the morning the weather was non-operational but it improved in the afternoon. In the morning Lt. Szwagrzak gave a lecture on Gas at “B” Flight. In the afternoon two Sections rturned from Bolt Head. During their stay these Sections carried out one convoy patrol and eight scrambles, they had nothing to report from any of the operations. Two Section from “A” Flight carried out Convoy patrols without incident. F/Sgt. Jankowiak proceeded on detachment to No. 8 R.C. Arbroath for Discip. Course.

1942-03-05

Churchstanton.

The weather was bad all day and no flying took place. In the morning a film was shown to the pilots the subject being “Dog Fighting in the Air”. After this the pilots carried out exercises in Anti – Gas Clothes, practicing Dummy Take – offs. S/Ldr. Tim ins from H.Q. F.6. gave a lecture on G.C.I. practice.

1942-03-06

Churchstanton.

The weather was non-operational and no flying took place.

1942-03-07

Churchstanton.

The weather was bad in the morning but improved in the afternoon, the Squadron was airborne and proceeding to Bolt Head, but were racalled at 1330 hours. Three Sections from Flight “B” Flew to Harrowbeer and two of these Sections carried out convoy patrols. One Section from “A” Flight flew on a training flight. P/O. Kendall, the English Intelligence Officer returned from Exeter, where he had been acting as Stand-by for one of the Station Intelligence Officers who was on leave.

1942-03-08

Churchstanton.

The weather was good and the Squadron was at Readiness all day. Two Sections from “A” and “B” Flights flew on convoy patrols. The Sections from “A” Flight landed at Harrowbeer. One of these sections returned to Churchstanton and the other one flew to Bolt Head where they had a scramble lasting for 15 minutes but nothing was seen. This Section returned to Churchstanton at 1925 hours. During the afternoon two scrambles of short duration vere carried out, but no E/A were sighted. P/O Gorniak & Sgt. Slowikowski flew to Bolt Head at 1745 hours where they remained.

1942-03-09

Churchstanton.

The Squadron was at 30 minutes until 1130 when it was brought to Readiness, the weather being good all day. In the morning “A” & “B” Flights took off to carry out air firing practice but were ordered to return as the Squadron was brought to Readiness. The Section at Bolt Had flew back to Churchstanton and landed at 1155 hours. At the same time 11 A/c flew to Ibsely and a further two A/c followed at 1220 hours. One Section had a scramble ad Ibsely and the patrol lasted for 1hr 15 minutes, but no E/A were sighted.

1942-03-10 & 1942-03-11 & 1942-03-12

Churchstanton.

The Squadron had no remain at Ibsely during these three days as the weather was too bad for any flying.

1942-03-12

Churchstanton.

Authority received from H.Q. No. 10 Group for the following promotions; - F/O. (A/S/L.) A. Wczelik, granted the Permanent War Rank of F/Lt wef; 1/9/41. F/O. A.Wiktorczyk granted the Permanent War Rank of F/Lt wef; 1/9/41 and Pilots Officers A. Flisnik, K. Gorniak, B. Kaczmarek, S. Kedzierski, A. Krakowski, E. Krzeminski, E. Landsman, Z. Langhamer, R. Malczewski, S. Marcisz, and S. Szpakowicz were each granted the Permanent War Rank of Flying Officer wef; 1/9/41

1942-03-13

Churchstanton.

In the morning the weather was too bad for flying. In the afternoon the weather showed little improvement but F/O. Kaczmarek and Sgt. Horn carried out a convoy patrol without incident. The Squadron returned from Ibsely landing at Churchstanton at 1745 hours. F/O. Szyszkowski and Sgt. Slowikowski were posted to No. 132 Squadron Skeabrae in the Orkneys.

1942-03-14

Churchstanton.

The Squadron was at Readiness all day and the weather was good. Two Sections from each Flight carried out convoy patrols. S/Ldr. Wczelik flew to Ibsely to lead the Exeter Wing on a Sweep which, however did not materialise. One Section from each Flight flew to Bolt Head. At Churchstanton one Section from “A” Flight was ordered to scramble and the A/c were airborne for about 35 minutes but sighted no E/A. S/Ldr. Wczelik returned from Ibsely at 1635 hours and both Sections returned from Bolt Head at 1700 hours.

1942-03-15

Churchstanton.
In the morning the Squadron was at Readiness. The weather was very bad, visibility being only 100 yds. The weather improved slightly in the afternoon and at 1340 hours, the Squadron took off for Exeter.
Sgt. Rozworski became airborne five minutes after the Squadron and was unable to find the Squadron. owing to the bad weather and no returned to Churchstanton. The Squadron together with 317 Squadron took off from Exeter at 1535 hours to escort five Bostons Mk.3 to intercept an enemy convoy Les Sept Isles (Operation Roadstead 160). A course of 196 degrees was set at 1531 hours, the target area being reached at 1625 hours. Five miles North of Les Sept Isles the Squadron turned West and flew for 12 miles, but no shipping was seen althought visibility was 8/9 miles. A Course of 330 degrees was set for Predannack , no E/A being seen or anything of interest noted. Nine A/c of the Squadron Five Bostons landed at Predannack. One A/c Landed at Portreath, one A/c at Bolt Head, and one A/c flown by F/O. Malczewski forced landed at West Prawl the Pilot was slightly hurt and taken to hospital. Aircraft Cat. E1. Difficulty in landing was due to the weather which was very bad over the land. Visibility only being a few hundred yards. Sgt. Pilot Sochacki was posted to No. 87 Squadron, Colerne.

1942-03-16 & 1942-03-17

Churchstanton.

The weather was bad and the Squadron did not return from Predannack.

1942-03-18

Churchstanton.

The weather was still bad but Sgt. Horn flew from Portreath to Predannack to join the Squadron which carried out some local flying from the Station. Sgt. Pilot Czezowski was posted from 315 (Polish) Squadron wef; 15/3/42 for flying duties.

1942-03-19

Churchstanton.

The weather in the morning was non-operational and bad in the afternoon, the Squadron returned from Predannack however, six a/c landing at Churchstanton at 1940 hours and four a/c at 1945 hours.

1942-03-20

Churchstanton.

The Squadron was at 30 minutes in the morning and at Readiness in the afternoon, the weather being good all day. One Section from each Flight flew to Bolt Head. Red Section had a scramble 1245 hours they were ordered to patrol Bridport at 15,000 feet in connection with Raid 79. At 1505 Hours approx. when ower Portland, at approx.. 15000 feet they saw two A/c, believed to the Me.s 109, 1 mile South of Portland flying at 22,000 feet. Red Section climbed to attack but the E/A made off South at high speed and escaped.
Authority was received from H.Q. 10 Group for the appointment to Acting Rank of Flying Officer, of P/O. Harla, the Squadron Interpreter, wef; 21/1/42. Authority also received from H.Q. 10 Group for the reposting to this Unit and F/O. K. Rutkowski for Flight Commander (F/Lt) Post wef; 1/3/42.

1942-03-21

Churchstanton.

The Squadron was at Readiness in the morning and at 30 mins. in the afternoon The weather was bad all day and no flying took place except that F/Lt. Rutkowski flew to Bolt Head and back in the morning. In the evening, a party was held at the Officers’ Mess for the Senior N.C.Os and a very good time was enjoyed be everyone.

1942-03-22

Churchstanton.

The weather was non-operational all day and no flying took place. Instructions received from Air Ministry for the presumption of death of P/O. J. Maras to have occurred on 23/7/41, having being reported as missing on the date.

1942-03-23

Churchstanton.

Until 0735 the Squadron was at Readiness. From 0735 to 1200 at 30 minutes and from 1200 hours, Readiness again. In the morning the weather was bad [….] cleared up in the afternoon. At 1225 nine a/c too off for Exeter nad landed there at 1344 hours the length of this Flight was due to the fact that they were first of all ordered to Ibsely and then re-directed to Exeter. The Squadron returned to Churchstanton at 1620 hours, one Section at Bolt Head had two scrambles and patrols were carried out without incident. At Churchstanton we had an Air Raid Warning “RED”. Three Sections were called to Readiness at 1099 hours. F/Lt W. Lettowt arrived at this Unit on attachment from R.A.F. Polish Depot, Blackpool for Duties as Medical Officer. The Squadron Medical Officer was admitted to Taunton and Somerset Hospital wef; 14/3/42. F/Lt. S. Knappe was attached to this Unit from No. 317 Squadron Exeter from 17/3/42 to 24/3/42 also for Medical Duties.

1942-03-24

Churchstanton.

The weather was good all day and the Squadron was called to Readiness at 1900 hours. Throughout the day training flying, air to air firing, and Camera gun practices were carried out. From 1930 hours to 2135 hours, dusk and night flying training took place. The two Sections at Bolt Head each had a cscramble but no E/A were sighted. F/O. Landsman coming back from Bolt Head in the Magister, lost his way, and oving to shortage of petrol, had to make a forced landing and demaged the A/c (Cat. B).

1942-03-25

Churchstanton.

From 0745 hours to 1100 hours the Squadron was at Readiness and them at 30 minutes. The weather was good all day. At Bolt Head two Sections each had a scramble but nothing was seen in either case, both Sections returned to Churchstanton.at 1150 and 1200 hours. At 1215 hours the Squadron took off from Churchstanton and landed at Tangmere at 1320 hours; from this aerodrome the Squadron took part in Operations “Circus 117B” as follows; 12 Spitfires VB 129 Squadron and 12 from 41 Squadron including W/Cmdr. Robinson, left West Hampnet at 1520 to act as escort cover and 12 Spitfires VB of 302 Squadron and 12 of 306 Squadron, left Tangmere at 15.20 to act as close escort to nine Bostons which were to bomb Le Trait. These Squadrons proceeded to Salsey with 41 Squadron leading and 129 Squadron covering them from behind and slightly above. The bombers were not successfully and with escort wing in position on both sides the whole formation crosssed the coast at Salsey. When crossing the French coast West of Fecamp at 1557 hours 129 climbed slightly to 1000 feet keeping above and behind 41 Squadron. The formation approached the targed from the West and bombs were dropped at 1601 hours. Resultsd observed to be good. All bombs except one were direct hits on the target which was left amidst a grey brown smoke. Bombers reported slight flak in target area just before reaching target. Blue Section of 129 Squadron was jumped on from above by about 18 E/As mostly F/W 190s which appeared to come from the North East. P/O. Bush of that Unit destroyed one F/W 190 and demaged another and a Canadian Pilot of the same Unit destroyed another F/W 190.
41 Squadron saw no E/A. After the bombing the Wing turned left leaving the coast East of Fecamp. The English Coast was crossed up 1635 hours at Shoreham, 306 Squadron landed at Tangmere at 1639 hours and the pilots reported they experienced no flak and saw no E/A. The weather; slight hase over target otherwise no cloud, and visibility good. 12 A/c took off from Tangmerre at 1750 hours and landed at Churchstanton at 1845 hours. Sgt. Rozworski remained owing to damage to one tyre on landing.

1942-03-26

Churchstanton

In the morning the Squadron that at Readiness and in the afternoon two Sections at Readiness. The weather was good all day. Two Sections took off for Bolt Head where they had several scrambled from which the pilots have nothing to report. F/Lt. Rutkowski took off at 1550 hours to carry out an A/c test. He dived from 15,000 to about 10,000 feet at 44o MPH. and at this moment the wings broke off and he baled cut. He suffered a broken leg and other minor wounds and was taken to Hospital.
A detachment of Airmen from the Unit marched to Witvelescoombe to take part in a Parade for Warships Week.
F/O. Wiktorczyk was transferred from Taunton and Somerstet Hospital to the R.A.F. Officers Hospital at Torquay, diagnosis; - Post

1942-03-27

Churchstanton

The weather in the morning was good but deterierated in the afternoon. During the morning training flying was undertaken which included air to air firing fighter attacks with Camera Gun, formation flying and air to sea firing. In the afternoon the Squadron was at Radiness. The Sections at Bolt Head had four scrambles. The pilots had nothing to report on returning from their patrols.

1942-03-28

Churchstanton

The weather was bad all day and in the morning at 1015 nine A/c took of for Squadron formation flying. F/O. Krzeminski and Sgt. Krupa took off slightly later to join the other seven A/c and collided in mid air. F/O. Krzeminski’s aircraft was slightly damaged (Cat. A) while that of Sgt. Krupa received more damage (Cat. B) the pilots managed to land their A/c safely however withouy injury to themselves. At Bolt Head two Sections had three scrambles but nothing of any importance was seen.
A detachment of Airmen took part in a Parade in Wellington in aid of the Warships Week.

1942-03-29

Churchstanton

The Squadron was at Readiness during the morning and at 30 mins. from 1300 to 1912 hours. At 1912 hours the Squadron was again brought to Readiness; the weather was good all day. One Section had two Scrambles but nothing was seen on either occasion. Blue Section was on Convoy Patrol from 1200 hours to 1355 and Yellow Section from 1455 hours to 1620 hours. One Section at Bolt Head had a scramble but no E/A were seen.

1942-03-30

Churchstanton

The weather was non-poperational all day. In the afternoon two Sections were at 15 mins. but no flying took place. Instructions received from Air Ministry for the presumption of death of P/O. (A/S/L) J. Slonski to have occurred on 29/8/41 having been mising since that date. The death of F/O. (A/S/L) J. Zaremba and P/O. W. Choms presumed to have occurred on 14/8/41 having been mising since that date. The instructions were also received from Air Ministry of two Sgt. Pilots; - Sgt. Zieba S. on 23/8/41 having been reported missing on 14/8/41 and Sgt,. Wieprzkowicz S. to have occurred on 15/9/41 having been reported as missing on that date.

1942-03-31

Churchstanton

The Weather in the morning was non-operational one Section was at 15 mins. one at 30 mins. From 1300 hours to 1700 hours, one Section at 15 mins, and the rest at 30 mins. At 1700 hours two Sections at Readiness. The weather at 1600 hour improved slightly. At 1715 hours Red Section had a scramble, landing 1850, and Yellow Section from 1730 to 1830. In neither case was anything seen.