Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-02-01

HESTON

Weather: Continuous drizzle and slight haze.
08.00. Squadron at 30 mins.
Throughout the day, formation flying was carried out by three pilots: aircraft tests and weather test.
PO Laszkiewicz was posted to the Squadron for flying duties, from No. 61 O.T.U. wef. 1/2/44
S/Ldr. S. Lapka the Squadron Commander proceeded on detachment to R.A.F. Station Millfield for an Air Support Course. P-782513 Sgt. Pilot S. Rudowski received P.W.R. on F/Sgt wef. 22/10/43. P-781300 F/Sgt E. Krzechlik reported on posting for flying duties, from 133 Airfield Heston ceasing to be N/E wef. 24/1/44.
A lecture was given to the pilots at Dispersal Point, by a Polish Land Army Officer and the subject was “Army Co-Operation”.

1944-02-02

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with intermittent rain.
07.56. Squadron at 30 mins.
Flight formation flying, and an aircraft test was carried out by the pilots today.
F/O S. Tronczynski returned from Course at No. 1 E.C.D.U. R.A.F. Station Westcott.
The pilots were given a lecture at Dispersal Point, by the Station Intelligence Officer Heston, the subject being “Night Bombing Technique” , “PATHFINDERS”

1944-02-03

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with slight haze.
07.54. Squadron at 30 mins.
12.20. 306 Squadron, 12 aircraft., took off from Heston with 315 Squadron for Operation Ramrod No 505. The Squadrons were acting as close escort to 54 Marauders which were bombing EMBRY RUISSENUVILLE: and LONGEVILLE. The bombers were 6 mins. late at rendezvous. Bombing was observed on the targets as detailed., but bombs were, however, seen to fall in the FOREST OF HARDELOT. No E/A were seen. Moderate, light flak was met over XI/A/65 Weather over France thin layers of dispersed cloud at 6,000 ft, and clouds 9/10ths at 8/12,000 ft. Visibility above clouds was good. Squadron landed at Heston at approx. 14.00 hrs.

1944-02.04

HESTON

Weather: Fine to cloudy but slight haze.
07.54. Squadron at 30 mins.
13.00. “B” Flight at. Readiness.
No flying was carried out at all today. The pilots were given another lecture at Dispersal Point. The subject of the lecture was “Prisoners of War – Methods of Interrogation G.A.F.”. This lecture was given by Station Intelligence Officer R.A.F. Heston.

1944-02-05

HESTON

Weather: Fair to cloudy with slight haze.
07.51. “A” Flight at. Readiness. “B” Flight at. 30 mins.
12.50. 11 aircraft of our Squadron took off from Heston, together with 315 Squadron for Operation Ramrod No. 517. Two Squadrons were led by W/Cdr Zak. Squadrons were to act as close escort to the first attack of bombers, in this Operation. Moderate, accurate, light flak, was experienced in the FERVENT area and target XI/A/117. One of the Marauders which our Squadron was covering, was seen to go into a spin and catch fire, in the area of FERVENT. Weather over France was 4 to 5/10ths cloud at 5/8,000 ft. Squadron landed at Heston at approx. 14.30 hrs.
Formation flying, including Battle formations, aircraft tests and local flying was undertaken by our pilots through the day.

1944-02-06

HESTON

Weather: Fine to cloudy with fog, later in the day.
No flying was carried out at all today.
A lecture was given to pilots in the Intelligence Room R.A.F. Heston by the Station Intelligence Officer. Subject was “Security”.

1944-02-07

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy to fair with slight haze.
07.48. Squadron at 30 mins.
Nine pilots carried out flight formation flying between 14.50 and 16.05 hrs today. Other flying included local flying and several aircraft test.
P-784125 F/S Pilot Michalkiewicz was admitted to SSQ. Heston.

1944-02-08

HESTON

Weather: Fair.
07.44. Squadron at 30 mins.
08.50. 11 aircraft of this Squadron took off from Heston for Operation Ramrod No. 526. Squadron was acting as close escort, together with 315 Squadron, to bombers attacking targets in France. Squadrons escorted the bombers on their missions without incident. Moderate, heavy flak was experienced, from CASSEL and FRUGES areas. Weather over France, 8/10ths cloud at 5/7,000 ft. One of our aircraft had to return to base ahead of the others, on account of engine trouble.
13.50. 11 aircraft of 306 Squadron again took off from Heston, this time for Operation Ramrod No. 529. 315 Squadron were also taking part. The Squadron acted as escort to bombers attacking targets in the PAS DE CALAIS area. Our Squadron acted as close escort to the first attack. In the target area, heavy and accurate flak was met. Flak was also seen to come up from the South WEST of ST. OMER and South of HESDIN. Weather in the target area was 4/10ths cloud at 8,000 ft. Other flying carried out today included aircraft tests. Squadron landed at Heston 15.40 hrs.

1944-02-09

HESTON

Weather: Fair to cloudy, but continuous rain.
07.44. Squadron at 30 mins.
08.55. 10 aircraft of our Squadron took off from Heston for Operation Ramrod No. 533. Squadron acted as close escort, along with 315 Squadrons to a formation of Marauders which was attacking “Noball” targets. Our Squadron covered to third attack. This operation was carried out without incident. Accurate and heavy flak however, was met over the target areas.
Squadron landed at Heston approximately 10.35.
13.45. 306 and 315 Squadrons were acting as close escort once again in Ramrod No. 537. 8 aircraft from this Squadron participated. The bombers were met and covered, according to plan, and the whole Operation passed without incident. Weather over France, 9/10ths cloud at 5/6,000 ft. Squadron landed at Heston at 15.20 hrs approx.
P-792015 F/S F. Tomczak was discharged from R.A.F. Hospital Cosford, and returned for flying duties in the Squadron.

1944-02-10

HESTON

Weather: Fair to cloudy but slight haze.
08.45. As usual 306 and 315 Squadrons took part as close escort, this time in Operation Ramrod No. 538. 11 aircraft took part in this Squadron. The Squadrons were escorting Marauders which were attacking “Noball” targets. Operation went according to plan. Slight but accurate flak in the target area was experienced. About ten miles before crossing the French Coast on the way out, one of the Marauders was seen to burst into flames, and two parachutes were observed to open. Weather over France 9/10ths cloud at 4-6,000 ft. Squadron landed at Heston 10.35 hrs.
Two pilots carried out fighter bombing training, and some local flying was carried out today.

1944-02-11

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with showers of rain.
07.30. Squadron at 30 mins.
11.09. 9 aircraft of our Squadron took off from Heston, acting as close escort to 3rd attack of bombers in Operation Ramrod No. 544. W/Cdr Zak led 306 and 315 Squadrons: there were altogether 22 a/c in this escort. The Bombers were met as arranged, and the formation then proceeded on course. The bombers turned back however, before the target area was reached as the weather was too bad: 10/10ths cloud at 5-7,000 ft. had made the Operation practically impossible. Our Squadron landed at Heston at 12.40 hrs.
P-784125 F/S Pilot K. Michalkiewicz, discharged from S.S.Q. Heston, re-joined the Squadron fit for flying. Besides the above Operational flying, other flying during the day, included several aircraft tests and Squadron formation flying by 9 aircraft.

1944-02-12

HESTON

Weather: Foggy.
07.35. Squadron at 30 mins.
The day flying was local flying and an aircraft test today.
P-1855 F/O A. Beyer reported on posting from No. 309 Polish Squadron for flying duties.

1944-02-13

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with intermittent rain.
07.37. Squadron at 30 mins.
No flying whatsoever, was carried out today.
A lecture was given to the pilots at Dispersal Point, by Station Intelligence Officer, the subject of this lecture being “Escape – On landing in Occupied Territory”

1944-02-14

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain.
07.36. Squadron at 30 mins.
15.10. “A” Flight at. 30 mins. “B” Flight at. Readiness.
12.25. 10 aircraft of 306 Squadron were acting as close escort to a formation of bombers attacking targets in France in Operation Ramrod No. 552. The Bombers were meet as arranged, and the Operation passed without incident. About two miles from the French Coast near AULT, 15 fishing boats flying yellow and black signal flags were observed. These boats were going in a North Eastrly direction. No E/A were seen, and there was no flak. Squadron took off and landed at Heston. Time of landing was approx. 15.15 hrs.
One pilot carried out sector recco, taking off at 16.40 and landing at 17.00 hrs.

1944-02-15

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy becoming fair, but slight haze.
07.19. “A” Flight at. Readiness.
09.35. 11 aircraft of 306 Squadron took off from Heston for Operation No. 556. In this Operation, the Squadron was acting as close escort to the 2nd attack of a formation of bombers. This Operation was uneventful and passed according to plan. Bomb bursts were seen in the target area by some of the pilots. Pin pointing was impossible however, owing to the haze at that time. Intense and accurate, heavy ack ack was sent up from the target area. Weather over France and target area cloudless with good visibility.
15.15. 306 Squadron: 10 aircraft: were acting as close escort to 2nd attack of bombers in Operation Ramrod No. 560. W/Cdr Kowalski was leading the formation of fighters, which took off from Heston. The Operation passed as planned and was uneventfull. Bombers were three minutes early at R/V. After bombing had been carried out, our pilots saw a heavy column of brown smoke in the target area. On going in, over LE TREPORT area, slight and accurate flak was encountered. Weather was clear. Squadron landed at Heston 16.45 hrs.

1944-02-16

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with intermittent rain.
07.16. Squadron at 30 mins.
No flying was carried out today.
P-2458 F/O K. Bzowski reported on posting from D.G.I.P. Blackpool for flying duties wef. 14/2/44.

1944-02-17

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with intermittent rain.
07.14. Squadron at 30 mins.
No flying was carried out today.

1944-02-18

HESTON

Weather: Intermittent snow and rain.
07.13. Squadron at 30 mins.
13.00. “A” Flight at. Readiness. “B” Flight at. 30 mins.
The only flying which was carried out today was three aircraft tests.

1944-02-19

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy and hazy. Snow at times.
07.11. “A” Flight at. 30 mins. “B” Flight at. Readiness.
No flying carried out today.
S/Ldr. Lapka returned from the Air Support Course at R.A.F Millfield.

1944-02-20

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with haze.
08.20. “A” Flight at. Readiness. “B” Flight at. 30 mins.
15.50. 11 aircraft took off from Heston together with 315 Squadron. The two Squadrons were to form a “Fighter Umbrella” over a formation of bombers, which were going to bomb targets in France in Operation Ramrod No. 569. W/Cdr Kowalski led the two Squadrons, and they covered the 1st attack. This Operation was carried out according to plan, and there wasnothing of interest to report. Weather 10/10ths cloud from 1,500 to 5,000 ft. Squadron touched down at Heston at approx. 17.35 hrs.
Aircraft tests and some local flying, was carried out by the pilots, in addition to the above.

1944-02-21

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with slight haze.
07.40. Squadron at 30 mins.
10.30. 11 aircraft took off from Heston and carried out Army Co-Operation training, landing 11.35 hrs.
14.55. 11 aircraft took off from Heston and carried out Squadron Formation flying, landing 16.00 hrs.
S/Ldr Lapka, the Squadron Commander gave a lecture, which all pilots attended. The little off this lecture was “Fighter Aircraft and Pilots –New Roles – Fighter Bomber.

1944-02-22

HESTON

Weather: Fair to cloudy, but snow showers.
07.03. Squadron at 30 mins.
11.50. Ten aircraft of this Squadron took off from Heston and flew to Ford, returning from that Station and landing at Heston 15.15. The Squadron was to go on Operations from Ford, but the weather turned out to bad and the Operation were cancelled.
F/Lt Z. Lnghamer the Flight Commander of “B” Flight was posted to D.G.I.P. on completion of 2nd Operational Tour. F/Lt K. Sporny arrived on posting from 61 OUT and took over the Command of “B” Flight.

1944-02-23

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with moderate fog.
07.01. “A” Flight at. 30 mins. “B” Flight at. Readiness.
No flying was carried out today.
F/Os Szajda and Potocki proceeded on detachment to No. 122 Airfield: Gravesend.
Three lectures were given to the pilots by Intelligence Officer, Heston, on “Master II Aircraft”.

1944-02-24

HESTON

Weather: Fine, with slight haze in the afternoon.
07.00. Squadron at 30 mins.
Between the hours of 07.25 and 11.15 hrs today, aircraft of 306 Squadron were ordered to carry out patrols over a Convoy. Our pilots carried out these patrols in pairs. The convoy of Merchant ships and barges were unloading their cargoes in the vicinity of Portsmouth. All the patrols were carried out as ordered. 8 pilots took part in this operation, and all landed without having anything to report.
Three aircraft tests were carried out through the day.

1944-02-25

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy and foggy in the afternoon.
07.00. Squadron at 30 mins.
11.35. 9 aircraft of 306 Squadron took off from Heston. The Squadron together with aircraft of 315 Squadron were acting as close escort to the third attack of bombers which were attacking military targets in France in Operation Ramrod No. 589. The Operation was carried out according to plan. Intense heavy ack ack was met in the target area, and this was accurate. Two Mitchel Bombers were seen to be down in the Channel, and later three parachutes were seen, two miles East of the “Fix” which our pilots had given for the position of the bombers.
Weather over the target area was clear. Squadron Landed at Heston at 13.20.34 hrs.
15.35. 8 aircraft of 306 Squadron took off once again from Heston, with aircraft of 315 Squadron, this time for Operation Ramrod No. 593. The two Squadrons were again acting as close escort to bombers, and they were ordered to cover the 1st attack. The Operation was carried out as planned and it passed without incident. Weather over France – 10/10ths cloud at 5,000 ft. Several aircraft tests were carried out after Squadron had landed at Heston at 17.20 hrs.

1944-02-26

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with moderate fog.
07.00. Squadron at 30 mins.
No flying whatsoever was carried out today.

1944-02-27

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with moderate fog, turning to haze in the afternoon.
06.53. “B” Flight at. Readiness. “A” Flight one Section at Readiness: two sections at 15 mins.
The only flying that was carried out today comprised of two aircraft tests.

1944-02-28

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with moderate fog, hazy in the afternoon.
06.51. Squadron at 30 mins.
12.35. 11 aircraft of our Squadron took off from Heston in order to take part in Operation Ramrod No. 597. 306 Squadron was acting as close escort to the third attack of a formation of bombers. In this Operation, 306 Squadron was acting as close escort to the third attack of a formation of bombers. The bombers were going to bomb military targets in France. The bombers were five mins late at R/V. 306 and 315 Squadrons orbitted until they arrived, then set course of the target as arranged. No E/A were seen and no flak was encountered on this Operation. Weather over France cloudless. Squadron landed at Heston at approx. 14.30 hrs.
Five pilots carried out local flying also throughout today.

1944-02-29

HESTON

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Snow showers later in day.
06.52. Squadron at 30 mins.
12.50. 12 aircraft of our Squadron took off from Heston for Operation Ramrod No. 602. In this Operation our Squadron was once again acting as close escort to bombers attacking targets in France. The Squadrons (306 and 315) covered the fourth attack of the formation. Operation was carried out according to plan and was without incident. Bombs were not seen dropped. No flak was encountered, and no E/A.
Weather: Clouds at 5/6,000 ft. Squadron landed at Heston at 14.20 hrs approx.
One pilot did an aircraft test, and three other pilots carried out training in the way of dropping smoke bombs into the sea.

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