Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-03-01

HESTON

Weather: Clouds, 8 – 10/10ths at 2,500ft. Visibility poor.
06.55. Squadron at 30 mins.
No flying whatsoever was carried out today.

1944-03-02

HESTON

Weather: Fair to cloudy, clouds 4 to 6/10ths at 2,500ft. Visibility 3 to 6 mls.
06.46. “A” Flight at. Readiness.
15.50. 11 aircraft of 306 Squadron took off from Heston to take part in Operation “Ramrod No. 612”. Squadron together with 315 Sqdn. were acting as close escort to 2nd attack of bombers, proceeding to attack “No-ball” targets in France. The operation was carried out according to plan and bomb bursts were observed in the target area. Slight and inaccurate flak was experienced from 775579/9E2. Weather 5 to 7/10ths at 7/10,000 ft. Pilots reported on their return that this trip was uneventful. Landed at Heston 17.50 hrs approx.

1944-03-03

HESTON

Weather: Fair: clouds 4/10ths at 2,500ft. Visibility 5 miles.
08.30. “B” Flight at. Readiness. “A” Flight at. 30 mins.
Throughout the day, pilots carried out C.G.I. practice, Formation flying and practice “Scrambles”. F/Os POTOCKI and SZAJDA returned from No. 122 Airfield on completion of course.

1944-03-04

HESTON

Weather: Fair: Clouds 3 to 5/10ths at 2,500ft. Visibility 3 miles.
06.40. Squadron at 30 mins.
Squadron formation, G.C.I. training and diving practice, flying was carried out by the pilots today. F/O S. HARASYMOWICZ the Squadron Medical Officer, returned from R.A.F. Cosford, on completion of Orthopedic course. This course commenced on 27/2/44.

1944-03-05

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with slight haze. Clouds 8 to 10/10ths at 2,000ft. Visibility 4 to 5 miles.
06.43. Squadron at 30 mins.
13.00. “B” Flight at. Readiness.
16.35. Our pilots took off from Heston for Operation “Ramrod No. 628”. In this Operation, six a/c from this Squadron were acting as “Fighter umbrella” to bombers which were bombing targets in France. Operation proceeded as planned and was without incident. Aircraft landed Heston 18.20hrs.

1944-03-06

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy: Clouds 9/10ths at 4,000ft. Visibility 3 miles.
06.38. “A” Flight at. 30 mins. “B” Flight at. Readiness.
12 aircraft carried out Navigation flying training in the afternoon. One pilot carried out an aircraft test.
P-782488 Sgt Pilot KONECKI was posted from Operational flying to 16 P.S.F.T.S. for duty as Staff Pilot.

1944-03-07

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with slight drizzle. Clouds 8 to 10/10ths at 2,000ft. Visibility 5 miles.
13.00. Squadron at 30 mins.
16.20. Twelve aircraft took off from Heston for Operation “Ramrod No. 636”. They were to act as close escort to the 1st attack of bombers which were once again, bombing targets in France. The bombers were met covered according to plan. But as 10/10ths cloud was encountered, at 5/6,000ft, the formation was ordered to return just before reaching the French coast. Our pilots landed at Heston 17.50hrs approx.
In addition to the Operational flying: pilots carried out local flying and a/c tests today.

1944-03-08

HESTON

Weather: Fair. Visibility good. Clouds 3/10ths at 8,000 to 12,000ft.
06.35. Squadron at 30 mins.
09.45. “A” Flight at. Readiness.
Four pilots carried out Navigation and practice photo attacks today between 10.55 and 11.50 hrs.

1944-03-09

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with slight drizzle. Clouds 10/10ths at 2,000ft. Visibility 2 to 4 miles.
06.29. Squadron at 30 mins.
13.00. “A” Flight at. Readiness. “B” Flight at. 30 mins.
Cloud flying and Navigation excercises were undertaken throughout today by our pilots.

1944-03-10

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy, clouds 8/10 to 10/19ths at 2,500ft. Visibility 2 to 4 miles.
06.00. Squadron at. Readiness.
07.15. One Section at Readiness: one at 15 mins.
Formation flying / three aircraft / and cloud flying was carried out in the morning. Low navigation training was also carried out.
P/O G. SWISTUN and J. SMIGIELSKI reported on posting for flying duties from 315 Polish Sqdn.

1944-03-11

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy, clouds from 6 to 10/10ths at 2,000ft. Visibility 400 yds at first, improving.
06.26. Squadron at 30 mins.
In the morning, pilots carried out navigation training and cloud flying, over base.
14.50. Twelve aircraft of our Squadron took off from Heston / Operation “Ramrod No. 647”/ They were acting as close escort to 2nd attack of a formation of bombers which were to attack targets in France. Operation proceeded as planned, there being nothing of interest to report. Moderate but inaccurate flak, was however, met in the target area. Weather over France 10/10ths cloud at 4 to 8,000ft. Our pilots landed at Heston at approx. 16.35 hrs.

1944-03-12

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy, slight rain, clouds 8 to 10/10ths at 2,000 ft. Visibility 2 to 4 miles
06.22. Squadron at 30 mins.
Only one aircraft flew today. The pilot carried out an aircraft test, and flew for 15 mins. Preparations were being made, by the mechanics, prior to the Squadrons departure for training to No. 13 A/P/C at R.A.F. Station Llanbedr.

1944-03-13

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with showers, 6 to 8/10ths at 2,000ft. Visibility 3 to 5 miles
06.20. Squadron at 30 mins.
13.00. “A” Flight at. 30 mins. “B” Flight at Readiness.
A lecture was given to the pilots by an Army Captain / Polish / subject being “Army Co-Operation”.
Advance party of 6 Officers, 4 N.C.O.s. and the English Cleark G.D., went to 15 A/P/C. Llanbedr on Advance Party.

1944-03-14

HESTON

Weather: Fair, but rain later in day. Clouds 6 to 10/10ths at 3,000ft. Visibility 3 to 5 miles.
06.17. “B” Flight at Readiness.
P-793793 f/Sgt Pilot GAJEWSKI, J. was posted to 61 O.T.U. Rednal for duty as flying instructor.
No flying was carried out today.
Lectures were given to the pilots, at Dispersal Point, subject “Mustang III Aircraft” “Cockpit Drill and tactics”. F/O Potocki was the lecturer.

1944-03-15

HESTON

Weather: Fair. Clouds 6 to 10/10ths Visibility 3 to 5 miles.
06.15. Squadron at 30 mins.
13.05. Twenty aircraft took off from Heston, landing Llanbedr 14.25 hrs.

1944-03-16

LLANBEDR

Weather: in the morning U/S due to rain, and mist from the mountains.
Pilots carried out clay pigeon shooting with rifles and pistols.
A lecture was given to the pilots, by the Officer Commanding No. 13 A/P/C. on the object of the course, rules and flying regulations. In the afternoon pilots carried out air to ground firing.

1944-03-17

LLANBEDR

Weather: Fine with good visibility.
Pilots carried out air to air firing and air to ground firing, throughout the day. Clay pigeon shooting with rifles was also carried out. Pilots visited the Station range for rifle practice.
P/O SMIGIELSKI, whilst taxying his aircraft onto the runway, struck a bad patch of earth: the a/c nosed [over] for a second and the tip of the airscrew was damaged. Aircraft was Cat: “A/C”.

1944-03-18

LLANBEDR

Weather: Slight haze and drizzle.
Pilots had a lecture in the Lecture room on the working of the ranges in the district. Throughout the day our pilots took part in air to air firing and strafing training. A total of 12 Sorties and 5 hrs flying time.
F/O S. HARASYMOWICZ, the Squadron Medical Officer reported for duty at Llanbedr.

1944-03-19

LLANBEDR

Weather: Fine with very good visibility.
Throughout today, our pilots carried out a total of 35 Sorties on training. These Sorties included air to air firing, air to ground firing, bombing, photo attacks, and Squadron formation flying.
2 pilots returned to R.A.F. Station Heston by air. The two a/c were due for major inspection and were ordered to return to base.

1944-03-20

LLANBEDR

Weather: Fine. Good visibility.
Squadron returned to R.A.F. Station Heston by aircraft, train and private cars.
Before leaving 13 A/P/C the pilots were congratulated by the Officer Commanding. Their scores had compared most favourably with other Squadrons having carried out similar training. Aircraft took off from Llanbedr at 1205hrs landing at Heston 13.30 hrs.

1944-03-21

LLANBEDR, HESTON

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain. Clouds 10/10ths at 2,500ft. Visibility poor.
No flying was carried out today. Mechanics busied themselves with the aircraft, putting them serviceable once again after training at Llanbedr.

1944-03-22

HESTON

Weather: Fair: Visibility up to 4 miles.
06.00. Squadron at 30 mins.
10.25. Twelve aircraft flew to Tangmere, returning at 14.50 hrs. These aircraft later took off and carried out Squadron formation flying over base for 50 mins. Other flying carried out today was mostly local flying in the non-operational aircraft Auster and Tiger Moth.

1944-03-23

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy becoming fair. Visibility 1/3,000yds.
05.57. Squadron at 30 mins.
07.45. Squadron at 30 mins.
08.50. Squadron at. Readiness.
09.00. 12 aircraft took part in Army Co-Operation exercises, carrying out ground strafing practice landing at Heston 09.20. A further 12 aircraft repeated this exercise in the afternoon.

1944-03-24

HESTON

Weather: Fair. Visibility 1-4,000yds.
05.55. Squadron at 30 mins.
13.00. “A” Flight at. 30 mins. “B” Flight at Readiness.
09.00. Eleven aircraft flew to Friston, landing at 09.20.
12.30. Eleven aircraft flew from Friston, landing Heston at 12.50.

1944-03-25

HESTON

Weather: Fair and cloudless, visibility 1 to 3,000yds.
05.52. “A” Flight at. 30 mins. “B” Flight at Readiness.
No flying was carried out today.

1944-03-26

HESTON

Weather: Fair. No low cloud. Visibility 2,000yds to 6 miles.
05.50. Squadron at 30 mins.
15.00. Twelve aircraft carried out Squadron Formation flying and practice ground strafing, landing at Heston 15.50 hrs.
Two Mustang III aircraft which had been delivered during the week, were flown for the first time in the Squadron. Squadron is to be re-equipped with Mustang III aircraft.
18.45. Twelve aircraft flew to R.A.F. Station Manston, landing at the Station 19.20 hrs.
F/O K. MARSCHALL, F/Sgt Pilot TOMCZAK and F/Sgt Pilot MROZOWSKI proceeded to R.A.F. Station Farnham for Camouflage Course.

1944-03-27

HESTON

Weather: Fair. No low cloud.
13.55. Twelve aircraft returned from Manston, landing Heston at 14.30 hrs. 4 a/c tests in afternoon.
F/O S. HARASYMOWICZ returned from R.A.F. Station Llanbedr.

1944-03-28

HESTON

Weather: Foggy and cloudy.
Some local flying only was carried out today.
14.30. Squadron at 60 mins.

1944-03-29

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy, slight drizzle and fog.
05.50. Squadron at 60 mins.
No flying was carried out today.
Three pilots returned from the camouflage course at R,A,F, Station Farnham.

1944-03-30

HESTON

Weather: Cloudy, visibility 2,000yds to 4 miles.
05.48. Squadron at 60 mins.
Throughout the day several of the pilots carried out training on the new Mustang III aircraft flying locally and in all 9 Sorties. Squadron has now received information that re-equipping will be completed during April.

1944-03-31

HESTON

Weather: Fair and fine with good visibility.
05.10. “A” Flight at. Readiness. “B” Flight at 30 mins.
09.00. “B” Flight at Readiness.
13.00. Squadron at 60 mins.
Some local flying was carried out throughout today.

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