1943-06 - No. 306 Squadron - F540
Data entered by Remigiusz Gadacz on 30 Jul 2007 and viewed 608 times.
1943-05-31
THORNABY
16.15. F/Sgt. A. Kempczynski, with F/O. B.C. Kendall as passenger, took off from Thornaby across wind causing the aircraft to swing and drift and cause the aircraft to crash. There were no casaulties but the aircraft and engine were Cat. “B”. F/Sgt. A. Kepczynski subsequently had his log book endorsed.
1943-06-01
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy, clouds 6-8/10ths at 3,000 feet. Visibility good.
22.53. 1 Section at 30 minutes.
10.30. Five aircraft took off on a Wings of Victory flight and returned at 11.30 hrs.
Pilots took part in practice photo attacks, cloud flying, sector recco., and aerobatics throughout the day.
F/Lt. Ostaszewski was posted to this Unit from No. 308 (Polish) Squadron for Operations Room duties and F/Lt. J. A. Pentz was posted to No. 308 (Polish) Squadron for Operations Room duties in his place.
F/Lt. Bokowiec, Operations Controller ceased to be detached to R.A.F. Station, Churchfenton and took up his duties in the Operations Room at Catterick.
THORNABY
04.47. 2 Sections at readiness.
06.12. 1 Section at readiness, 1 Section at 15 minutes.
21.56. 2 Sections at readiness.
1943-06-02
CATTERICK
Weather – good and sunny. Visibility good.
04.55. One Section at 30 minutes.
Battle formation flying was carried out by 6 aircraft from 11.00 hrs to 12.00 and again from 17.10 to 18.20 with 6 aircraft. Pilots also took part in low flying and sector recco.
THORNABY
04.56. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
21.57. Two Sections at readiness.
1943-06-03
CATTERICK
Weather - cloudy, clouds 8-10/10thsat 3,000 feet. Visibility 3-5 miles.
04.50. One Section at 30 minutes.
21.28. One Section at 30 minutes.
14.40. Four aircraft carried out formation flying until 15.40 hrs.
Pilots also took part in air combat practices, cloud flying, sector recco and practice photo attacks.
Sgt. Pilot WALCZAK. J. ceased to be detached to R.A.F. Station. Hutton Cranswick.
THORNABY
04.55. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
21.58. Two Sections at readiness
1943-06-04
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy, clouds 7-10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility from 3-5 miles.
04.55. One Section at 30 minutes.
Formation and practice air combat flying, low flying, sector recco. , and code tests were all carried out throughout the day.
P/O. W. PALEOLOG was posted back to this Unit from Hutton Cranswick on ceasing to be N/E sick.
THORNABY
04.54. Two Sections at readiness
05.54. One Section at Readiness, and one at 15 minutes
18.15. One Section at 15 minutes and one at 30 minutes.
13.50. One Section took off from the forward base at Thornaby and patrolled over a convoy. Returned to Thornaby after 1 hr and 40 mins. flying without anything of interest to report. .
1943-06-05
CATTERICK
Weather – good, visibility good.
14.55. Four aircraft carried out battle formation flying, landing at 15.55 hrs. Throughout the day pilots took part in air-to-air firing, practice photo attacks practice fighter attacks and Sector recco.
THORNABY
04.53. Two Sections at readiness
06.10. One Section at Readiness, one Section at 15 minutes
22.00. Two Sections at readiness
1943-06-06
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy with intermittent rain. Clouds 8-10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility [poor]
04.50. One Section at 30 minutes.
22.00. One Section at 30 minutes.
THORNABY
04.52. Two Sections at readiness
06.00. One Section at 15 minutes, one at 30 minutes.
22.00. Two Sections at readiness.
No flying was carried out during the day.
Sgt. Pilot A. WALCZAK was posted to R.A.F. Station, Catterick supernumerary non-effective sick.
1943-06-07
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy, clouds 8-10/10ths at 4,000 feet. Visibility good.
04.52. One Section at 15 minutes.
22.03. One Section at 30 minutes
Pilots took part in some local flying during the day.
F/Lt. Z. DRYBANSKI, Flight Commander was detached to the Polish Inspectorate General,
London for a Polish Fighter Leaders Course.
THORNABY
04.52. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, and one at 15 minutes.
12.00. One Section at readiness, and one at 15 minutes.
22.00. Two Sections at readiness.
1943-06-08
CATTERICK
Weather – sunny, visibility good.
04.48. One Section at 30 minutes..
22.05. One Section at 30 minutes.
14.35. Six aircraft carried out Flight formation flying landing at 15.45 hrs.
16.30. Four aircraft carried out army co-operation exercises, landing at 17.30.
F/O. W. POTOCKI and F/O. Z. JELINSKI detached to No. 1490 Flight AYR for No. 11 Gunnery Course.
F/Sgt. WOJCIK and F/Sgt. GAJEWSKI detached to Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby for Merlin Engine Handling Course.
THORNABY
04.51. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, and one at 15 minutes.
13.00. One Section at readiness, one Section at 15 minutes
22.04. One Section at readiness.
1943-06-09
CATTERICK
Weather – sunny, visibility good.
04.55. One Section at readiness.
22.02. One Section at readiness.
Throughout the day pilots took part in Formation flying and practice dog fighting, sector recco and G.C.I. practices.
THORNABY
04.51. Two Sections at readiness.
06.11. One Section at readiness, and one at 15 minutes.
13.00. One Section at readiness, and one at 15 minutes.
22.05. Two Sections at readiness.
1943-06-10
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy at misty. Clouds 10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility poor.
04.50. One Section at 30 minutes.
22.05. One Section at 30 minutes.
Throughout the day air-to-air firing was carried out by 5 aircraft and local flying by ……
P/O. S. BUCKIEWICZ, pilot, was posted to 318 (Polish) Squadron supernumerary for flying duties. Exercises by the pilots in sighting and distance judging were carried out on the “Hunt”
THORNABY
04.50. Two Sections at readiness.
06.11. One Section at readiness, one Section at 15 minutes
13.00. One Section at readiness, and one at 15 minutes.
22.06. Two Sections at readiness.
1943-06-11
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy and misty, clouds 10/10ths at 1,500 feet. Visibility poor.
04.55. One Section at 30 minutes.
23.05. One Section at 30 minutes.
Five pilots took part in air-to-air firing between the hours of 10.20 and 17.30.
19.00. F/Sgt. URBANCZYK, Z landed down–wind resulting in over-shooting the aerodrome. He was uninjured but the aircraft was Cat. :AC” and the engine Cat. “A”. He subsequently had his log book endorsed for Carelessness.
F/SGT. GAJEWSKI and F/SGT. WOJCIK returned from Messrs Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby on cessation Merlin Engine Handling Course.
THORNABY
04.49. Two Sections at readiness.
06.04. One Section at readiness, and one at 15 minutes.
13.00. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
17.00. Two Sections at readiness.
22.00. Two Sections at readiness.
06.20. One Section took off from the forward base at Thornaby on a Dawn Patrol and returned at 07.20 with nothing of interest to report.
09.50. and 21.20. One Section took off at 09.50 and again at 21.20 to investigate “X” raid. No contact was made and the “Raids” proved to be friendly. The first Section returned at 10.50 and the second at 21.55.
1943-06-12
CATTERICK
Weather – sunny. Visibility good.
04.50. One Section at 30 minutes.
Throughout the day pilots took part in air-to-air firing and flight formation flying.
THORNABY
04.49. Two Sections at readiness.
06.05. One Section at readiness one Section at 15 minutes.
13.00. One Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
22.07. Two Sections at readiness.
16.35 and 16.45. Two Sections took off from the forward base at Thornaby to investigate “X” raid. No contact was made and the Raid proved to be friendly.
1943-06-13
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy, clouds 8-10/10ths at 3,000 feet. Visibility 3/5 miles.
04.50. One Section at readiness.
13.40 and 14.30. Eight aircraft carried out affiliation exercises with bombers landing at 13.50 and 15.35.
The pilots took part in practice train attacks from 19.50 to 21.40 hrs, and local flying and air-to-air firing.
THORNABY
04.49. Two sections at readiness.
06.05. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
10.00. One Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
22.10. Two sections at readiness.
20.10. One Section took off from the forward base at Thornaby to carry out Air/Sea rescue patrol. Nothing was seen however, and the pilots had nothing to report on landing.
1943-06-14
CATTERICK
Weather – good. Visibility – good.
22.09. 1 Section at 30 minutes.
10.20. Three aircraft carried out “Driver” exercises until 11.45 hrs.
15.30. Six aircraft took part in night patrol exercises until 16.10 hrs.
Sgt. Pilot H. SZWABA proceeded to Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby for Merlin Engine Handling Course.
S/Ldr. W. KARWOWSKI detached to 1530 Flight, Wittering for Beam approach training course.
THORNABY
04.48. Two sections at readiness.
12.10. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes.
22.15. 1 Section at readiness.
23.00. 1 Section at 30 minutes.
05.10. 1 Section took off from the forward base at Thornaby and carried out an Air/Sea rescue patrol without incident.
1943-06-15
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy, visibility good.
04.48. One Section at 30 minutes.
23.09. Two Sections at 60 minutes.
Between the hours of 10.00 and 16.55 15 aircraft carried out air-to-air firing.
18.30. Battle formation flying was carried out until 19.35 hrs.
20.30. Practice photo attacks carried out until 21.50 hrs.
F/Sgt. Kepczynski posted to 1601 Flight, Weston Zoyland for Target Towing duties.
W/O. Wojcik was promoted from F/Sgt to W/O (Permanent War Rank) with effect from 1/5/43.
Sergeants BEREZOWSKI, GAJEWSKI, POMIETLARZ, SZWABA, TOMCZAK, KAWNIK promoted to the permanent war rank of Flight Sergeant with effect from 1/5/43.
THORNABY
04.45. Two Sections at readiness.
06.05. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
23.09. Two Sections at readiness.
1943-06-16
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy, clouds 8-10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility 4/6 miles.
04.48. One Section at 30 minutes.
22.09. One Section at 30 minutes.
Throughout the day pilots took part in aerobatics, practice photo attacks, bomber affiliation and air to air firing.
THORNABY
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
22.10. Two Sections at readiness.
23.10. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
1943-06-17
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy, clouds 8-10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility 2/4 miles.
23.11. Two Sections at 30 minutes.
01.20. Six aircraft carried out Fighter Night practices until 02.55 hrs.
17.50. Six aircraft took part in practice battle formation flying until 19.05.
Pilots also took part in practice photo attacks, aerobatics, navigation exercises and local flying.
THORNABY
04.40. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
22.10. Two Sections at readiness.
23.10. One Section at 30 minutes.
1943-06-18
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy and misty with intermittent rain. Clouds 10/10ths at 1,500 feet.
Visibility poor.
08.48. One Section at 30 minutes.
23.11. Two Sections at 60 minutes.
F/Lt. Budzik, P/O. W. Paleolog, F/O. B.C. Kendall nad Sgt. Swistun proceeded on detachment to 15 (S) Mixed Division, Acklington for special exercise. On the first evening the 15 (S) Recce, division gave them a welcoming party which was very enjoyable. Throughout the weeks attachment the tree pilots and Intelligence Officer had a very interesting and enjoyable time.
F/O. (A/S/L) W. KARWOWSKI, F/O. J. KUROWSKI, F/O. K. BUDZIK, F/O. (A/F/L) Z. DRYBANSKI, F/O. S. KEDZIERSKI, P/O. E. KRZEMINSKI, F/O. (A/F/L) Z. LANGHAMER promoted to the Permanent War Rank of Flight Lieutenant with effect from the 1st September, 1942.
Sgt. H. SZWABA returned from Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby on completion of Merlin Engine Handling course.
THORNABY
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.15. One Section at readiness, one Section at 15 minutes.
14.00. One Section at 15 minutes, one Section at 30 minutes.
22.11. Two Sections at readiness.
05.10. One Section “Scrambled” from the forward base at Thornaby to investigate “X” raid. Was made and the “Raid” proved to be friendly.
1943-06-19
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy; clouds 10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility poor.
22.12. One Section at 30 minutes.
Training flying included low flying by 5 aircraft. local flying by four aircraft and one aircraft test.
F/Lt. Z. LANGHAMER was detached to 1530 Flight Wittering for a Beam Approach Training Course .
S/Ldr. W. KARWOWSKI returned from the B.A.T. Course at 1530 Flight, Wittering.
F/O. Z. JELINSKI and F/O. W. POTOCKI ceased to be detached to 1490 Flight Ayr.
THORNABY
04.49. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
22.12. Two Sections at readiness.
00.30. One Section at 30 minutes
09.40. One Section “Scrambled” from the forward base at Thornaby to investigate “X” raid. No contact was made and the raid proved to be friendly.
1943-06-20
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy; clouds 10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility good.
09.49. One Section at 30 minutes.
23.46. Two Sections at 30 minutes.
14.50. Four aircraft carried out “Road Transport attacks” landing at 16.00 hrs.
Training flying included, dog fighting, local flying and practice photo attacks.
THORNABY
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.00. One Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
22.11. One Section at 30 minutes.
1943-06-21
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy; clouds 8-10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility good.
22.12. One Section at 30 minutes.
01.12. Two Sections at 30 minutes.
Training flying included formation flying and navigation flying.
A Squadron aircraft recognition examination was given to the pilots by the Squadron Intelligence Officer. Recognition practices of tanks and aircraft by night were given by the Station Intelligence Officer at Catterick.
Corporal Greensitt (752788) Equipment Assistant posted to 950 Sqdn Lyness after serving with the Squadron since September, 1940.
THORNABY
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.00. One Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
11.30. Two Sections at 30 minutes.
22.10. Two Sections at readiness.
20.25. One Section took off from the forward base at Thornaby and carried out a Convoy Patrol. The Section returned to base after flying for 1 hr. and 5 mins. but had nothing to report.
1943-06-22
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy. Visibility good. Clouds 1//10ths at 2,000 feet.
22.12. One Section at readiness.
09.35. Air-to-Air Firing was carried out from 09.35 hrs to 12.05 hrs, 10 pilots taking parts.
14.55. Five pilots carried out cloud flying until 16.10 hrs.
Other training flying included affiliation with bombers by three aircraft and some local flying
F/O. S. TRONCZYNSKI detached to No. 1490 Flight Ayr for Fighter Gunnery Course.
F/O. E. TOMANEK ceased to be detached to the D.P.I.G. Blackpool.
W/O. S. WOJCIK and 5 airmen proceeded to No. 1490 Flight Ayr for No. 12 Gunnery Course.
Sgts. Swistun, Michalkiewicz and Martens promoted to the Permanent War Rank of Flight Sergeant with effect from 18/6/43.
THORNABY
01.20. One Section at 30 minutes.
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.12. One Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
13.20. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
22.15. One Section at readiness.
06.20. One Section took off from the forward base at Thornaby and carried out a “Dawn Patrol”. The Section returned after 1 hr 10 mins. flying with nothing to report.
1943-06-23
CATTERICK
Weather – sunny. Visibility good.
22.12. One Section at 30 minutes.
09.45. Between the hours of 09.45 and 17.35. 16 pilots took part in air-to-air firing.
10.05. Five aircraft took part in bomber attacks until 18.45 hrs.
F/Sgt. CZACHLA and F/Sgt. SZWABA were posted to No. 2 F.I.S. Montrose for Flying Instructor Course.
THORNABY
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.10. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
22.16. Two Sections at readiness.
21.10. One Section took off from the forward base at Thornaby and carried out a Convoy patrol. The Section returned to base after 1 hr 40 mins flying with nothing to report.
1943-06-24
CATTERICK
Weather – sunny. Visibility good.
20.50. One Section at 30 minutes.
22.12. One Section at readiness.
Throughout the day pilots took part in air-to-air firing, target towing and several aircraft tests.
Sgt. Pilot Swistun returned from No. 15 (S) Mixed Division together with F.Lt. K,. BUDZIK and P/O. W. PALEOLOG, also F.O. B.C. KENDALL, the Squadron Intelligence Officer.
F/O. SEMERLING gave a lecture to the pilots on “How I Escaped from France”.
THORNABY
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.02. One Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes.
09.05. Two Sections at readiness.
13.00. Two Sections at readiness.
19.39. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
1943-06-25
CATTERICK
Weather – sunny. Visibility good.
22.14. One Section at 30 minutes.
THORNABY
04.49. Two Sections at readiness.
06.02. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
13.25. Two Sections at readiness.
13.55. and 20.15. Two Section Scrambled from the forward base at Thornaby to investigate “X” raid. No contact was made and the “Raids” were proved to be friendly. The first section landed at 15.00 hrs and the second at 21.35 hrs.
Training flying included Army co-operation exercises, aerobatics, air-to-air firing, Squadron formation flying and some local flying.
01.30. One aircraft carried out Fighter Night practices landing at 03.05.
1943-06-26
CATTERICK
Weather – clouds 8-10/10ths at 3,000 feet. Visibility good.
22.10. One Section at readiness.
10.40. Nine aircraft carried out Squadron Formation flying and in addition Flight Formation flying, practice photo attacks, practice bomber attacks and aircraft tests were carried out.
F/Lt. J. KUROWSKI detached to No. 1530 Flight Wittering for B.A.T. Course.
P/O. W. PALEOLOG posted to R.A.F.Station, Catterick supernumerary non-effective sick.
THORNABY
04.48. Two Sections at readiness.
06.02. One Section at readiness, one at 15 minutes.
22.20. One Section at readiness.
22.12. Two Sections at readiness.
1943-06-27
CATTERICK
Weather – sunny with good visibility.
22.11 One Section at 30 minutes.
THORNABY
04.50. Two Sections at readiness.
06.02. One Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
13.00. One Section at readiness.
Throughout the day pilots took part in Air-to-air firing, photo attacks , aerobatics and some local flying.
1943-06-28
CATTERICK
Weather – misty.
22.12. 1 Section at readiness.
THORNABY
04.50. 2 Sections at readiness.
06.05. 1 Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
07.50. 1 Section at 15 minutes and 1 Section at 30 minutes.
22.12. 2 Sections at readiness.
Training flying included practice bomber attacks, practice photo attacks, Squadron and Flight Formation flying.
P/O. T. BRONIECKI posted from D.P.I.G. Blackpool supernumerary for Engineer duties.
1943-06-29
CATTERICK
Sunny with some local mist.
22.12. 1 Section at 30 minutes
THORNABY
04.15. 2 Sections at readiness.
06.05. 1 Section at readiness, 1 at 15 minutes.
18.35. 2 Sections at readiness.
22.30 2 Sections at readiness.
Throughout the day Squadron formation flying, air-to-air firing, battle formation flying, practice photo attacks and dog fighting exercises were carried out.
1943-06-30
CATTERICK
Weather – cloudy and misty with poor visibility.
22.12. One Section at 30 minutes.
THORNABY
04.50. Two Sections at readiness.
06.06. One Section at readiness and one at 15 minutes.
13.45. One Section at readiness.
22.15. Two Sections at readiness.
Eight aircraft took part in some local flying to Church Fenton and back.
Z. Langhamer
Flight Lieutenant, Commanding,
No. 306 (Polish) Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE
