Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-05-01

Churchstanton

From 09.00 hrs. to 13.00 hrs. and 17.00 to 22.00 hrs the Squadron was at readines. The Weather was good. Two Sections at Bolt Head aerodrome. Black section had an order to “Scramble” from Bolt Head at 06.47 but before they were able to take off five Me. 109s. made a low level attack on the aerodrome. Two bombs were dropped fairly near to dispersal and the aerodrome was machine gunned. Four of our aircraft were hit, three being Category AC – B – A, the fourth being very slightly damaged. Sgt. MARCHEWICZ was slightly injured in the face and was taken to the Central Sickquarters at Torquay. Two Sections took off from Churchstanton to replace these aircraft, one Section taking off at 08.50 and the other at 09.05. Two Sections scrambled at Churchstanton and two Sections carried out convoy patrol without incident. The two sections at Bolt Head had two scrambles. Sgt. WEYERS forced landed the Magister on returning from Bolt Head. He was injured rather badly in the face and taken to Taunton and Somerset Hospital together with F/Sgt. SMIGIELSKI who was his passenger and who received less serious injuries to the face. Aircraft was Category [“B”].
Sgt. DABROWSKI returned from No. 2 Delivery Flight, Colerne where he had been detached for two months.
F/O. HARLA proceeded to Kirton – in – Lindsey to make arrangements for accomodation etc., priot to the movement of the Squadron to that Station. 19 airmen accompanied F/O. HARLA as advance party.

1942-05-02

Churchstanton

Two Sections were at readiness from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. Two Sections at Bolt Head a Scramble at 06.05 hrs. and again at 06.55 hrs. without incident. At 08.45 both Sections returned to Churchstanton. A party was held at the officers’ mess given by the Squadron and an ash tray with a Flight of Spitfires round it, made by the mechanics, was presented to Wing Commander ISHERWOOD A.F.C, D.F.C.
The Squadron received a telegram of thanks for good work done whilst at Churchstanton from the Air Officer Commanding, No. 10 Group and another one from the Officer Commanding the Exeter Sector – Group Captain Edwards-Jones. The majority of the Squadron personnel boarded a Special train at Taunton station at 20.10 hrs. and which was to convoy them together with the Squadron equipment to Kirton Lindsey. The kit and equipment had been loaded on to Railway waggons throughout the day. F/Lt. PENTZ and F/O. PNIAK ceased to be detached to R.A.F. Station, Exeter where they had been engaged on Operations Room duties and proceeded by car to Kirton – in – Lindsey.

1942-05-03

Churchstanton
Kirton – Lindsey

The Special train from Taunton arrived at Kirton – in – Lindsey Station at 06.00 and the Squadron personnel were taken by Service Transport to R.A.F. Station, Kirton – in – Lindsey. At 10.30 all available Station transport was used by the Squadron the convey all the Squadron equipment, kit ect., from the railway station to R.A.F. Station, Kirton – in – Lindsey and by late afternoon it was mostly unpacked by the various sections. At 13.30 hrs. 14 aircraft took off from Churchstanton aerodrome and landed at Kirton Lindsey aerodrome at 15.05.hrs. The rear party was conveyed to Kirton Lindsey in two Bombays the same afternoon. All personnel proceeding by private car had left Churchstanton at 08.09 hrs. and arrived at Kirton Lindsey during the evening on the following day. The movement of the Squadron was now complete with the exception of one pilot and 10 airmen who were detached to Churchstanton until one of the Squadron aircraft was made serviceable. F/O. PRODAN remained behind together with the F/Sgt. Discip. to see that everything had been left in order and to hand over to the Station.

1942-05-04

Kirton – Lindsey

The weather was good and the Squadron carried out sector recco. flights. One Section escorted an Oxford over the Sea – 14.45 hrs to 16.30 hrs.

1942-05-05

Kirton – Lindsey

The weather was good. Red section carried out a convoy patrol 06.25 to 07.55. Blue section had a “Scramble” 15.35 to 15.45. Sector recco. flights were carried out.
F/O. WIEJSKI and Sgt. Czachla were posted from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties.

1942-05-06

Kirton – Lindsey

The weather was good. Training flying was carried out by those Sections not at readiness.
In the evening F/Lt. ZURAKOWSKI did some dusk flying.

1942-05-07

Kirton – Lindsey

The weather was good. Red section patrolled over a convoy 06.15 to 07.55 hrs. In the afternoon there were three scrambles. Training flying was carried out and bomber attacks. Dusk flying was done by Sgt. KRUPA, SGT. POTOCKI and F/O. KEDZIERSKI. The latter two overshot the ‘drome on landing and crashed Neither pilot was injured. Both aircraft were Category “B”.

1942-05-08

Kirton – Lindsey

The weather was good. Blue Section flew on a convoy patrol and also red section. The Sections, not a readiness, did some cloud flying and other training exercises.
SGT. MACHOWIAK, SGT. HORN, SGT. KRUPA SGT. KROCZYNSKI were all promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant with effect from 1/1/42, authorised by latter from the Polish Record Office, Blackpool.
The Squadron F/Sgt. Discip, the Corporal Clk. P.A. and another airman arrived from detachment to Churchstanton.

1942-05-09

Kirton – Lindsey

The weather was good. Blue and Yellow Sections cscrambled over Withernsea In the afternoon Red and blue sections had a Scramble. Training flying was carried out. Three aircraft proceeded to Hibaldstow for dusk flying – pilots F/O. ARCT, Sgt. POTOCKI and F/O. KRAKOWSKI. A film of the last Squadron Fighters Attacks was shown to the pilots.

1942-05-10

Kirton – Lindsey

The weather was good. Three aircraft returned from Hibaldstow. Blue Section had a Scramble – 06.35 - .07.35. Red section carried out a Convoy patrol 17.00 to 18.25. Three aircraft flew to Hibaldstow for dusk flying. The pilots were F/LT ZULIKOWSKI, F/O. KACZMAREK and SGT. KROCZYNSKI.
P/O. A. JELINSKI was detached to No. 2 School of Air Navigation at Cranage to attend No. 7 Fighter Command Refresher Course lasting for 2 weeks.

1942-05-11

Kirton – Lindsey

The Weather was bad with periods non-operational. Continous rain. Scrambles – Yellow Section 06.55 to 07.05 and White Section 07.05 to 08.35. Three aircraft returned from Hibaldstow at 10.15. F/O. SZPAKOWICZ overshot the aerodrome at Kirton Lindsey and crashed. This was caused by landing down wind. The lader of the three aircraft was F/O. MALCZEWSKI.

1942-05-12

Kirton – Lindsey

The Weather was bad with non-operational periods. There was flight formation flying.
Authority received from the Polish Record Office at Blackpool for the discharge from the Polish Air Force as an airmen and for re-posting him as an officer, having been granted the Permanent War Rank of Pilot Officer in the Polish Air Force (G.D. branch ), with effect from the 1st May, 1942.

1942-05-13

Kirton – Lindsey

In the morning the weather was good but it deteriorated in the afternoon. Red Section carried out a convoy patrol 10.45 to 12.20 hrs. Wing formation flying was carried out 14.40 to 15.50 and again 18.00 to 18.15. This last flight was curtailed owing to the weather. The Pilot (SGT. ROZWORSKI) and crew who had been detached to Churchstanton arrived at Kirton – in – Lindsey. Sgt. ROZWORSKI flew the Spitfire a/c which had been made serviceable the day previous.

1942-05-14

Kirton – in – Lindsey

In the morning the weather was bad with non-operations periods. In the late afternoon the weather was good. Red Section had a Scramble 17.55 to 18.15. Training flying practice, homing, air firing training etc., carried out.
F/O. M. PRODAN proceeded on temporary duty to the Polish Inspectorate General at Rubens Hotel, London.
Authority received for granting the permanent war rank of Sergeant to Sgt. CZEZOWSKI with effect from the 1st March, 1941.

1942-05-15

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather in early morning non-operational. It improved later. Red Section 10.25 to 12.00, Yellow section 10.25 to 11.50, blue section 15.50 to 17.00, green 17.10 to 18.55, blue 17.35 to 19.05, black 18.05 to 19.20 – these sections scrambled from Kirton Lindsey for Convoy patrols.
Other sections carried out training flying. F/O. S. SZPAKOWICZ and P/O. B. MIJAKOWSKI proceeded to Matlask to attend four days air firing.

1942-05-16

Kirton – in – Lindsey

The weather was non-operational in the early morning but improved later on. Red section 13.15 – 14.10 and 18.30 – 19.55, Yellow Section 19.25 – 20.30 at readiness. Attacks were made on Lancaster and Manchester aircraft which took evasive action. The attacks were carried out from all quarters. SGT. MARCHEWICZ rejoined the Squadron after 7 days sick leave, and was discharged from the R.A.F. Central Sickquarters, Torquay w.e.f. 9/5/42. This pilot was not yet fit for flying duties.

1942-05-17

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather was good. Wing formation flying was carried out. At 14.10 to 16.25 and 18.20 to 19.40 the wing formation flying was done in conjunction with 308 (Polish) Squadron.
F/O. K. RUTKOWSKI was posted from R.A.F. Station, Churchstanton on ceasing to be non-effective sick.

1942-05-18

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather good in the morning, but bad in the afternoon. Two sections, blue at 05.35 to 06.50 and Green 07.10 to 08.35 carried out convoy patrols. Red section scrambled 14.20 to 15.45 for Convoy patrol. White section scrambled to patrol over Withernsea 14.25 to 15.20. Yellow section also patrolled over Withernsea 15.30 to 15.45. Red Section patrolled over Grimsby 16.55 to 18.20.
The sections not at readiness carried out training flying. F/O. LANDSMAN and P/O. SOLOGUB were detached to No. 3 delivery flight at High Ercall.

1942-05-19

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather was good all day. Yellow section 06.20 to 07.50 and white section 09.10 to 10.45 scrambled over convoy. Yellow section sighted a Junkers 88, seaward 3 miles of the Convoy, and chased it. F/O. GORNIAK followed for 20 minutes but the E/A disappeared into the clouds. Three aircraft flew to Hibaldstow for dusk flying. At Matlask F/O. SZPAKOWICZ had 9 air to air firing practises and P/O. MIJAKOWSKI 7 practices. F/O SZPAKOWICZ returned at 21.35.

1942-05-20

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather poor. Green Section 05.00 to 06.35, black section 07.30 to 08.35 carried out convoy patrols. Blue section patrolled over Withernsea 05.35 to 06.40 and 07.30 to 08.25. Sections not at readiness did training flying. F/O. ZULIKOWSKI received the Polish award – “The Valour Cross”.

1942-05-21

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather good. Red section scrambled 05.50 to 07.05. Yellow section patrolled over Hull 06.30 to 07.10. White section did convoy patrols 05.50 to 07.15. Training flying was undertaken.
F/O. PNIAK proceeded on a course for Operations Controllers at Woodlands, Stanmore, Middlesex.

1942-05-22

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather was non-operational allday. Authority received for posting F/SGT SMIGIELSKI and SGT. WEYERS to Churchstanton supernumerary non—effective sick.

1942-05-23

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather was non-operational in the morning. In the afternoon it was bad with non-oprational periods. Blue section carried out a Convoy patrol 14.30 to 16.00. Some training flying was undertaken.
P/O. Z. ZIELINSKI ceased to be detached to the No. 2 School of Air Navigation, Cranage.

1942-05-24

Kirton – in – Lindsey

In the morning the weather was bad. Afternoon it was good. Morning some cloud flying was done. In the afternoon Squadron formation flying was carried out. One Section carried out dummy atacks on six Wellingtons. At 21.00 hrs. three aircraft flew to Hibaldstow for dusk landings.
P/O. J. PALUSINSKI arrived on attachment from No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, Northolt w.e.f. 23/5/42 for Operations room duties. F/O. K. RUTKOWSKI posted to NO. 317 (Polish) Squadron, Northolt.

1942-05-25

Kirton – in – Lindsey

The weather was bad all day. Red, blue and yellow sections carried out Convoy patrols. The three aircraft at Hibaldstow returned at 10.45.
F/O. M. PRODAN proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Northolt on temporary duty.
F/O. A. SENDOREK proceeded to Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby for a course in Aero Engine Operation.

1942-05-26

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Good weather in the morning with some periods of bad weather in the afternoon. Blue section did a convoy patrol. Wing formation with 308 (Polish) Squadron carried out 14.00 to 15.45 and other training flying was also undertaken.
Sgt. KORDASIEWICZ posted from No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth.
Sgt. SUCHOCKI ACH/GD. proceeded to No. 8 R.C. Arbroath to attend a drill and discip course assembling 27/5/42.
F/O. Z.L. PIRSZEL was detached to School of Anti Aircraft Defence at Shrivenham, for Course 25/7/42 to 30/5/42.

1942-05-27

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather good in the morning with periods of non-operational weather in the afternoon. Three sections had scrambles. Training flying was carried out.

1942-05-28

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather was good in the morning with periods of non-operational weather in the afternoon. One section did convoy patrols and another section patrolled over Withernsea. Flight formation and other training flying was done at 21.20 hrs. Three aircraft flew to Hibaldstow for dusk flying
F/O. KON and F/O. KUROWSKI arrived on posting from No. 58 O.T.U. with effect from 26/5/42.

1942-05-29

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Weather in the morning was good with periods of non-operational weather in the afternoon. Training flying undertaken. In the afternoon a lecture was given about the new Spitfires VI, VIII and IX.
P/O. J. JEKA arrived on posting from No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth w.e.f. 25/5/42.
F/O. B. KACZMAREK proceeded on posting to No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth w.e.f. 25/5/42.
Authority received for the grant of Acting Ranks (Paid) as follows: - F/O. (A/F/L) CZERWINSKI appointed to the acting rank of Squadron Leader w.e.f. 15/4/42.
F/O. J. ZURAKOWSKI appointed to the acting rank of Flight Lieutenant w.e.f. 15/4/42.
F/O. J. ZULIKOWSKI was granted the Permanent War Rank of Flying Officer w.e.f. 1/9/41.
Sgt. CZEZOWSKI was admitted to R.A.F. Hospital, Cosford.

1942-05-30

Kirton – in – Lindsey

The morning weather started by being non-operational, but improved throughout the day. Training flying af all types was undertaken.

1942-05-31

Kirton – in – Lindsey

Morning and afternoon weather was bad with periods of good. The Squadron flew on a patrol over the Sea at 04.15 to 05.20. This was in connection with the 1000 odd bombers which were sent to Cologne. Four sections flew on patrol over convoys. Training flying was also done. At 21.20 hrs. three aircraft flew to Hibaldstow for dusk flying.

Squadron Leader, Commanding
No. 306 (Polish) Squadron
Royal Air Force.