Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-05-01

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good; clouds from 4/6/10ths at 4,000 feet. Visibility good.
13.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
Throughout the day pilots took part in low flying, practice photo. attacks and cloud flying, also Flight formation flying and four aircraft test.
F/Sgt. KEPCZYNSKI, A and SGT. BONDARCZUK, A were posted back from R.A.F. Station, Hutton Cranswick on ceasing to be N/E sick.
F/Sgt. CICHOWICZ and F/Sgt. SZCZEPANSKI, Fitters I proceeded to Messrs. Rotol Airscrews Ltd., Gloucester for a 14 days course.

1943-05-02

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny with good visibility.
05.40. 1 Section at readiness, 2 at 30 minutes.
06.30. 1 Section at 15 minutes.
13.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
15.35. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
Flying included practice photo attacks, air-to-air firing and air-to-sea firing, aerobatics, flight battle formation and dog fighting practices. Two aircraft took part in dusk flying.

1943-05-03

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny with very good visibility and clear.
The Squadron was not at readiness at all to-day.
11.20. 12 Aircraft took off and landed at Coltishall at 12.20 hrs.
17.25. 12 Aircraft took off from Coltishall together with 302 and one English Squadron to act as escort for 11 Venturas over the Electric Power Station at Amsterdam. The Wing, with 306 Squadron leading, flew for 25 minutes at 0 feet over the Sea in the direction of Amsterdam. It then climbed to 6,000 feet and at that time observed several aircraft flying below and due west. The Wing turned and met these aircraft and the latter turned out to be two Bostons and a few Spitfires. The Wing turned again and returned to Coltishall at 19.00 hrs. Weather – cloudless with good visibility.
20.25. 11 Aircraft took off from Coltishall and carried out Air Sea rescue patrols, returning at 21.45 hrs with nothing of interest to report.

1943-05-04

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good: clouds 6-8/10ths at 3,000 feet. Visibility from 4/6 miles.
18.40. Three sections at readiness.
09.10. 11 Aircraft returned from Coltishall landing at Hutton Cranswick 10.00 hrs.
Training flying included flight formation and high flying, Squadron formation flying, battle formation and practice photo attacks, air to air firing.
19.30. Five aircraft took off from base on receiving orders to “Scramble” and patrolled over base, landing again after 75 minutes flying with nothing to report.
Sgt. J. WALCZAK reported on posting from No. 58 O.T.U.
A lecture was given to the pilots, entitled “Spitfire VB with clipped wings”.

1943-05-05

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny with good visibility.
13.00. One section at readiness and 1 at 30 minutes.
Training flying included air firing, practice photo. attacks, battle formation flying, local flying.
F/O. E. KRZEMINSKI posted from A.F.D.U. Duxford.
F/O. S. MARCISZ posted to 315 (Polish) Squadron as Flight Commander.
F/O. E. TOMANEK detached to P.D.I.G. Blackpool.
P/O. S. BUCKIEWICZ proceeded to Rolls Royce Ltd.. Derby for Merlin Engine Handling Course.
F/O. W.J. ROZANSKI posted to 318 (Polish) Squadron.
F/O. H. PIETRZAK posted to No. 58 O.T.U.

1943-05-06

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good with good visibility.
05.30. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
09.15. 2 Sections at 30 minutes.
Pilots took part in practice photo attacks, practice dog fighting, battle formation, aerobatics and Sector recco.
A lecture was given to the pilots on “The German Fleet – operational use and silhouettes”

1943-05-07

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny, visibility good.
The Squadron was not at readiness at all to-day.
Training flying included Squadron Formation flying, bomber affiliation and at 11.45 hrs six aircraft carried out a practice Circus over Norwich.
A lecture was given to the pilots on “F.W.190 – properties and cockpit drill”.
11.15. P-783325 LAC RADZINSKI, H Fitt.IIA was accidentally killed whilst using electric soldering iron an 306 Squadron hangar , being electrocuted.
Sgt. KUCZKOWSKI, Flight Engineer, was posted to the Squadron from No. 4 S of TT, St. Athan, for duty as fitter.

1943-05-08

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy with intermittent rain. Cloud from 8-10/10ths at 2,000 feet, visibility very poor.
13.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
19.00. 2 Sections at 30 minutes.
Flight and Battle formation flying was carried out by nine pilots.
F/LT. R. LUTOSLAWSKI and SGTS. JAS and CHABROWSKI were all posted to No. 5 A.O.S. Jurby for Air Bomber Training.
P/O. S. BUCKIEWICZ returned from Merlin Engine Handling Course at Rolls Royce Ltd.

1943-05-09

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – continuous rain, clouds at 10/10ths at 1,500 feet, with poor visibility.
05.30. 1 Section at readiness, 2 at 30 minutes.
06.00. 1 Section at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes.
No flying was carried out to-day.
F/O. F. SWIETLIK proceeded to Polish Inspectorate General, London, returning on the 12th after temporary duty.

1943-05-10

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – Continuous rain. Clouds 10/10ths at 1,500 feet, visibility poor. No readiness.
No flying took part to-day.
A lecture was given to the pilots entitled “The Luftwaffe – organisation, location and strength”.
P/O. W. SLIWINSKI posted from D.P.I.G. Blackpool. F/Lt. WIKTORCZYK and F.O. KRZEMINSKI proceeded to Wakefield for Special “Wings for Victory” parade.

1943-05-11

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good with good visibility.
13.00 hrs. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
Pilots took part in Flight formation flying, aerobatics, photo attacks, dog fighting, battle formation flying, low flying throughout the day.

1943-05-12

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy with intermittent rain. Clouds 6-10/10ths at 2,000 feet, visibility poor.
05.19. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes and one at 30 minutes.
11.20. 12 aircraft took off from Hutton Cranswick and landed at Coltishall 12.10. hrs.
14.10. 12 aircraft left Coltishall and returned to Hutton Cranswick at 14.50 hrs.

1943-05-13

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – visibility good.
No readiness. Throughout the day pilots part in flight formation flying, low flying, air-to-air firing, Sector recco,. cloud flying, navigation practices and two aircraft tests.
A discussion took place between the pilots the subject being “Fighter Nights” and general instructions on Night Flying.
The Operational activities of 306 Squadron 1940 – 1942 were also discussed.

1943-05-14

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny with very good visibility.
13.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
Training flying included Squadron formation flying, air-to-air firing, photo attacks, cloud flying and at 22.05 hrs three aircraft took part in dusk flying.
F/O. Z. WOZNIAK, Engineer Officer, posted to R.A.F. Station, Hutton Cranswick as Station Engineer Officer.
F/O. S. RUBA reposted as Squadron Engineer Officer.

1943-05-15

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good: clouds from 4-6/10ths at 4,000 feet, visibility good.
05.20. 1 Section at readiness and 2 at 30 minutes.
08.15. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
23.00. 2 Sections at night readiness.
Throughout the day air firing, air-to-sea firing, dog fighting, practice photo attacks and Fighter night practices were carried out. Four aircraft took part in dusk flying 22.15 – 22.50.
W/O. J. SMIGIELSKI returned from No. 5 Fighter Leaders Course at Charmy Down.
F/SGTS CICHOWICZ and SZCEPANSKI, Fitter 1, returned from Rotol Airscrews course at Gloucester.
SGT. GUTOWSKI and SGT. KOSIEDOWSKI, Fitters 1, proceeded on a Course of Instruction to Rotol Airscrews Ltd.
LAC. BURGER was posted from No. 302 Squadron for Interpretter duties.

1943-05-16

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good: clouds from 4/6/10ths at 2,000 feet, with good visibility.
13.00. 1 Section at readiness.
18.20. 2 Sections at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes.
18.45. 1 Section at readiness and 2 at 30 minutes.
23.00. 1 Section at Night readiness.
Training Flying included air-to-air firing, flight battle formation flying, practice photo attacks, dusk and night flying.

1943-05-17

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather - sunny, visibility good.
11.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
13.00. 2 Sections at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes.
20.20. 1 Section at readiness.
01.20. 2 Sections at 60 minutes.
Training flying included air-to-air firing, bomber affiliation and some dusk and night flying.
F/O. J. Kurowski proceeded to R.A.F. Hospital, Cosford to see a specialist and returned 19/5/43.
Sgt. pilot Toczyski, J proceeded to Messrs Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby for 4 days Merlin Engine handling course.
Sgts. MIELCZAREK and JAKUBOWSKI proceeded to P.T.T.S. Halton for refresher course.

1943-05-18

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy. Clouds from 7-10/10ths at 4,000 feet. Visibility good.
13.45. 1 Section at 30 minutes.
22.30. 2 Sections at 30minutes.
01.35. 2 Sections at 60 minutes.
Training flying included a practice “Circus”, air-to-air firing, affiliation with bombers, target towing. Army co-operation and 7 pilots took part in Night Flying from 23.05 hrs to 01.40 hrs.

1943-05-19

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good with good visibility.
22.40. 2 Sections at 30minutes.
Pilots took part in Air-to-air firing, target towing, air-to-sea firing and affiliation with bombers.
A British pilot gave a talk to the pilots on “How I escaped from a Prisoner-of-War Camp in Germany.

1943-05-20

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy, clouds from 6/10ths to 10/10ths at 3,000 feet. Visibility from 2/4 miles.
13.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
16.00. 1 Section at readiness and 2 at 30 minutes.
22.40. 2 Sections at readiness.
23.05. 2 Sections at 60 minutes.
Throughout the day pilots took part in Army co-operation, target towing, air-to-air firing, affiliation with bombers, battle formation and photo attacks.

1943-05-21

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy, clouds from 8/10ths to 10/10ths at 2,000 feet with visibility from 3-5
miles.
05.09. 1 Section at readiness and 2 at 30 minutes.
08.00. 1 Section at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes.
10.25. 2 Sections at readiness and 1 at 30 minutes.
The pilots took part in air-to-air firing throughout the day.
A lecture was given to the pilots on “Flying equipment from the Medical point of view”.

1943-05-22

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy with intermittent rain. Clouds from 8/10ths to 10/10ths at 1,500 feet. Visibility poor.
22.40. 2 Sections at 60 minutes.
The only flying carried out to-day included a weather test, aircraft test and four pilots took part in air-to-ground firing.
F/Lt. M. DURIASZ attached from Polish Army Staff Colleges.
SGT. Pilot TOCZYSKI, J returned from Merlin Engine Handling Course at Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby.

1943-05-23

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny with good visibility.
13.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
17.00. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
20.15. 1 Section at readiness and 2 at 30 minutes.
Training flying included battle formation flying, cloud flying, practice photo attacks, air-to-air and air-to-sea firing, Squadron Formation flying and two aircraft tests.
SGTS. KERZ and GRADOWSKI, Fitter I ceased to be detached to the P.T.T.S. Halton.
A lecture was given to the pilots on “How to use the code “Caxton”. and also the :Secrets Act”.

1943-05-24

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny with very good visibility.
05.06. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes and 1 at 30 minutes.
09.30. 1 Section at readiness, 2 at 30 minutes.
09.40. 12 aircraft took off from Hutton Cranswick and flew to Coltishall.
11.40. 12 aircraft took off from Coltishall, together with 302 Squadron, to act as escort to 13 Beaufighters which were returning from torpedo attacks on Enemy Shipping near Ijmunden (Holland). A course of 99 º was taken and the Squadrons flew at 0 feet during the first 18 minutes. In the next five minutes they reached a ceiling of 5,000 feet and course was changed to 135 º. After three minutes the returning Beaufighters were sighted and were escorted to the English Coast. Squadrons landed at Coltishall 12.50 hrs. Weather – cloudless with good visibility.
F/O. J. JEKA was posted to No. 308 (Polish) Squadron.
P/O. W. SLIWINSKI posted to 302 (Polish) Squadron.
F/O. W. POTOCKI flew to R.A.F. Combined Aircrew Centre, Dundonald for No. 8 Course.

1943-05-25

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – good. Clouds from 4 to 6/10ths at 4,000 feet. Visibility from 4/6 miles. No readiness.
Throughout the day navigation exercises, air-to-air firing, practice air combat and target towing was carried out.
F/O. W. SZAJDA proceeded to Rolls Royce Ltd. for Merlin Engine Handling Course.

1943-05-26

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy with intermittent rain: clouds 10/10ths at 1,500[0] feet. Visibility poor.
No readiness. Air-to-air firing was carried out in the morning by four pilots.
SGT. BONDARCZUK, A posted to Hutton Cranswick supernumerary non-effective sick.

1943-05-27

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – sunny with good visibility. No readiness.
Training flying included air-to-air firing, practice photo attacks, flight battle formation and low flying.

1943-05-28

HUTTON CRANSWICK

Weather – cloudy. Clouds from 6-10/10ths at 4,000 feet with good visibility. No readiness.
Training flying included air-to-air firing and target towing.
In the evening instructions were received that the Squadron must move with all equipment to R.A.F. Station, Catterick on the following day.

1943-05-29

HUTTON CRANSWICK / CATTERICK

Weather – cloudy with intermittent rain: Clouds 8-10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility from 3/5 miles.
12.30. 1 Section at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes.
21.59. 2 Sections at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes.
10.50. 7 aircraft took off from Hutton Cranswick and landed Catterick at 11.20 hrs. on movement of Squadron.
18.00. 9 aircraft took off from Hutton Cranswick and landed Catterick at 18.30 hrs. on movement of Squadron.
11.00. The Advance Party, consisting of 1 Officer and 14 airmen, took off from Hutton Cranswick in two Bombay Aircraft together with some of the Wireless equipment and proceeded to Catterick.
The rest of the Squadron proceeded to pack all equipment and personal kit and load it all into Railway Waggons which had been specially reserved for same at Hutton Cranswick railway station.

1943-05-30

HUTTON CRANSWICK / CATTERICK

Weather – continuous rain with clouds 10/10ths at 1,500 feet, visibility poor.
04.50. 2 Sections at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes.
09.00. The Main part, consisting of 4 Officers, 10 N.C.O.s. and 120 airmen, boarded a Special Train at Hutton Cranswick Railway Station, arriving at Catterick Bridge Railway Station at 12.30 hrs.
All Squadron equipment etc was unloaded and conveyed by Service transport to R.A.F. Station, Catterick.
The Road party, proceeding in private cars, consisting of 7 Officers, 5 N.C.O.s and 1 Airman, arrived at Catterick during the day.
A rear party consisting of 1 N.C.O. and three airmen, to check over barracks etc., and 7 airmen to service two aircraft, was left behind at Hutton Cranswick.
Training flying included Sector recco and practice photo. attacks.
13.55. Five aircraft flew to R.A.F. Station, Thornaby arriving 14.10. hrs.

1943-05-31

CATTERICK

Weather – sunny, visibility good.
No readiness.
Three officers, three N.C.O. pilots, and 11 airmen proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Thornaby where one Flight was to be at readiness.

W. Karwowski S/L
Squadron Leader, Commanding.
No. 306 (Polish) Squadron.
ROYAL AIR FORCE