Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1945-09-01

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Aircraft test only – Nothing to report.

1945-09-02

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

No flying – Nothing to report.

1945-09-03

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Aircraft tests and local sorties only. Nothing to report.

1945-09-04

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Squadron released for the day for Squadron Aniversary. Special Mass was held in the morning. Lunch was served at the Dispersal Point. The A.O.C. 12 Group attended. In the evening a Squadron Dance was held in the Airmens Mess Hall.

1945-09-05

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Aircraft tests and local sorties. Nothing to report.

1945-09-06

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Pilots carried out Battle formation: Fighter attacks: and Cloud flying through the day. There is nothing to report.

1945-09-07

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Squadron formation flying and Navigation training today. Nothing to report.

1945-09-08

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

10.15. 13 Pilots and aircraft of this Squadron participated in a “Fly Past” over H.Q. 12 Group: landed Base 12.05 hrs. Nothing to report.

1945-09-09

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

No flying – Nothing to report.

1945-09-10

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Training flying through today: Formation: Dog Fighting: and Wing Formation from 14.35 to 16.00 – 11 pilots from this Squadron.

1945-09-11

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

No flying today. P.792229 W/O Pilot Dowgalski, E was posted to 303 Polish Squadron at RAF Andrews Field for flying duties wef: todays date.

1945-09-12

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

16.15. Nine pilots and A/C of this Squadron took part in a Practice Wing Demonstration Flight over Base landed 17.55. News received from Air Ministry that death of P.2224 F/O Pilot OBERDAK, C is now presumed to have occurred on 30.5.44. F/O Oberdak was reported Missing on that date and no news has been received since.

1945-09-13

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

15.30. Nine pilots and a/c carried out further Wing Demonstration Flying until 17.10. Nothing to report.

1945-09-14

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

09.55. 133 Wing carried out further Formation flying in preparation for the Battle of Britain “Fly Past”. Nine pilots and a/c 306 Squadron participated landed Base 11.30. Nothing to report.

1945-09-15

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

11.45. 133 Wing participated in the Mass “Fly Past” over London in the Battle of Britain Aniversary today. Fourteen pilots and aircraft from 306 Squadron. Without incident. Aircraft landed Base 13.35 hrs. Messages of Congratulation appear in Appendix “A”.

1945-09-16

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

No flying – Nothing to report.

1945-09-17

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

13.05. 10 Pilots carried out a long range navigation exercise – Paris: Brussels: Rotterdam and Amsterdam: landing Base 17.15. Without incident. Nothing to report.

1945-09-18

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Training consisting of: Practice Scrambles: Interception: Aerobatics: Navigation: through the day. Nothing to report.

1945-09-19

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Pilots carried out more training throughout today. Training consisted of:- Aerobatics: Photo: Formation: Battle formation: Dog fighting: Dusk and night flying.
P-1899 F/Lt Tronczynski, S was posted Supy to P.A.F. Depot pending disposal.

1945-09-20

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Battle formation: Practice interception: Low Navigation: by Squadron pilots. Nothing to report.

1945-09-21

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Squadron formation flying: Navigation: Practice Bombing: Dusk and night flying by pilots. Nothing to report.

1945-09-22

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

No flying - Nothing to report.

1945-09-23

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Local sorties and tests. P.2929 F/O Szostakowski detached to Rolls Royce Ltd for Merlin Engine Handling Course.

1945-09-24

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Aerobatics: Formation flying and Battle formation by our pilots through today.
P.2434 F/Lt Harasymowicz, S the Unit Medical Officer admitted to SSQ Coltishall.

1945-09-25

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

10.15. 6 pilots carried out Formation and Navigation flying until 12.27. Nothing to report.
15.20. 8 pilots carried out a Group Practice Interception sortie landing Base 16.14.

1945-09-26

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Cloud flying: Battle formation: Cloud flying: and Sector Reccos through today. Nothing to report.

1945-09-27

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Formation: Practice Bombing: Low flying: Navigation by pilots through the day.
P.2929 P/O Szostakowski, J – Promoted to the P.W.R. of F/O wef: 27.6.45 Authy: A.M. letter
P.2935 P/O Zyborski, A – DGP/A/17/45/ dated 8/8/45.

1945-09-28

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

Battle formation: Navigation: Low Flying: Nothing to report.

1945-09-29

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

14.15. Nine pilots and aircraft took part in a Fly Past over BIRMINGHAM landed Base 15.55.
P.2929 F/O Szostakowski, J returned from the Merlin Engine Handling Course at Messrs Rolls Royce Ltd Derby.

1945-09-30

R.A.F. COLTISHALL

No flying. P.2434 F/Lt Harasymowicz, S was discharged from SSQ Coltishall.

Monthly Flying times for September 1945:-
Non Operational by Day – Mustang III – 418 hrs 10 mins
Non Operational by Night – Mustang III – 75 hrs 00 mins
Non Operational by Day –Auster III – 12 hrs 30 mins
Non Operational by Day – Mustang I – 1 hr 00 mins
TOTAL . 506 hrs 40 mins.

Lectures attended by aircrew through the month:-
3rd “Lifeboats” – 2 hrs
8th “Aircraft Recognition” – 1 hr
9th “Aircraft Recognition” – 2 hrs
11th “Navigation” – 3 hrs
12th “Navigation and Aircraft Recognition” – 2 hrs
13th “Visit to the Operations Room Horsham Station.
24th “New types of Aircraft” – 1 hr

Messages of Congratulation on the Battle of Britain Fly Past over London 15.9.45.

Headquarters 11 Group Signal A0851 dated 16.9.45 reads:- FROM AOC DURING HIS BRIEF VISIT TO FIGHTER COMMAND ON 15th SEPTEMBER IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR LORD DOWDING TO MEET ANY OF THE POLISH SQUADRONS BUT HE ASKED ME TO TEEL RHEM THAT HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN THEIR MAGNIFICENT EFFORT.

Headquarters 12 Group Signal A.959 dated 17.9.45 reads:- FROM THE A.O.C. GROUP 11 REQUEST YOU THANK ALL CONCERNED FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN CARRYING THROUGH THE PRACTICES AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN FLIGHT OVER LONDON. I REALISE THAT BAD WEATHER HAD MADE THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND CALLED FOR MANY CHANGES IN ARRANGEMENTS AND PLANS WHICH MUST HAVE AFFECTED ALL RANKS – WHEN YOU BRING THIS TO THE NOTICE OF ALL CONCERNED I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ADD MY OWN THANKS FOR THE GOOD SHOW PUT UP BY THE UNITS OF 12 GROUP WHICH TOOK PART IN THE FLY PAST.

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