Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-11-01

Northolt.

Weather – continuous rain at first, then drizzle. No flying took place.
P.O. E. Tatarski proceeded on posting to No. 317 Squadron, Woodvale w.e.f. 1/11/42 for flying duties.

1942-11-02

Northolt.

Weather – morning fog clearing after 10.00 hrs. becoming fair to cloudy. Fog developed later in the evening.
Two aircraft carried out local flying and an aircraft test. At 14.30/14.40 the Squadron took off for Rodeo 109 – 14 Spitfire IX a/c of 306 Squadron crossed Selsey Bill at 15,000 feet and continued climbing but turned half way across the Channel owing to the Weather which was first half of the Channel 6/10 cloud, second half and over France 10/10, below the Wing, and another layer 5/10 at 27,000 feet – mist.
Sten and Thompson Machine Gun training was carried out on Northolt firing range by the Squadron admin. and technical personnel, supervised by Lt. Michalski.

1942-11-03

Northolt.

Weather – Cloudy with occasional slight rain at first – rain drying out after 10.00 hrs and becoming cloudy with some fair intervals.
Squadron formation flying and local formation flying was carried out.
Sten and Thompson Machine Gun training was again carried out by the Technical and Admin. personnel.

1942-11-04

Northolt.

Weather – Fog with slight drizzle. No flying took place.
F/O. A. Kownacki posted to 63 M.U., Carluke for Engineer duties w.e.f 4/11/42.
A lecture was given to the Squadron pilots by the Station Intelligence Officer, the subject being “How to Use Your Dinghy”.
Instructions received from Air Ministry that presumption of death action was to be taken in respect of F/O. E. Jankowski who had been reported as missing with effect from the 14th January, 1942.

1942-11-05

Northolt.

Weather – rain and fog in the morning turning to rain and mist. No flying was carried out.

1942-11-06

Northolt.

Weather – fine to fair, deteriorating during night.
At 09.45 hrs. and 11.30 hrs. the Squadron carried out formation flying at 25,000 feet. At 13.35 hrs. approx. 11 Spitfires of 306 Squadron together with W/Cdr. Janus, S/Ldr. Nowierski and 302, 308 and 315 Squadrons took off for Operation Ramrod No. 22. Rendezvous was made at Selsey Bill. The formation flew for the first 12 minutes at Sea level and crossed the French Coast at the mouth of the River Orne, bombed on an E to W run. One set of bomb bursts in a field to East of Admin. buildings, further set of bursts in centre of runway and third of set of bursts on dispersals to the West. Accurate flak from position S/W of the aerodrome. Bombers put 3.20 indicated diving away from France. About mid – channel on the way back, warning was received of E/A behind but none were seen. Weather over England – haze to mid – channel, 5/10 at 2,000 feet. Over target – 8/10 at 3/5,000 feet. Visibility – good.
News was received that S/Ldr. Czerwinski, F/O. Szyszkowski and F/Sgt. Horn were killed on the Operation on the 22nd August, 1942.

1942-11-07

Northolt.

Cloudy with rain and drizzle at first, slowly improving during the day to fair.
During the afternoon 12 aircraft carried out battle formation flying at 30,000 feet.

1942-11-08

Northolt.

Weather – Fine during day, fog at night. Mist in morning and evening, before formation of fog. At 11.35 hrs. approx. 13 a/c, Spitfire IX, of 306 Squadron escorted a box of Bombers, orbitted around Lille and saw some bombs dropped. Intense heavy flak was experienced both going in and coming out over the French Coast at Calais and Gravelines – this was very accurate. Flak also experienced East of Cassel. The Squadron penetrated as far as East of Douay. No E/A were seen. Two ships of between 2/5000 tons were seen in the Avant Port on the way into France, only one ship could be seen on the way back. Sgt. Rozworski failed to return from this Operation. Not one of the pilots could give any information concerning him and no news has since been received.
1 a/c carried out an aircraft test, 1 a/c took part in air to sea firing, and at 15.20 2 a/c carried out formation flying.

1942-11-09

Northolt.

Weather – much fog, clearing during the afternoon but soon deteriorating again.
A weather test was carried out by one aircraft and at 14.40 hrs. one section of two aircraft took off from Northolt on receiving orders to “Scramble”, patrolled over Mayfield and return to base without incident. P/O. L. KOSMOWSKI posted from No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth for flying duties on cessation of Flying Instructor Duties.
The firing range was used again by Admin. and Technical personnel.

1942-11-10

Northolt.

Weather – fair to fine with ground fog. The only flying which took place was Operation “Circus No. 237” as follows:-
14 Spitfire IX aircraft, including S.Ldr. Nowierski, together with 302, 308 and 315 Squadrons took off from Northolt 14.06 and made rendezvous to time. About 10 miles out on a course of 175 º magnetic from Selsey Bill a buoy was seen – may be drifting. 28 Miles on course a bomber dinghy was seen. One pilot reported persons’in it, many pilots say it was empty. 50 miles out on course, floating antenna mine was seen. Bostons flew in two boxes of nine, one Spitfire Squadron allocated to each as close escort Approaching Le Havre on bombing run, the second box flew into intense flak. The tail Unit of one Boston was completely shot off and this a/c crashed into a second Boston. Both went down and were burning fiercely when they hit the sea. Bombs were seen to hit the Target, about 7 bursts in the entrance to the Bassin de Maree, followed by a great deal of white smoke. One ship was hit and was seen to catch fire. Much flak from the South quay of Bassin Bellot and from two small ships anchored just West of Le Havre. On the return pilots were startled to see several bursts of machine gun fire hit the sea, position about 10 miles N.N.E. of Etretat. Fire belived to have come from the Bostons. No E/A were seen. Weather – no cloud with haze to 6,000 feet. Clear over target.
P/Os. BENOIT and NENTWICH returned from the Officers school at Cosford on cessation of No. 3 Polish Officers Initial Course.

1942-11-11

Northolt.

Weather – thick fog all day. No flying took place.
P/O. J. POLAK proceeded on detachment to the Officers School at Cosford for No. 4 Polish Officers Initial Course.

1942-11-12

Northolt.

Fog cleared up gradually, mist, then hazy. No flying took place all day.
A film for the pilots on the Dieppe Operation was shown in the Dispersal.
Technical and Admin. personnel were firing on the range again.
At 11.30 hrs. S/Ldr. Rutkowski and P/O. Kosmowski were decorated with the D.F.C., And D.F.M. respectively by the Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group – Air Vice Marschal Leigh – Mallory, C.B., D.S.O.
S/Ldr. Rutkowski received his decoration for during the Dieppe Operations destroyed two enemy aircraft (one Dornier 217 and one He.111) and P/O. Kosmowski for during the escort of Halifax bombers intercepted 5 to 7 Me’s and dispersed them, afterwards acting as escort to the bombers until they reached the English Coast.
In the evening the Polish personnel celebrated Polish Independence Day at Alexandra Pallace, Northolt.

1942-11-13

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy at first, mist during evening. No flying was carried out.
A lecture was given by Engineer Drygallo about the Spitfire IX aircraft, to flying personnel of 306 Squadron and another lecture on “The reading and explanation of Intelligence Orders” by F/O. Pirszel, the Squadron Intelligence Officer.

1942-11-14

Northolt.

Weather – widespread fog. No flying took place.
S.Ldr. Rutkowski, F/Lt. Pniak and P/O. Jeka proceeded by rail to 307 Squadron at Exeter. returning 15/11/42. They were accompanied by F/Sgt. Jankowiak and Sgt. Bondarczuk who handed over the Polish Flag to 307 Squadron on the occasion of their Squadron day on the 16th November, 1942.

1942-11-15

Northolt.

Fog with slight drizzle early in the morning and throughout most of the day. Cloudy conditions. No flying took place.
P/O. Pietrzak was detached to A. & A.E.E. Boscombe Down for Test Pilot duties.
F/O. WOZNIAK was posted to this Unit supernumerary for Engineer duties.
Information received from Air Ministry that the undermentioned officers had received their permanent War ranks. F/Lt. PENTZ, F/O. HARLA and F/Lt. (A/S/L) CZERWINSKI (Missing)

1942-11-16

Northolt.

Weather – fair to cloudy, become fine.
At 10.10 hrs. Squadron formation flying was carried out by six aircraft and later Squadron formation flying was again carried out by five aircraft.
Sgt. Dowkontt, technical interpreter proceeded on posting to the Interpreters Pool at Blackpool but made his way to Headquarters, Army Co-Operation Command for detached duties with the Polish Liaison Officer.

1942-11-17

Northolt.

Weather – fine, becoming fair. Fog formed after dusk.
At 10.40/45 13 a/c of 306 Squadron took off from Northolt to act as close cover to 5 Liberators which were to bomb the aerodrome at Maupertus near Cherbourgh. Course – Northolt – Selsey Bill – Cherbourg – Shoreham – Northolt. 306 Squadron acted as Top Cover at 27/28,000 feet. Rendezvous was made over Selsey Bill at 22,000 feet. In the vicinity of Cherbourg very weak flak was experienced. Weather over the Channel – cloudy 8/10 at 3/5,000 feet, higher – hazy. The Weather being bad, result of the bombing was not seen.
Cloud flying, dog fighting, low flying and flight formation flying was carried out.
One pilot carried out an a/c test.

1942-11-18

Northolt.

Weather – fair to cloudy with intermittent slight drizzle and mist patches. Flight Formation attacks, section flying and dog fighting practices were carried out.
At 15.15 hrs. two aircraft took off from Northolt on Air/Sea Rescue patrol, Course was set – Brighton – Beachy Head – Northolt. During the patrol W/O Smigielski noticed in the direction of the Channel three un-identified aircraft at 6 miles distance. The patrol was completed without incident. At 15.00 hrs. six aircraft took off from Northolt on an offensive reconnaissance: - The English Coast was crossed at Beachy Head and landflall made at the French Coast at the point just North of the mouth of the Somme. Hare they turned right and flew along the coast looking for shipping that was believed to be travelling down the Coast. No shipping was seen so the Flight turned inland at Le Treport, three aircraft turning North and three flying South West inland. The three aircraft flying South/West fired at what appeared to be a tower about 150 feet high in the course of construction, circular in shape and which appeared to be build up of a series of masts ringed round by what were probably constructional ribs. This tower was sighted between two tall masts and the site well defended by light AA. The position, as near as can be given, was lat. 49º 55’N., 1º 16’E. A m/g post was attacked just S/E of Dieppe and the three aircraft returned still seeing no shipping. The other three aircraft flew along the road and railway lines between Le Treport and Abbeville, one pilot attacking a platoon of Cavalry on the road which had a great destruction effect, and another pilot attacked a locomotive on the railway line about 10 miles East of le Treport, leaving it in clouds ad steam and smoke. The same pilot attacked another locomotive which he found in the Station at what is believed to be Noyelles – sur – Mer, seeing strikes but being unable to observe further results owing to flak. The third pilot of this Section, P/O. BENOIT is now known to have hit a balloon cable and crashed in Q.9196, the pilot being killed. Weather very poor, mist on the ground over France and over this Country.

1942-11-19

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy with slight drizzle. One aircraft flew for 10 minutes to Heston.
A lecture “SD.158” and Aircraft recognition, also flying discipline over own territory, was given to the Squadron pilots by F/O. Pirszel.

1942-11-20

Northolt.

Weather – Fair periods with small amounts of cloud, deteriorating to 10/10. Formation flying, local flying and practice attacks off all types was carried out.

1942-11-21

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy during the day, becoming fine at night and misty. No flying was carried out. Lt. W. MICHALSKI returned to his parent Unit, Headquarters, Polish Army Corps at Kinghorn, Scotland, on cessation of attachment.

1942-11-22

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy with increasing foggy patches and with fog during night.
At 13.05 hours 14 a/c of 306 Squadron took off from Northolt together with 302, 315 and 515 Sqdns. The Defiants and Spitfires carried out their programme according to plan. No E/A were seen and no flak. Cherbourg peninsular not seen owing to 10/10 cloud. Wing operated about 25/27,000 feet. Landed at Tangmere because of bad visibility at 14.30/35. At 16.30 the aircraft returned to Northolt from Tangmere.

1942-11-23

Northolt.

Weather – Mist at first, small amounts of low cloud soon dispersing about 9/10 above 8,000 feet.
P/O. Potocki and P/O. Jelinski flew to Debden and back again.

1942-11-24

Northolt.

Weather – fair to cloudy with intermittent drizzle and widespread fog. No flying took place. Sgt. SZWABA was posted from No. 1487 Flight, Warmwell for flying duties.

1942-11-25

Northolt.

Weather – showery One weather test was carried out at 13,30 hrs. by F/O. Arct.
F/O. Sendorek was posted to R.A.F. Station. Heston for Engineer duties (double – banked F/Lt. post.)
F/O. Wozniak was reposted as Engineer Officer, 306 Squadron (F/O. post).

1942-11-26

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy with occasional slight rain or drizzle and a few patches of fog.
Sector recco., formation flying, low flying, homing, cloud flying and one aircraft test was carried out.
At 10.45 hrs. two aircraft took off for a Rhubarb operation but returned to base after 20 minutes flying as the weather was unsuitable.
At 11.20 hrs. two aircraft carried out Air/Sea rescue patrol, taking off from Northolt and flying in a Northerly direction. After 15 minutes of flying the Section returned to base as the weather was too bad.
At 14.30 hrs. 6 aircraft took part in cloud, low and formation flying.
One aircraft test was carried out at 14.30 hrs.

1942-11-27

Northolt.

Weather – slight occasional drizzle at first, becoming cloudy.
One pilot, F/O. Marcisz, carried out one aircraft test.
P/O. M. WYSZKOWSKI and P/O. Z. NENTWICH were posted to No. 195 Squadron, Hutton Cranswick for flying duties.

1942-11-28

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy but temporarily fair or fine in latter part of evening. Slight drizzle at beginning of day.
Low flying, local flying and cloud flying was carried out.

1942-11-29

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy with occasional drizzle and mist.
In the morning flight formation attacks and local flying was carried out.
At 14.50 hrs. 3 aircraft carried out Air/Sea rescue patrol and flew at 0 feet from Beachy Head to the French Coast West of St. Valery – en – Caux. Finding the weather to be 7/10 cloud at 4/5,000 feet, the Sun shining through, visibility excellent they returned to base.
At 14.10/14.15 hrs. 8 aircraft flew over Old Sarum for recognition exercise of enemy tanks and vehicles.

1942-11-30

Northolt.

Weather – cloudy becoming fair to fine then cloudy again with slight rain.
Flight Formation flying, battle formation and dog fighting together with local flying was carried out.
At 14.30 hrs. Cpl. Wojciechowski was involved in an accident to Spitfire BS. 431. The accident occurred as a result of the engine being started at a time when the “End piece” from the throttle control rod attached to lover operating throttle butterfly cross shaft had been removed from the engine, leaving no connection between the engine and cockpit throttle controls. Immediately on starting the engine went into full throttle, the tail lifted and the aircraft moved forward taking the chocks with it. The propeller, still rotating, was in contact with the ground and the port wing tip in contact with the edge of the hangar door, formed a pivot turning the aircraft through an angle of 180 º and through the open hangar doors. It eventually came to rest in the corner of the hangar with the wheel chocks still in position and brakes on. The following damage was sustained to the engine and airframe as follows: - Both main planes and propeller damaged. Fuselage plating buckled. Engine subjected to internal stresses necessitating a strip inspection. A full investigation into the cause of this accident is being held.

THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE ADDED AFTER THE RESPECTIVE DATES:

1942-11-22

At 16.40 hrs. a collision occurred between two aircraft Spitfires IX at the Squadron dispersal point. The aircraft were piloted by W/Cdr. Bajan, from Polish Inspectorate General, and F/Lt. Zulikowski of this Unit. F/Lt. Zulikowski was taxying in from a flight and W/Cdr. Bajan was just taxying from one of the dispersal pens when the collision occurred.

1942-11-24

P/O. W. BENOIT was buried at the Polish Cemetary at Northwood with military honours at 11.00 hrs.
During the month pilots have been able to carry out plenty of exercises on the Link Trainer and bad weather has enabled them to spend a lot of time with the Squadron Education Officer, F/O. Wilson who has been able to go ahead with the English lessons.

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