Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-08-01

Northolt

Weather non-operational and no flying took place except for one aircraft test.
Sgt. Rozworski was posted to R.A.F. Station, Northolt supernumerary non-effective sick on admission to Station Sickquarters.
F/O. Krakowski was admitted to R.A.F. Officers Hospital, Torquay. He was posted to R.A.F. Station, Northolt supernumerary non-effective sick with effect from 27/7/42.

1942-08-02

Northolt

Weather non operational in the morning. In the afternoon the weather was good. Cloud flying, low flying and formation flying was carried out.

1942-08-03

Northolt

In the morning there was a heavy mist but this cleared in the afternoon. At 14.00 hrs. one section scrambled and patrols were carried out by a further seven sections over the Channel until 19.30 hrs. One of these sections landed at 18.00 hrs at Hampnett. No E/A were sighted.

1942-08-04

Northolt

Weather good. One Section landed 10.50 on return from Hampnett. Flying practice, including formation flying, fighter attacks, camera gun and cloud formation flying, was carried out.
Sgt. Kordasiewicz made a heavy landing – Aircraft Cat. B. In the afternoon several aircraft made practice attacks on a Me. 109 and a Ju. 88; also a He.111. These aircraft were on the Station for the benefit of pilots.

1942-08-05

Northolt

Weather good. Squadron formation and cloud flying was undertaken.

1942-08-06

Northolt

Weather good. Squadron formation flying was carried out. One Section took part in G.C.I. practice.

1942-08-07

Northolt

Weather patchy, sometimes non-operational. No flying took place.

1942-08-08

Northolt

Non-operational weather in the morning. but it improved in the afternoon. Flight formation flying was carried out.

1942-08-09

Northolt

Weather variable. Squadron formation flying, fighter attacks and camera-gun practices were carried out. Cpl. Buczek, Medical Nursing Orderly; proceeded to Halton for a course on Water Cart duties.

1942-08-10

Northolt

Weather variable. Squadron formation flying was carried out. Two sections took part in a Convoy patrol, one of these sections landing at Tangmere and returning to Northolt at 19.25 hrs.

1942-08-11

Northolt

Weather good. Practice flying, including Flight Formation flying, fighter attacks, camera – gun exercises and Squadron formation flying, was carried out. Sgt. Czachla, flying above cloud, had engine trouble and was forced to land. His engine cut above cloud and on coming through cloud found that he could not make base so he crash landed in a field near by. Aircraft Cat. B. The pilot was slightly hurt in the right arm. P/O. Sologub flew to Churchstanton in the Tiger Moth and after landing and while taxying to dispersal the aircraft was turned on its back by the wind, the pilot being un-hurt. Aircraft - Cat. AC.

1942-08-12

Northolt

Weather good. Squadron formation flying was carried out.

1942-08-13

Northolt

Weather good. Squadron formation flying again carried out.

1942-08-14

Northolt

Weather good. All types of practice flying, including, fighter attacks, camera-gun exercises, and formation flying; were carried out. One Section Scrambled over base below cloud at 2/3,000 feet. There is nothing to report from this operation.

1942-08-15

Northolt

Weather good, until 17.00 hrs., when it detiorated. No flying was carried out. F/O. Kendall, the Squadron English Intelligence Officer, was detached to Heston for Station Intelligence duties.

1942-08-16

Northolt

Bad weather in the morning, improving in the afternoon.
P/O. Sologub was mentioned in Intelligence Bulleten as receiving the D.F.C.
Sgt. Kosmowski was also mentioned as receiving the D.F.M.

1942-08-17

Northolt

Weather Fair. At 10.45 hrs. the whole Squadron paraded on the tarmac in front of the hangars in order to receive Polish Air Force Standard, which had previously been smuggled out of Poland, from No. 305 (Polish) Squadron. This standard is held by each Squadron in turn for three monts.
Air Maarshall S. UJEJSKI made a personal visit to present the Standard. There wass then a march past of the whole Squadron, the Standard beares being F/Sgt. Jankowiak, P/O. Jeka, F/Sgt Jasinski and Cpl Filary.
Sgt. Lurczynski arrived on posting from No. 315 (Polish) Squadron, Woodvale for flying duties w.e.f. 16/8/42.

1942-08-18

Northolt

In the morning the weather was bad, but improved in the afternoon. No flying was carried out. Inspections of aircraft took place and maintenance personnel worked at full pressure in order to have as many aircraft as possible serviceable for Operations which were to take place on the following day.

1942-08-19

Northolt

In the early morning the weather was very bright. The pilots were ewakened very early and by dawn the Squadron was at readiness. At 05.10 hrs a total of thirteen aircraft, one piloted by G/Cptn Pawlikowski, took off from Northolt and proceeded by Beachy Head and then straight to Dieppe in company with 302, 308 and 317 Squadrons. The Polish Wing patrolled at 6/11,000 feet. 306 Squadron encountered no E/A and returned to Northolt without incident, except that Sgt. Czachla crash landed at Eastcote through shortage of petrol and caused damage to some houses. He had tried to land in the roadway, but the road suddenly ended
and he was confronted with a row of houses. To avoid crashing into these he retracted the flaps and banked steeply to the left. The starboard main-plane hit the upper walls of the houses and the aircraft crashed. The pilot escaped with just an incised wound on the left side of the head and general contusion, being admitted to the Station Sickquarters at Northolt. The Squadron landed at base 07.05 hrs.
P/O. M. WYSZKOWSKI arrived on posting for flying duties from No. 316 (Polish) Squadron, Hutton Cranswick with effect from 16/8/42.
At 10.55 hrs the Squadron again took off from Northolt to escort five smoke - screen laying Blenheims to Dieppe. Randezvous was made at Selsey Bill and the Target area reached at 11.40 hrs. 306 Squadron patrolled overhead while the Blenheims were engaged in laying their smoke – screen. No E/A were sighted, and no engagement took place at all. One pilot spotted a pilot in a dinghy in mid – channel and Con[ …… ] and gave a “Fix”. The pilots saw some of our ships firing towards the land. All out aircraft returned to base without incident and with nothing of interest to report. Landed 12.50 hrs.
At 14.35 hrs the Squadron again took off from Northolt to escort five Blenheims smoke – screen laying. On reaching Beachy Head the Squadron was recalled and landed at Base 14.25/14.25 hrs.
At 15.55 the Squadron was ordered to patrol over the Convoy off Dieppe and took of from Northolt in company with Nos. 302,303,307 & 317 (Polish) Squadrons. 306 Squadron patrolled below cloud with Nos.317 and 303 Squadrons, with 302 and and 308 above cloud. There were several F.W. 190s. near the convoy with bombers attacking it from two directions. 306 Squadron made no engagement however except that P/O. Jeka saw a Spitfire VB climbing after two F.W. 190s., the three aircraft disappearing into cloud. He thought that this Spitfire may have been that piloted by F/O. Landsman who failed to return from the operation. The rest of the Squadron returned to base and with nothing of interest to report. Landed 17.25 hrs.
At 16.25 hrs one Section was ordered to “Scramble” The two aircraft patrolled over base for one hour without sighting any E/A and the Section landed without incident.

1942-08-20

Northolt

The Squadron took off from Northolt together with No, 317 Squadron plus W/Cdr Janus and S/Ldr Nowierski and 302 and 308 Squadrons from Heston. Randezvous was made over Selsey Bill at 17.22 hrs. with two other Spitfire Wings at 10/13,000 feet. The formation crossed the Channel on a very broad front, climbing until N/W of Le Havre, the Northolt Wing (Top) had reached 26/29,000 feet. Here a right turn was made and the return journey begun. 306 Squadrom made no contact with any E/A and arrived back at base without incident, and with nothing of interest to report. Took off 17.00 hrs and landed 18.33 hrs.

1942-08-21

Northolt

Weather good. Individual flying was carried out. P/O. NENTWICH was posted back from Northolt for flying duties on ceasing to be N.E sick.

1942-08-22

Northolt

Weather was fair. Thirteen aircraft of 306 Squadron left Northolt at 11.00 hrs., crossing the English Coast at Bachy Head, flying at 0 feet and crossing the French Coast at Hardelot at 11.40 hrs. Still flying at ground level they arrived over St. Omer / Longueness at 11.54 hrs. There was no A/A as they went into France but halfway to the target the ground defences opened up at them. Intense light A/A was experienced from aerodrome defences and also from Gravelines on the way out. The pilots who returned by St. Englevert was free from A/A. F/Lt. Gil attacked a hangar on Longueness aerodrome. Sgt. KORDASIEWICZ attacked A/A posts on the same aerodrome and in the vicinity of the aerodrome, and aircraft in the hangar. F/Sgt. Krupa attacked a railway while on the way to St. Omer. He circled three times over Longueness and shot up aircraft in the hangar. Hi last saw S/Ldr. Czerwinski over the aerodrome. The port wing and tail of his own aircraft were damaged. P/O. Pietrzak, about thirteen miles from the coast, found an aerodrome and attacked aircraft which were dispersed at the edge of a wood. He flew on over Longueness and attacked a big hangar and building nearby. Returning via Gravelines, the tail of his aircraft was demaged. F/O. Marcisz attacked A/A posts at Longueness. The starboard wing, rudder, aileron and radiator were demaged by A/A from Gravelines. He fired at a gun position there. Four miles Nort of Gravelines he saw a large naval unit but he was unable to identify because of his speed and height.
F/O. Kurowski attacked a motor car arriving at Longueness aerodrome and fired at buildings and various objects around the aerodrome. He returned via Boulogne without opposition.
F/Sgt. Machowiak attacked a railway engine on the way to St. Omer. He did not locate the target and returned via Gravelines where the starboard wing and cabin were demaged by A/A. Sgt. Rogowski attacked a small hangar on Fort Rouge aerodrome. He returned via St. Englevert without opposition. The cockpit of his aircraft was demaged while over the ‘drome. S/Ldr Nowierski, who was flying the thirteenth aircraft of this Squadron, attacked an aircraft on the ground at St. Omer / Longueness aerodrome. This aircraft had its engine running. A detachment of soldiers exercising behind the aerodrome were also attacked. S/Ldr. Nowierski crossed the French Coast East of Graveliness on the return journey. Four pilots failed to return from this Operation as follows: -
F.O. W. Szyszkowski was last seen when crossing the French Coast on the way in. Not one of the pilots who returned are able to give any information about him. F/Sgt. Z. Horn was last seen by F/Lt. Gil near Desvres. White smoke was coming from his aircraft. S/Ldr. Czerwinski was seen to make a climbing turn when over the target. giving the impression that he had lost control. F/Sgt. B. Kroczynski reported over the R/T that he was wounded and was going to try and make a forced landing. Later he was heard to say over the R/T that he had landed, his position was aprroximately South of St. Omer. Nine aircraft landed at Northolt 12.30 to 12.45 hrs., five of them having been damaged by Flak. Weather: While over the English Coast 4/10ths cloud at 2,000 feet., improving over Channel. Over France cloudless, bright sunshine and good visibility.
S/Ldr. T. CZERWINSKI, F/O. W. SZYSZKOWSKI, F/SGT. B. KROCZYNSKI and F/SGT. Z. HORN were all posted to R.A.F. Polish Depot (N/E), Blackpool supernumerary non-effective missing.
Sgt. CZAHLA discharged from Hospital.

1942-08-23

Northolt

Weather good. One Section carried out Air/Sea rescue but nothing to report. One Section carried out C.G.I. practices. S/Ldr. K. Rutkowski was posted from No. 317 (Polish) Squadron, Northolt as F/Lt., but appointed to Acting rank of Squadron Leader. This officer was posted to S/Ldr. post and to command.

1942-08-24

Northolt

Weather bad. One Section scrambled and carried out a patrol without incident. Another Section carried out a Convoy Patrol without incident.
At 13.35 hrs. 12 aircraft of 306 Squadron together with 12 aircraft of 317 Squadron and W/Cdr. Janus left Northolt and 12 aircraft of 302 Squadron with 12 aircraft of 308 Squadron left Heston 15.35 hrs. to act as bouncing wing. The English Coast was crossed at Shoreham under 500 feet and the same height was maintained until just before reaching the French Coast, when the Wing began to climb rapidly.
The coast was crossed at Le Crotoy and the Wing reached Abbeville at 16.29 hrs. by which time they were flying 12/22,000 feet. A right turn was made and the French Coast was recrossed between Le Treport and Cayeux. No E/A were seen near Abbeville, although several warnings were received.
The English Coast was crossed at Hastings and all aircraft landed at their bases 17.10/20 hrs.
Weather: England 5/10ths cloud at 3,000 feet. The Channel and French Coast; no Clouds – hazy.
Over France 5/10ths cloud well below the Wing. Visibility good.

1942-08-25

Northolt

Weather non-operational. No flying was carried out.
F/O. E. TOMANEK was posted from R.A.F. Station, Northolt for flying duties.

1942-08-26

Northolt

Weather good. Flight Formation flying was carried out. A/Sgt. Morski was posted to No. 2 S of TT Cosford for No. 32 Officers; Engineering Course. He relinquished the Acting rank of Sergeant and reverted to L.A.C. on ceasing to be employed on Interpreter Duties SGT. BONDARCZUK arrived on posting from No. 303 Squadron with effect from 25/8/42.

1942-08-27

Northolt

Weather good. Three aircraft flew to Manston and from that base carried out Air/Sea Rescue patrols. P/O. J. HAMANKIEWICZ arrived on posting from No. 303 Squadron with effect from 25/8/42 for flying duties.
At 13.45 hrs. the Squadron paraded together with No. 317 on the tarmac in front of the Hangars. The Air Officer Commanding, Headquarters, No. 11 Group, paid a personal visit to decorate two Polish Officers and one Polish Sergeant. W/Cdr. Janus, Officer Commanding No 1 Polish Wing, received the D.F.C. s/Ldr. Gabsiewicz, Polish Liaison Officer H.Q. No. 11 Group, received the D.F.C. F/Sgt. Pietrasik, No. 317 (Polish) Squadron, received the D.F.M. The ceremony was followed by a march past of 306 and 317 Squadrons. 306 Squadron led the parade with the Polish Air Force Standard.

1942-08-28

Northolt

Weather good. Twelve aircraft of 306 Squadron, 11 of 317 and W/Cdr. Janus, left Northolt 12.30/33 and 12 a/c of 308 Sqdn. and 12 of 302 Squadron left Heston 12.35/37. Flying well below 500 feet the Wing crossed the English Coast at Shoreham and kept the same height until they were ten miles from the French Coast. Climbing rapidly the French Coast was crossed at Le Cretoy, the Wing being between 15/20,000 feet. They proceeded to Abbeville and orbitted in that area at 20/23000 feet from 13.26/37. when they were ordered to return to base. Several warnings were received of large numbers of E/A but 306 Squadron did not sight any of them. Slight Flak was experienced from the Foret de Crecy. All aircraft of 306 Squadron returned safely to base. Weather: Clear, slight haze, visibility good.
At 18.54 hrs. 11 a/c 306 Sqdn, and 11 317 Sqdn, took off from Northolt together with W/Cdr. Janus. 12 a/c 302 Sqdn. and 12 a/c 308 Sqdn. also took off from Heston at the same time. Randezvous was made with the Hornchurch and Debden Wings over Oxfordness at 15,000 feet at 19.20. Northolt were to act as middle Wing with Hornchurch below. Course was set for the French Coast which was reached at Ostend. The Formation turned left up the French Coast as far as Blakenberge and then left again and back to North Foreland. Over the French Coast the Northolt Wing were at 21/25,000 feet with the Hornchurch Wing below. The four Squadrons in the Northolt Wing landed at Manston 20.45 hrs. No E/A were seen and the weather was reprted as clear of cloud but hazy over the Channel.

1942-08-29

Northolt

Weather good. The Squadron returned from Manston at 07.40 hrs.
The Squadron took of again at 10.45 hrs. for Circus 211. The Northolt Polish Wing consisting of Nos. 306, 317, 302 and 308 together with W/Cdr. Janus and S/Ldr. Nowierski reached Lympne at 11.15 hrs. at 15,000 feet and course was set for Nieuport which was reached at 11.31 hrs. at a height of 23/27,000 feet. Here the Wing orbitted until 11.45 hrs. until the bombers and thei escort arrived. They were seen to pass over Ostend where they were engaged by flak and the Northolt Wing moved in behind and came back towards Oxfordness with them. The Northolt Wing broke away before Oxfordness and crossing the English Coast over Felixtowe at 12.05 hrs. returned to base where all aircraft of 306 landed safely at 12.30 hrs. No E/A were seen at any time.
Weather: Over England 5-8/10ths thin cloud in three layers between 5 and 15,000 feet. Visibility good. Over Channel – Hazy. Over France – Clear.
In the afternoon a little formation and local flying was carried out.
P/O. R. BUDREWICZ arrived on posting from No. 72 Squadron, Ayr for flying duties w.e.f. 28/7/42.

1942-08-30

Northolt

Weather good. Section and Flight Formation flying carried out.

1942-08-31

Northolt

Weather good… after 10.00 hrs. heavy morning mist prior to that time.
In the afternoon Squadron and Flight Formation flying was carried out. Four pilots carried out dusk flying from 19.55 hrs. to 20.50 hrs.

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