Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-01-01

Northolt

Weather – fair to cloudy with rain during all the day. No flying took place.
F/O. Z.L. Pirszel returned from the R.A.F. Intelligence School at Highgate on cessation of course “A” No. 34.

1943-01-02

Northolt

Weather – Mainly cloudy with intermittent showers or rain clearing at times.
At 11.40 hrs the Squadron took off for Operation “Circus No. 243”- Bombers high cover. The Squadron took off from Northolt together with 315 Squadron and W/Cdr. Janus to act as target support to 13 Bostons to Cherbourg. Bombers seen travelling on parallel course of way out. Just North of Cherbourg the Wing climbed through cloud and from there saw nothing more of the operation. No E/A, no flak, no shipping. Weather – West from line N/S through Cherbourg – 8/10ths cloud 10/12,000 feet. Mid-channel to Le Havre 5/10ths increasing to 8/10ths. Weather appeared to be clear over North East France.
Flight Formation attacks, cloud flying and photo attacks were practiced during the day.

1943-01-03

Northolt

Weather – fair to fine at times during the day. Early in the night cloud increased to over – cast. Continuous rain all night – heavy at times.
At 09.15 hrs. the Squadron took off together with 315, 308 and 302 Squadrons for Operation “Rodeo Sweep over Cherbourg Peninsular”. 302 and 308 Squadrons acted as escort to 12 Bostons but were told on the way to Selsey that there would be no bombers. They saw the Kenley Squadrons setting course of Cherbourg and followed them. No E/A seen and no Ack ack. 306 and 315 Squadrons carried out their operation according to plan which was to act as first diversion to the same part of the operation. Weather – perfect. Very small amount of cloud over France at 13/14,000 feet.
At 14.20 hrs. the Squadron took off together with 315 Squadron and W/Cdr. Janus to sweep Cherbourg peninsular. The English Coast was crossed at Selsey Bill and the wing swept the North West corner of the Cherbourg peninsular at 25/26,000 feet, returning via Selsey Bill. No E/A, no Ack ack.
Weather – England and Channel – haze. France – cloud 8-9/10ths at 10/15,000 feet.
Two aircraft, F/O Rozanski at 09.10 hrs and F/O Kurowski at 09.40 hrs, took off from Northolt and carried out Air/Sea rescue patrols without incident.

1943-01-04

Northolt

Weather – fair with mist patches and widespread fog by midnight and snow after mid-night.
Battle formation flying was practiced by 6 pilots from 13.50 hrs to 14.40 hrs.
One aircraft test was carried out from 11.40 hrs. to 12.30 hrs.
Two pilots participated in Dinghy drill.

1943-01-05

Northolt

Weather – surface wind, veering to the E/S.E. 5-15 mph. Cloudy during day – fog late in evening, with drizzle, then sleet most of the night, turning to heavy rain.
No flying was carried out.
F/Sgt. Krupa was admitted to Station Sick Quarters. F/O. S. Ruba arrived on posting for Engineer duties from No. 317 Squadron Woodvale (Supr) wef. 31/12/42. F/O. J. Jeka ceased detachment to No. 1 Officers School, at Cosford. on cessation of No. 5 Polish Officers’ Initial Course.

1943-01-06

Northolt

Weather: cloudy with overcast Rain or drizzle with fog during the day and night. No flying was carried out.
P/O. R. Budrewicz proceeded on detachment to No. 1 Officers’ School at Cosford, for No. 6 Polish Officers’ Initial Course.

1943-01-07

Northolt

Weather: overcast with fog and drizzle – mist later. Intermittent drizzle at night, becoming cloudy and then fair to fine in the early morning. No flying was carried out.
F/Sgts. Kosiedowski and Szczepanski, Fitters I of the Squadrons proceeded on detachment to the Polish Technical Training School at Halton for six weeks refresher Course.

1943-01-08

Northolt

Weather: fine and fog at first becoming cloudy, fine again at Night – mist.
At 15.25 hours, one a/c piloted by S/Ld. Szczesny carried out Air Sea rescue patrol but had nothing to report. Thirteen pilots carried out Radiolocation practices at 14.35 hours.

1943-01-09

Northolt

Weather: fair to fine in East, cloudy in the West with slight drizzle in extreme West, in end of period. At 12.30 hours the Squadron took off from Northolt for Operation ”Circus No. 248” to escort 12 Bostons to Abbeville. Owing to bad weather, the task was abandoned, and the aircraft patrolled over the Channel. Six pilots carried out Formation flying for a period of 10 mins, 10.50 to 11.00.
F/O. W. Walendowski re-posted to this Squadron as Flight Commander (F/Lt. Post) and appointed to Acting Rank of F/Lt. (Unpaid). Sgt. Sliwinski posted to Deputy Polish Inspectorate General at Blackpool, supernumerary whilst attending 12 weeks Course, for Cadet Status at Polish Army Camp – AUCHTERMUCHTY. Information received from Polish Records that Sgt. Czachla promoted to the Rank of F/Sgt. wef; 1/9/42.

1943-01-10

Northolt

Weather: cloudy with rain or sleet, and widespread fog. Drizzle in the late afternoon.
No flying was undertaken at all on this day.

1943-01-11

Northolt

Weather: cloudy with some slight rain during the day, deteriorating at night to a heavy and continuous precipitation.
13 Spitfires IX of this Squadron, together with 12 Spitfires IX 315 Squadron, and S/Ldr. Szczesny took off from Northolt at 14.10 for Operation “Rodeo No. 146” to sweep Dunkirk / St. Omer / Hardelot. The Wing crossed the English Coast at North Foreland, by that time being up to Operational height which was: 306 Squadron, 25/26,000 feet, 315 Squadron 23,000 feet, smoke trials at 27,000 feet. The French Coast was crossed E. of Dunkirk, and, flying South and East of St. Omer, a warning was received of two aircraft due West. These were not seen. Crossing the French Coast near LeTouquet a similar warning was received of two aircraft due West, but again these were not seen. The English Coast was crossed at Beachy Head. Weather: England and Channel 2/10ths Cloud at 6,000 feet over France and to the S.E. cloud 10/10ths at same height.
Two pilots carried out photo attacks at 14.50 hrs for a period of 35 mins. Another two pilots F/Lt. Pniak and F/O. Jeka carried out dusk flying at 17.30/17.50 hrs.
During the day pilots took part in Dinghy Drill exercisses.

1943-01-12

Northolt

Weather: cloudy with rain or drizzle – almost continuous throughout the day, and late evening, clearing at night to fair. Formation flying, air to sea firing, practice attacks, and homing were all carried out by the Squadron, during the day. P/O. W. Tronczynski arrived on posting from 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth, for flying duties wef; 12/1/43.

1943-01-13

Northolt

Weather: Fair becoming cloudy with mist patches and fog, and continuous moderate rain by midnight,
Air to sea firing, G.C.I. and photo. ezercisses were carried out by pilots in the morning. At 12.30 12 Spitfires IX of this Squadron with W/Cdr. Janus and S/Ldr Szczesny took off from Northolt together with 12 Spitfires IX 315 Squadron and 12 Spitfires VB 302 Squadron (Heston) and 11 Spitfires VB of 308 Squadron. Rendezvous was made over Beachy Head, the Venturas began to climb. French landfall was made near Crotoy at 13.19 hrs: bombers at 10/11,000 feet and Spitfire VB Squadrons at 13,000 feet & Spitfire IX Squadron at 23/24,000 feet. Bombs were seen to burst ½ mile S.E. of the target and some pilots believed that some burst in the target area. A left – hand turn was made after the bombing, and, on leaving the French Coast S. of Berck, at 13.31 hrs. the Venturas dived towards home. The English Coast was crossed at Hastings. Only medium flak was experienced from Abbeville, [ barck]sbeing observed at 22,000 feet behind the aircraft. Weather over the channel 3-5/10ths at 4/5,000 feet: Over France 1-5/10ths at 5,000 feet.
Air to sea firing, and photo-attacks were also carried out during the afternoon. F/Lt. Walendowski & Sgt. Swistun carried out dusk flying at 17.05 hrs. for 20 minutes.
P/O. W. Potocki ceased to be detached to A. & A.E.E. at Boscombe Down. F/Sgt. Krupa discharged from SSQ.

1943-01-14

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with intermittent slight rain, some fair periods and becoming cloudy after midnight. With slight rain.
Flight formation flying, local flying, photo and air to sea firing was done by Squadron pilots throughout the day, and two pilots at 17.30 hrs. carried out dusk flying for a periods of 20 minutes. During the day, pilots visited the Station Shooting Range and firing carried out with tommy guns and revolvers. 28 Pilots participated with very good results.

1943-01-15

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain becoming fair. Air to sea firing was carried out by seven pilots during the day, and navigation flying, local flying, besided photo, and dusk flying was also carried out by the Squadron pilots.
A film concerning the propellor was shown to all technical personnel in the Squadron.

1943-01-16

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with fog at first, mist later becoming cloudy. Flight formation flying was undertaken by eleven pilots through the day, in addition to cloud flying which was done by F/O. Jeka and W/O. Jasinski. All flying personnel on the Squadron strenght were shown a Combat Film, in the Dispersal Hut, by the Squadron Intelligence Officer.

1943-01-17

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy, mist and then fog. Flight formation flying, air to sea firing, local flying, target towing, cloud flying, battle formation flying at 36,000 feet were all undertaken by pilots of this Squadron throughout the day.

1943-01-18

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with widespread fog. No flying at all was undertaken on this day.
Two pilots participated in Dinghy Drill. F/Lt. Wiktorczyk, the Squadron Medical Officer proceeded on detachment to Headquarters, Bombers Command, for duty with Col. Armstrong H.Q. E.T.O. (U.S.A.)

1943-01-19

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with intermittent slight rain or drizzle and widespread fog at first, in the morning.
No flying was carried out.

1943-01-20

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with rain or drizzle. Target towing, cloud flying air to air/sea were carried out by Squadron aircraft in the morning. 11 Spitfires IX of this Squadron together with W/Cdr. Janus and S/Ldr. Szczesny took off from Northolt and patrolled over Redhill, but had nothing to report on return. The aircraft took off at approx. 13.30 and landed at 15.15.
P/O. Szal proceeded on posting to 316 Squadron at Hutton Cranswick for Intelligence duties.
P/O. W. Weyers arrived on posting from Deputy Inspectorate of the Polish Air Force, Blackpool for Flying Duties wef: 20/1/43.

1943-01-21

Northolt

Weather: Fair at first, becoming cloudy with rain.
At 11.30 hrs. the Squadron, 12 a/c Spitfires IX together with W/Cdr. Janus and S/Ldr. Szczesny and 12 a/c Spitfires IX of 315 Squadron, took off from Northolt to act as Bouncing Wing in Operation “Circus No. 252”. Shoreham was reached below 500 feet at 11.56 hrs., and from there the Wing flew for 22 mins at sea level, then climbed and made French landfall at Trouville at 12.28 hrs. at 10/13,000 feet after sweeping over Trickville aerodrome, which showed no movement, the French Coast was re-crossed West of FeCamp. When about 25 miles N.W. of FeCamp the Wing was ordered to return towards LeHavre where they orbitted West of the Port, without seeing any E/A. They were then instructed to set course for home, and English Coast was re-crossed at Shoreham at 13.02 hrs. No E/A or flak were observed at any time. Weather: Over the channel to 30 miles North of LeHavre – clear. From there to the South of the Seine – 7/10ths cloud at 13,000 feet.
At 14.35 hours 11 a/c Spitfires IX of this Squadron, together with 12 a/c Spitfires VB of 303 Squadron (Heston) , 12 a/c Spitfires VB of 316 Squadron (Hutton Cranswick) 11 a/c Spitfires IX of 315 Squadron and G/Capt. Pawlikowski, W/Cdr. Janus, and S/Ldr. Szczesny took off again from Northolt, this time for Operation “Rodeo No. 156”, to sweep Abbeville and Le Touquet. Rendezvous was made over Northolt at 14..46 hrs. and course was set for Beachy Head, arriving there 15.01 hrs stepped-up from 10,000 feet with 316 Squadron leading. Climbing over the Channel, the weather deteriorated and towards the French Coast, cloud became 10/10ths at 20,000 feet. By then, the Wing was stepped up from 24,000 feet and, owing to cloud landfall was only estimated South of Berck. The Wing swept North and, on leaving the Coast near Le Touquet, Operations ordered them to re-cross the French Coast, and when N.W. of Foret de Crecy, 15 to 20 F.W.190’s were seen 3,000 feet below, N.E. of Abbeville flying due East, and four F.W.190’s below S.E. of Berck flying South – West. Five aircraft of 306 Squadron dived towards the larger group which were flying line – abreast, but only F/O Szpakowicz got within firing range, destroying one of the E/A. Meanwhile, the remainder of the Squadron had turned N.E. and found five E/A. below near St. Pol and went into attack. All pilots fired, and two of the E/A were probably destroyed and one damaged. 306 and 316 Squadrons, came back in small groups, as they had been split up but combat and cloud, and re-crossed the English Coast between Dungeness and Manston. One aircraft of this Squadron landed at Croydon, and returned to Northolt lateron.
Pilots report as follows:-
F.O. SZPAKOWICZ: “We were warned over the R/T of E/A. to port and we made a diving turn to the left to attack 15-20 F.W’s flying in lose formation. I attacked the last E/A from the Starboard rear quarter. I gave a 2 seconds burst from 200 yards, closing to 150 yds and I saw my fire striking all round the cockpit, the cover of which flew off and large pieces of the a/c flew off in all directions. The E/A turned on to its back and started to fall away at an angle of 45 degrees, clouds of smoke were coming from it. At 100 yds. I gave another burst of ½ second, closing to 50 yds, and the E/A fell completely out of control spinning wildly. I followed it down some 2,000 feet. As the smoke was so intense, and the E/A spinning so much, I concluded that the pilot was dead and broke off to rejoin the Squadron. I claim this E/A as destroyed.
One the way to re-join the Squadron I fired a short burst at another F.W.190 but make no claim. I formed up with two sections of Squadron, and we attacked five F.W.190’s flying below us. I attacked the middle one of three flying in line abreast, I fired from behind and slightly above at 300 yds range, closing to 200 yds and saw my bullets striking the E/A, but owing to cloud was unable to attack again. I claim that the E/A was damaged. Landed at Northolt at 16.20 hrs.”
S/LDR, RUTKOWSKI: “When East of Abbeville, flying N.W. at 28,000 ft I saw five F.W.190’s flying North 2 to 3 miles behind any to my right at approx. 24,000 ft. We turned left, which enabled us to attack them out of the Sun from behind and above. The E/A were flying in rather a broken formation three line abreast and two stragglers behind. I attacked the left hand one of these last two opening fire from slightly to one side, on account of his slipstream, and slightly above. Range 150 yds clossing to 75 yds with three seconds bursts. I was unable to see any results for I was afraid of running into him, and had to break left: he disappeared from view under my aircraft. My No. 2 Sgt. Szwaba saw this E/A turn on to its back and go vertically down with smoke pouring from it. Sgt. Bondarczuk also saw it disappear into the clouds 4,000 feet below still out of control, in a vertical position, with smoke pouring from it. I claim this E/A as probably destroyed, and landed at Northolt at 16.20 hrs.”
SGT. SZWABA: “I was No. 2 to S/Ldr Rutkowski, and seeing Five F.W. flying below and behind us, we made a turn to the left, which enabled us to attack them out of the Sun and from astern. I attacked the right hand one of the last pair, firing from 200 yds, above and behind and clossing to 100 yds. I saw strikes and the E/A turned on its back and went down in a vertical position out of control with smoke pouring from it. Sgt. Bondarczuk also saw the E/A go into the clouds 4,000 ft below still in a vertical position, out of control, and with smoke pouring out of it. I therefore claim this aircraft as probably destroyed. I saw my No. 1 S/Ldr. Rutkowski attack a F.W.190: this E/A I saw turn on to its back, go down vertically, with smoke pouring from it. I landed at Northolt at 16.20 hrs.”.
SGT. BONDARCZUK: “I was flying with four other aircraft in my Squadron, and we attacked five F.W.190 flying below us. I was unable to engage, so took up a position above the dog – fight as cover. I saw the two E/A attacked by S.Ldr. Rutkowski and his No.2 Sgt. Szwaba, both turn over on to their backs, and go down into the clouds, 4,000 ft below, both a/c were out of control and in a vertical position with clouds of smoke pouring from them. I lanced at Northolt at 16.20 hrs.”.
Weather: 10/10ths cloud at 20,000 ft over Channel.
7/10ths in layers from 20,000 ft above, over France.
Good Visibility.

1943-01-22

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with occasional rain or drizzle. Mist and fog at first.
At 13.00 hrs. 12 a/c Spitfires VB of 302 Squadron (Heston), 11 Spitfires IX of 306 Squadron, 12 Spitfires IX of 315 Squadron and W/Cdr. Janus and S/Ldr. Szczesny took off from Northolt for Operation “Circus No. 253”. The Northolt Wing arrived over Beachy Head at 13.10 hours, the Bombers (11 Bostons) were five mins. late, and Course was set at 13.35 hours flying at sea level for 12 minutes. After climbing the French Coast was crossed at Cayeux at 13.57 hrs., at about 10/12,000 feet, and at this point, fairly strong ack ack was coming up from Abbeville and bursts were seen at 15,000 feet. The bombers, flying in two boxes were flanked by 302 and 315 Squadrons, but after the first box had made their attacks, the second box had dropped some distance behind, and the Spitfires had to spread out to give equal cover for the two boxes. After the first box had begun to dive towards home, the fighters remained above to guard the second box. While over the target, fairly strong and heavy flak was noticed coming from a gun position around the ‘drome and bursts were seen at 8/9,000 feet ahead and abeam. Bomb bursts were observed on the South side of the ‘drome and what appeared to be a village to the South East thereof. The English coast was reached at Eastbourne at 14.25 hrs.
Weather: - England 10/10ths cloud at 2,000 feet. Channel and coastal districts of France – clear with good visibility. Some slight cloud to the East and South of Abbeville.
At 13.20 hrs. one aircraft piloted by Sgt. Bondarczuk took off from Northolt and carried out an Air/Sea rescue patrol without incident.
From 16.40 hrs. to 17.10 hrs. 6 pilots took part in Flight Formation flying practice.
One pilot carried out Air to Sea firing.

1943-01-23

Northolt

Weather: Cloudy with slight drizzle at first, then cloud dispersing to small amounts. Cloudless at night but ground fog with very poor visibility.
At 12.00./12.05 hrs the Squadron took off from Northolt together with 315 Squadron, W/Cdr. Janus and S/Ldr. Szczesny on Operation Rodeo No. 157 to sweep Cherbourg peninsular. The Wing began to climb over base and crossed over Selsey Bill 12.30 hrs at 24,000 feet and made French land-fall West of Cherbourg at 12.47 hrs. Considerable flak over port area was experienced, accurate for height and direction. Our aircraft, then flying at 26/27,000 feet swept South and left over Barfleur at 12.57 hrs. No E/A seen at any time.
Weather – over Channel clear West of a line Selsey Bill to Dieppe. 7/10ths low cloud over Cherbourg peninsular. Visibility good.
Throughout the rest of the day formation flying, navigation flying, local flying, Air to Sea firing, target towing and low flying practices were carried out.
A lecture was also given to the pilots about the activities of Polish Bomber Squadrons in Great Britain.
F/Lt. Wiktorczyk ceased to be detached to H.Q. Bomber Command.

1943-01-24

Northolt

Ground fog during day and evening, slowly improving to cloudy conditions. At night and early in the morning fair. No flying took place.
A lecture was given to the pilots about gun sighting.

1943-01-25

Northolt

Weather: cloudy then rain later in the day. Fog at night.
Throughout the day formation flying and air-to-air firing was carried out.
The pilots took part in dinghy drill and a lecture was also given to them about “Fighter Tactics”

1943-01-26

Northolt

Weather – fair to cloudy.
At 12.50/12.55 hrs the Squadron took off from Northolt together with 315 Squadron and G/Cptn Pawlikowski, W/Cdr. Janus, and S/Ldr. Szczesny for Circus No. 256 as first fighter echelon. The Squadron crossed over Hastings at 13/13 hrs., made French land-fall at Hardelot 13.28 hrs at 23/24,000 feet, then swept over St. Omer and out at Dunkirk 13.38 hrs. When 8 miles North West of Gravelines. 2 Spitfires, presumably W/Cdr. Janus and W/O. Jasinski were seen to collide and go down but only one pilot was observed to bale out. Aircraft orbitted and one pilot reports seeing one pilot in the sea for five minutes and then sink. His dinghy was not in sight. The second aircraft was seen to go straight in near the coast North of Gravelines. The majority of the aircraft re-crossed the English Coast at Dover, 18 landing at Northolt by 14.30 hrs. and 6 landing at Manston.
Weather: - over France 8/10ths cloud at 10/12,000 feet.
W/O. Jasinski was posted to Deputy Polish Inspectorate General, Blackpool supernumerary non-effective missing.
One pilot took part in Air to Sea firing and local flying.

1943-01-27

Northolt

Weather - cloudy to overcast with intermittent drizzle. Fog, becoming misty.
No flying took place.
F/O. S. Kon arrived from No. 65 Squadron, Dream on posting to wef: 20/1/43.

1943-01-28

Northolt

Weather - cloudy, with intermittent drizzle and rain later. Fair in the morning.
One pilot carried out an aircraft test and one pilot carried out practice homing, otherwise there was no flying.

1943-01-29

Northolt

Weather – fair to fine at times during day. Early in the night cloud increasing to overcast. Continuous rain all night, heavy at times.
Flying practice was carried out during the day, including air to air firing, attacks and formation flying, sector flying, high flying, photo attacks and Battle formation at 30,000 feet.

1943-01-30

Northolt

Weather – Mainly cloudy with intermittent showers and rain heavy at times.
Only training flying was carried out and this included photo attacks, one aircraft test, and air to air firing.

1943-01-31

Northolt

Weather – Fair to cloudy with rain all day. No flying was carried out.

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