Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-06-01

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. One Section carried out a Convoy patrol and two Sections “Scrambled” to patrol over Withernsea. Training flying was also carried out.

1942-06-02

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. One Section patrolled over a Convoy and one Section “Scrambled” in the morning. At 13.20 hrs. the Squadron, 12 a/c took of for West Malling where they landed at 14.25. The Squadron took off from West Malling at 17.00 hrs. on a fighter sweep – Gris Nez to Le Touquet. On reching a point 6 miles of Gris Nez they were warned of bandits South of Le Touquet, but on investigation dod not see any E/A. The aircraft landed at West Malling at 18.15 – 18.30 without incident. The Squadron took off again from West Malling at 19.20 and landed at Kirton Lindsey at 20.45 hrs. F/O.WALENDOWSKI arrived on posting from 316 Sqdn. w.e.f. 30/5/42.

1942-06-03

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. Two Sections flew on Convoy patrol and one Section “Scrambled”. Training flying, including target air firing, dog fighting, fighter attacks, aerobatics, air to air firing and formation flying, was carried out.

1942-06-04

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. In the early morning one Section carried out a Convoy patrol. Training flying was carried out, including searchlight co-operation, formation attacks, interception, aerobatics and air to sea firing. At 13.40 hrs. the Squadron took off and landed West Mailing at 14.35. The Squadron took off West Malling at 15.45 hrs. together with 308 Squadron the Wing being detailed as High Cover to Bombers over Boulogne. Randezvous was mada at Redhill at 16.00 hrs., the formation proceeding to Rye at ground level, then climbing to 17,000 feet. At Boulogne brown smoke was seen in target area. After the bombers left the Wing proceeded climbing along the French coast at Ambleteuse and out at Sengatte and then came home by Deal. Half way over the Channel two Squadrons of Spitfires were seen going to France. No E/A were seen at any time. The Squadron landed at West Malling at 17.15, taking off again at 18.50 and landing at Kirton Lindsey at 19.55.

1942-06-05

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. Three sections had “Scrambles”. Training flying was carried out throught the day. F/Sgt. FIGURSKI and F/O. SENDOREK proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Northolt for conference with Polish Liaison Officer, H.Q.F.C. F/LT ZURAKOWSKI proceeded on posting to 316 (P) Sqdn. w.e.f. 4/6/42 for flying duties. P/O. G. SOLOGUB returned from detachment to No. 3 Delivery Flight High Ercall.

1942-06-06

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. The Squadron took off at 07.50 hrs. for West Malling landing there at 08.50.
F/O. KENDALL, Squadron English Intelligence Officer, accompanied the Squadron by Tiger Moth to West Malling. The Squadron took off from West Malling at 10.50 for “Circus 189”. They were accompanied by 308 (Polish) Squadron led by W/Cdr. Witorzenc and randezvous was made with Biggin Hill and Kenley at Pavensey at 11.06. hrs. at 0 feet and set course for Berk still at 0 feet until half way over Channel. The Wing then clombed fast and crossed the French Coast at 19,500 in company with other Wings, still climbing. Sweep – Abbeville to Dieppe at 24,000 feet and came home crossing the English Coast at 22,000 feet. No E/A were seen. Slight, heavy, but inaccurate flak experienced over Abbeville. Weather – haze up to 10,000 feet.
The Squadron took off again from West Malling at 14.30 hrs. for a Sweep over France. The English Coast was crossed between Hythe and Dungeness, flying at 9,000 feet. Half way across the Channel to Cap Gris Nez they were told to proceed to Hull. They made two circuits of Hall flying at 3,000 feet. The Squadron landed at Kirton Lindsey 16.00 hrs. Weather – slight haze over Sea. P/O. Sologub crashed in landing. The undercarriage of his a/c gave way through making a heavy landing – Aircraft Cat. A.C. F/O. Kumiega arrived on posting from 317 (P) Sqdn. w.e.f 3/6/42 for Flight Commander post but he was found to be non-effective and had to await a medical board.
Instructions received that F/Sgt. H. PIETRZAK had been granted the permanent war rank of Pilot Officer in the Polish Air Force (G.D. branch) on appointment to commissioned rank w.e.f. 1/6/42. He was discharged from the Polish Air Force as Flight Sergeant and reposted to thi Unit as Pilot Officer.

1942-06-07

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. Two sections had Scrambles and training flying, including Army Co-opewration, Dog fighting, formation flying, air to air firing, and cloud formation flying was carried out.

1942-06-08

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. One section had a Scramble. Training flying, including formation flying camera gun exercises, interception, dog fighting and cloud formation flying, was carried out.
Wing formation flying with 308 Squadron was also carried out from 14.20 hrs. to 15.40 hrs.
Sgt. MARCHEWICZ proceeded to No. 1 C.B.M. Kelvin House, London W.1. for a Medical Board.

1942-06-09

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather all day. One Section did a Convoy patrol and another section had a Scramble. Squadron formation flying, air to air firing, dog fighting and camera gun exercises were carried out. Sgt. MARCHEWICZ returned from No. 1 C.B.M. having had his medical board, and was not passed as fit for flying duties.
1942-06-10
Kirton Lindsey

Good weather. Training flying, including Cloud flying, air to air firing, searchlight co-operation, flight formation, air to sea firing, was carried out.

1942-06-11

Kirton Lindsey

Early morning – bad weather, improving throughout tha day. Two Sections did Convoy patrol. Wing Formation flying together with 308 Squadron was carried out at 14.15 hrs. to 15.30 hrs.
F/O. LANDSMAN ceased to be detached to No. 3 Delivery Flight, High Ercall.

1942-06-12

Kirton Lindsey

Good weather. Four Sections did convoy patrols and four sections had Scrambles.
F/O. K. PNIAK ceased to be detached to C.T.U. Woodlands, Stanmore where he had attended a Controllers Course commencing 22/5/42. Instructions received that F/Lt. PALUSINSKI was to cease his attachment to 306 Squadron and he rejoined 303 Squadron when that Unit moved to Kirton Lindsey from Northolt.

1942-06-13

Kirton Lindsey

Weather – non-operational.
Instructions received from H.Q. 12 Group for Sgt. Pilot MARCHEWICZ to be posted to R.A.F. Station Kirton Lindsey supernumerary non-effective sick. F/O. PRODAN and 19 airmen proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Northolt as advance party prior to Movement of the Squadron. F/O. PIETRZAK and F/O. KUMIEGA also proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Northolt prior to Movement of Squadron.

1942-06-14

Kirton Lindsey

Weather – non-operational, but one Scramble was carried out by one Section at 07.55 hrs to 09.35 hrs. and by another Section at 09.00 hrs. to 09.10 hrs. and a third Section patrolled over Northcoate at 2,000 feet or below at 17.15 hrs to 18.10 hrs.
A party was given by the Officers Mess for No. 306 Squadron and an excellent time was had by all. A lecture was given by Sgt. Mc. Cairns on “Escape”. This was an extremely interesting and well given lecture.
The Main Party of the Squadron proceeded by train from R.A.F. Station, Kirton Lindsey at 23.45 hours arriving at R.A.F. Station, Northolt at 05.15 hours on the 15/6/42.

1942-06-15

Kirton Lindsey

Weather non-operational. Officers and airmen proceeded to road to R.A.F. Station, Northolt
P/O. MIJAKOWSKI Proceeded to No. 164 Squadron SKEABRAE, on posting with effect from 13/6/42.

1942-06-16

Northolt

In the morning the weather was bad but cleared up at 09.00 hrs. which enabled the Squadron to take off. 19 a/c took off at 09.40 hrs. landing at Northolt at 10.45 hrs. P/O. POTOCKI demaged the Undercarriage on landing, due to a technical failure. In the afternoon Sector Recco. was carried out. One pilot flew the Magister from Kirton Lindsey to Northolt and another pilot flew the Tiger Moth with F/O. Sendorek as passenger.
F/O. GILL arrived from No. 315 (Polish) Squadron as Flight Commander w.e.f. 13/6/42. F/O. Szyszkowski arrived on posting from No. 164 Squadron, Skeabrae w.e.f. 9/6/42.
F/O. HARLA, F/Sgt. JANKOWIAK and 20 airmen (Rear party) proceeded from Kirton Lindsey to Northolt.

1942-06-17

Northolt

Good weather. 42 hours of training flying was carried out during the day. This included Sector Recco. and Squadron formation flying.
F/O. KUMIEGA proceeded on posting to No. 317 (Polish) Squadron w.e.f. 13/6/42 for Operations duties.
Sgt. ROGOWSKI arrived from No. 58 O.T.U. on posting w.e.f. 16/6/42.

1942-06-18

Northolt

Good weather. Formation and cloud formation flying was carried out during the day.

1942-06-19

Northolt

Bad weather. Three aircraft did training flying between 15.45 and 16.20 hrs. Clay pigeon shooting was carried out.

1942-06-20

Northolt

The Squadron was at readiness at 13.00 hrs. for the first time since arrival at Northolt. In the Morning the weather was bad and clay pigeon shooting was carried out. In the afternoon the weather improved and at 14.40 hrs. the Squadron took off for Circus 193. The Polish Wing consisted of Nos. 306, 302, 316 and 317 Squadrons and led by S/Ldr Novierski. The operation was carried out according to plan. The Wing was at 15,000 feet 25 miles West of Le Havre and at 20,000 feet at Cap D’antifer. Pilots of 306 and 316 Squadrons, the lover Squadrons, saw bombs burst in the docks at Le Havre. Some flak directed against bombers from Le Havre. E/A not seen, no were the fighters of the other target support wing. All air craft landed at their bases 16.20 / 16.30 hrs.
Weather – haze to 5,000 feet clearing over channel. Over France clear except for slight cumulous cloud well below.
Sgt. SLOWIKOWSKI arrived from No. 164 Sqdn. Skeabrae on posting w.e.f 13/6/42.

1942-06-21

Northolt

The Squadron at readiness. In the morning the weather was bad, improving in the afternoon.
Training flying, including formation flying, landings and csector recco, was carried out.

1942-06-22

Northolt

In the morning the weather was bad. In the afternoon it was quite good. Training flying was carried out and at 20.40 the Squadron took off for “Rodeo 76”. The Squadron together with 317 and 316 Squadrons made Randezvous with the Kenley Wing over Wst Malling. Randezvous was made two minutes early but the Kenley Wing was seen at the same time and course was set immediately. The English Coast was crossed at North Foreland at 21.15 hrs. under 500 feet and then height was increased rapidly over the straights of Dover. The French Coast was crossed a little East of Dunkirk by which time the Wing was flying between 23 and 26,000 feet. They were slightly ahead od the Kenley Wing and immediately turned and took up position behind and above them. The whole formation flew South of Bergues and crossed the French Coast a little West of Gravelines. Over Dunkirk moderate A.A. had been experienced, which was accurate for height but wide. After crossing the French Coast they made an orbit over the Sea between Dunkirk and Calais and course was set for home. The English coast was crossed at Dover at 22.00 hrs. All aircraft of 306 Squadron landed at Northolt 22.30/22.40 hrs. F/O. KRAKOWSKI returned earlier because of Oxygen failure.
Weather in all parts – clouds 4-5/10 ths at 20,000 feet and ground mist 4,000 feet. Visibility good above.

1942-06-23

Northolt

Good weather. Squadron formation flying was caaried out between 11,00 and 12.15 hrs.
SGT. DOWKONTT, the Squadron Interpreter, was posted to A.C.T.C R.A.F Station, Hucknall as L.A.C. u.t Pilot.

1942-06-24

Northolt

Good weather. Training flying and G.C.I. practice was caried out between 14.35 and 15.50 hrs.

1942-06-25

Northolt

Good weather. Training flying, including cloud formation flying, formation flying and local flying, was carried out.

1942-06-26

Northolt

Good weather. Clay pigeon shooting for pilots. At 16.40 hrs., the Squadrion took off for Operation “Circus 194”. The Squadrons, 306, 302 and 317, were to act with the Tangmere Wing as the first echelon of the diversionery wings. The route was – Northolt – Ford – 22 miles West of Le Havre – Barfleur – St. Catherine Poine – Thirney – Northolt. Off the French Coast the Northolt Wing was in a height belt of 22/25,000 feet. Off Barfleur Operations gave warning of three E/A, but these were not seen.

1942-06-27

Northolt

Good weather. Some training flying, including flight formation flying, was carried out. Polish pilots received Polish Decorations as follows:-
Polowy Znak Pilota War Badge – Pilots (Green Wreath)
F/O. B. ARCT P-1090 )
F/O. A. KRAKOWSKI P-0698
F/O. E. KRZEMINSKI P-0566
F/O. E. LANDSMAN P-0821
F/O. E. WALENDOWSKI P-0169

Virtuti Militari Class V:
F/O. (A/F/L) S. ZIELINSKI P-0817
F/O. (A/S/L) J. SLONSKI P-0717 (Missing – presumed dead).

GALLANTRY CROSS Krzyż Walecznych
F/O. (A/S/L) T.CZERWINSKI P-1290 Krzyż Walecznych 3rd time.
P/O. G. SOLOGUB P-1624 Gallantry Cross
F/O. E. JANKOWSKI P-0714 (Missing) 2nd time.
F/O. (A/F/L) J. ZULIKOWSKI P-0715 2nd time
SGT. S. WIEPRZKOWICZ (Missing presumed dead) 2nd time
F/O. A. FLISNIK P-0778 (Missing) 1st time
P/O. C. DASZUTA (Prioner-of-war) 1st time
F/Sgt. Z. HORN 782489 1st time

1942-06-28

Northolt

Good weather. Some training flying, including G.C.I. practice, cloud and test flying, was carried out.

1942-06-29

Northolt

Good weather. At 15.50 hrs. the Squadron took off for Operation “Circus No. 196”. 306, 302, 316 and 317 Squadrons were to act as second echelon, target support wing. The Route was – Gris Nez – Dunkirk – Channel – Mardyck – Manston. Height 19,000 to 26,000 feet and later the height was increased another 3,000 feet. Afterwards the Wing was ordered back over the Channel as E/A were reported over the Channel. The English Coast was again crossed at Dover – half way across the Channel Operations ordered them to return. No flak experienced.
F/O. KEDZIERSKI, overshooting on landing, crashed and he was admitted to Station Sickquarters. Aircraft Cat. ‘B”.
One section were ordered on an Air Sea rescue flight, and later returned to base with nothing to report.
Lt. SZWAGRZAK, attached from R.A.F. Station, Churchstanton for two days.

1942-06-30

Northolt

Good weather. All available Spitfire a/c of 306 Squadron were flown to Croydon and 74 airmen and a few of the pilots, together with the Engineer Officer, Polish and English Intelligence Officers, and the Medical Officer, proceeded by road on detachment to R.A.F. Station, Croydon. Instructions received for appointment of F/O. K. PNIAK to the acting rank of Flight Lieutenant (Paid) w.e.f. 22/5/42. (Ops. Liaison)
Authority also received for the apointment of F/O. GIL to the acting rank (Unpaid) of Flight Lieutenant on appointment to Flight Commander Post w.e.f. 13/6/42.

Squadron Leader, Commanding
No. 306 (Polish) Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE