Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-02-01

Squires Gate

Four Harrow aircraft, and Defiants N.1545, N.1686 arrived from Jurby thus completing the Squadron Move from Jurby to Squires Gate. Magister aircraft T.9843 remeins at Jurby pending arrival of spare parts. F/Lt. Tanski, F/O. Lewandowski, P/O. Waltos, pilots, and Sgts. Karais, Zakrocki, and Stengierski, air gunners, arrived from Jurby. F/O. Gierasimowicz, one F/Sgt. Fitter Arm A.E., one Sgt. Interpreter and 13 other ranks, comprising the rear Party arrived from Jurby by Harrow aircraft. Weather conditions were favourable throughout the day and flying training continued.
Total Flying Hours:- 19.15 (day) , 8.45 (night).

1941-02-02

Squires Gate

Good weather prevailed during the day and training was continued. P/O. Marx Ops. “B” Officer arrived from Speke on attachment as Squadron Operations Officer. After a weather test had been made it was decided that conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours:- 18.25 (day) , 1.00 (night)

1941-02-03

Squires Gate

Weather continued to be fine and practice formation took place and interception exercises carried out. Practice night flying continued until 02.30 hours on 4th. February. P/O. Costie, Ops. “B” Officer reported for duty on attachment from Wittering as Squadron operations Officer.
Total Flying Hours:- 16.50 (day) , 17.00 (night)

1941-02-04

Squires Gate

Weather deteriorated during the morning and fog settled on the aerodrome making flying impossible. W/Cdr. Godden of H.Q. No. 9 Group visited the Squadron in connection with flying training.
Total Flying Hours:- 5.40 (day)

1941-02-05

Squires Gate

Snow acompanied by strong winds made flying imposssible.
Total Flying Hours:- NIL.

1941-02-06

Squires Gate

A rapid change in weather conditions enabled flying training to continue both by day and by night. P/O. Hartley returned to H.Q. No. 9 Group on cessation of attachment to the Unit. One AC. Armourer proceeded to H.Q. No. 9 Group on attachment.
Total Flying Hours:- 21.20 (day) , 13.05 (night)

1941-02-07

Squires Gate

Practice homing and R.T. was carried out under favourable weather conditions. Night flying was also carried out.under favourable P/O. Breffit, Intelligence Officer, left on posting to 9 Group Sector H.O. Jurby. P/O. Ebenrytter during night flying landed Defiant N.3432 with under-carriage retracted and damaged this aircraft.
Total Flying Hours:- 7.35 (day) , 12.00 (night)

1941-02-08

Squires Gate

Training continuedc during the day and conditions were suitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours:- 7.35 (day) , 6.45 (night)

1941-02-09

Squires Gate

Weather conditions continued to be favourable and flying training was continued.
21.15 One Section at readiness and ordered to patrol off Formby. No interception was made.
22.15 Aircraft landed.
Total Flying Hours:- 5.05 (day) , 14.25 (night)

1941-02-10

Squires Gate

Training in homing and R.T. continued and formation flying took place in the afternoon. It is reported that British parachute troops have been dropped in Italy. This is the first time in the history of the Royal Air Force that troops on active service have landed in this manner.
Total Flying Hours:- 13.20 (day) , 12.20 (night)

1941-02-11

Squires Gate

Weather deteriorated during the day and flying training was curtailed.
Total Flying Hours:- 7.10 (day)

1941-02-12

Squires Gate

Weather was unsuitable for flying. Sgt. Mikszo (pilot) left for Bramcote on posting to No. 305 Squadron.
Total Flying Hours:- NIL.

1941-02-13

Squires Gate

Weather was again unsuitable for flying. Twao AC. Armourers (British) left on posting to No. 59 O.T.U. Turnhouse. These are the first two postings under the scheme to withdraw British personnel from the Squadron. One AC. Instrument Repairer reported for duty on posting from Hereford.
Total Flying Hours:- NIL.

1941-02-14

Squires Gate

A slight improvement in weather conditions enabled limited flying to take place. Night flying was not possible.
Total Flying Hours:- 3.25 (day)

1941-02-15

Squires Gate

Weather improved and flying training was continued particularly formation flying, R.T. practice, and homing. During the night enemy aircraft dropped flares in the vicinity of the aerodrome but no bombs were dropped. Squadron aircraft were on patrol but no interception was made.
F/Lt. Jakszewicz and F/O. Koterla left on attachment to Speke for duty in the Operations Room.
Total Flying Hours:- 14.40 (day) , 6.25 (night)

1941-02-16

Squires Gate

At 00.30 hours two Defiants were ordered to patrol Formby Point. Aircrsft landed at 01.40 hrs. Very bad atmosphere conditions prevailed and visibility for landing was extremely bad. P/O. Alexandrowicz collided with a roller close to the runway damaging Defiant N.3402. One Clerk G.D.(Polish) British and three Patrol Drivers (British) were posted away from the Squadron under the programme for withdrawal of British personnel.
Total Flying Hours:- 15.05 (day) , 2.20 (night)

1941-02-17

Squires Gate

Weather conditions were favourable during the day and flying training continued. Sgt. K. Bochenski, pilot, and Sgt. Frackiewicz, gunner, were both killed when Defiant N.3314 crashed when executing low altitude aerobatics. P/O. Robinson, Gunner Officer, returned to the Unit on completion of the Squadron Leader’s Course at Warmwell. The following British personnel were posted away from the Squadron and left to join their new Units:- 1 F/Sgt. Fitter I, 1 F/Sgt. Fitter AE, 2 Cpls. Fitter AE, 1 Cpl. F/Arm., 1 AC. Equip. Asst., 1 AC. F/Arm, and 2 AC. Arm. Weather was unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours:- 13.55 (day)

1941-02-18

Squires Gate

Weather deteriorated steadily throughout the day and only a limited amount of day flying training was possible.
Total Flying Hours:- 9.10 (day)

1941-02-19

Squires Gate

Weather conditions were not suitable for flying. P/O. Marx, Ops “B” Officer, returned to Speke on cessation of attachment[nieczytelne]s Squadron Operations Officer.
Total Flying Hours:- NIL.

1941-02-20

Squires Gate

Weather conditions were again unsuitable for flying. P/O. Nelson, Ops “B” Officer, reported for duty on attachment from R.A.F. Station, Speke as Squadron Operations Officer. F/O Butterfield, Education Officer, reported for duty on attachment from R.A.F. Polish Depot, Blackpool. 1 AC. Arm. Returned to the Unit on cessation of attachment to H.Q. No. 9 Group.
Total Flying Hours:- NIL.

1941-02-21

Squires Gate

A morning rehearsal of “Shortshrift” was carried out by 5 aircraft of “A” Flight. Night flying training was continued. 1 British Cpl. M.R. left on posting to No. 316 Squadron, Pembrey. Sgts. Bochenski and Frackiewicz were buried at Layton Cemetary, Blackpool.
Total Flying Hours:- 6.05 (day) , 7.10 (night)

1941-02-22

Squires Gate

Flying training in Formation flying and R.T. practice continued through the day. Night flying was not
Possible owing to unsuitable conditions. P/O. Szablowski, Pilot, left on posting to 10 [nieczytelne].&G.S. Dumfries.
Total Flying Hours:- 15.35 (day)

1941-02-23

Squires Gate

Weather conditions were suitable for training. F/Lt. Lumsden, No. 3 S. Of G.R., Flying Defiant N.3339 was compelled to make a forced landing on he sands at St. Annes as the fin and rudder of the aircraft had been cut off by the airscrew of a second machine when he was attempting to land on the aerodrome. F/Sgt. Nash, Fitter I, left the Squadron on posting to Newton., Sgt. Skiba, pilot., reported for duty on posting from No. 255 Squadron, Kirton-in-Lindsay.
Total Flying Hours:- 14.55 (day)

1941-02-24

Squires Gate

Homing and R.T practices were carried out during the day but the weather was unsuitable for night flying. A Fitting Party comprised of 1 Cpl. And 2 AC. Radio Mechanics arrived from Kenley on attachment for I.F.F. fitting.
Total Flying Hours:- 9.40 (day)

1941-02-25

Squires Gate

At 04.45 hours Defiant N.3375 took off on an operational patrol. The aircraft collided with a stationary lorry on the runway during take-off and 625576 A.C.1. Short, Petrol Driver, was killed. The aircraft landed at the side of runway, both pilot and air gunner were uninjured. Flying training continued during the day, but the weather was not suitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours:- 9.45 (day) NIL (night)

1941-02-26

Squires Gate

Weather conditions were again unfavourable. F/Lt. Tanski left the Squadron on posting to No. 5 B.&G.S. Jurby
Total Flying Hours:- 0.55 (day)

1941-02-27

Squires Gate

Very bad weather conditions prevailed and flying training had to be abandoned. A Court of Enquiry into the death of A.C.1. Short was held at Squires Gate.
Total Flying Hours:- 1.15 (day)

1941-02-28

Flying training continued during the day, but the weather was again unsuitable for night flying. F/Lt. Donovan left the Unit on posting to No. 316 Squadron, Pembrey.
Total Flying Hours:- 13.15 (day)

Summary of flying for February.
Operational flying by day 1.00 hours
“ “ “ night 44.15 “
Non-operational flying – day 225.12 “
“ “ “ – night 53.10 “
Total. 323.37 “

[Illegible]
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 307 (Polish) Squadron,
28th. February, 1941
RAF. Squires Gate, Blackpool, Lancs.