1941-07 - No. 307 Squadron - F540
Data entered by Ryszard Wróbel on 28 Jul 2007 and viewed 806 times.
1941-07-01
Exeter
00.40 Defiant T.3946 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.30 Defiant T.3946 landed and reported no incident.
01.35 Defiant N.3315 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
03.00 Defiant N.3315 landed and reported no incident.
Weather conditions were favourable throughout the day and training was continued. An Army co-operation flight was carried out.
Total Flying Hours :- 8.50 (day) , 2.15 (night).
1941-07-02
Exeter
00.55 Defiants T.3991 and T.4002 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.10 Defiant T.4010 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
02.05 Defiant T.3991 landed and reported no incident.
02.10 Defiants T.4002 and T.4010 landed and reported no incidents.
Flying training was continued throughout the day under excellent weather conditions. Cross countries and formation flying were carried out and also an Army Co-operation exercise. A searchlight co-operation exercise was carried out at night.
Total Flying Hours :- 8.10 (day) , 4.15 (night).
1941-07-03
Exeter
A Squadron Parade was held and it was announced that the following Polish personnel have been awarded decorations for night flying:-
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross :Sgt. Malinowski. Sgt. Jarzembowski.
Polish Military Cross: F/O. Lewandowski (twice) F/Lt. Jakszewicz (once) Sgt. Niewolski. (once) Sgt. Zakrocki (once) Sgt. Lipinski (once) Sgt. Starosta (once).
Day training was continued under favourable weather conditions, and a searchlight co-operation exercise was carried out at night.
Total Flying Hours :- 4.00 (day) , 1.55 (night).
1941-07-04
Exeter
Weather conditions were favourable and training was continued. Cross countries and formation flying were carried out and an Army Co-operation flight was also made. Seven aircraft did air to ground firing at Warmwell. Weather conditions were excellent for night flying but no patrols were carried out before midnight.
Total Flying Hours :- 24.10 (day) , Nil (night).
1941-07-05
Exeter
00.45 Defiants N.1772 and T.3946 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
02.05 Defiant N.1772 landed and reported no incident.
02.10 Defiant T.3946 landed and reported no incident.
02.35 Defiants N.1108 and T.3315 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
04.05 Defiants N.1108 and T.3315 landed and reported no incidents.
Weather conditions during the day were excellent and training continued. Further Army Co-operation flights were carried out. Searchlight Co-operation flights were carried out during the night.
Total Flying Hours :- 8.45 (day) , 10.35 (night)
1941-07-06
Exeter
Weather conditions were again very favourable. Formation flying and cross countries were carried out. Searchlight co-operation flights were carried out at night.
Total Flying Hours :- 8.05 (day) , 5.15 (night)
1941-07-07
Exeter
Day weather conditions were favourable and training continued. Army Co-operation flights and G.C.I. tests were carried out. In the evening a co-operation flight for the Exmouth Home Guard was also carried out.
Weather conditions were favourable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 8.05 (day) , 2.50 (night)
1941-07-08
Exeter
00.25 Defiant N.1788 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
00.30 Defiant T.3990 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
00.35 Defiant T.4010 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.05 Defiants N.3330 and N.1772 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
01.15 Defiants T.4002 and N.1108 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
01.20 Defiant T.3991 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.45 Defiants N.1788 and T.3990 landed and reported no incidents.
01.55 Defiant T.4010 landed and reported no incident.
02.45 Defiants T.4002 and N.1772 landed and reported no incidents.
02.50 Defiants T.3991 and N.1108 landed and reported no incidents.
02.55 Defiant N.3330 landed and reported no incident.
Weather conditions were excellent throughout the day and training was continued. Air to ground firing at Warmwell was carried out, together with cross countries and formation flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 21.15 (day) , 13.25 (night).
1941-07-09
Exeter
00.25 Defiant T.4058 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.50 Defiant T.4058 landed and reported no incident.
Weather conditions were favourable during the day and training was continued. An Army co-operation flight was carried out.
23.10 Defiants T.3990 and N.1788 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
Total Flying Hours :- 8.05 (day) , 4.05 (night)
1941-07-10
Exeter
00.25 Defiants N.3990 and N.1788 landed and reported no incidents.
Weather conditions were again favourable and training continued. G.C.I. test Flights and air to sea firing were carried out. An Army co-operation flight was also carried out. During the night searchlight co-operation flights were made.
Total Flying Hours :- 12.15 (day) , 4.40 (night)
1941-07-11
Exeter
Weather conditions were good throughout the day and training continued. Limited facilities for air to air firing were available and six aircraft carried out firing practice. Cross countries, formation flying and R.T. practices were also carried out. A short searchlight co-operation flight was also made at night.
Total Flying Hours :- 9.40 (day) , 0.25 (night)
1941-07-12
Exeter
Weather conditions were again favourable and flying training was continued. A highly successful G.C.I. practice exercise was carried out during the morning. Formation flying and Army Co-operation flight were also carried out.
22.55 Defiants T.4058 and N.1108 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
23.45 Defiant N.1108 landed and reported that after having been vectored on to an enemy raid he was recalled to the aerodrome and no interception occurred.
24.00 Defiant T.4058 landed and reported that he had been vectored towards an approaching enemy raid of three aircraft. These aircraft turned and returned towards the French coast and the Defiant chased them without success until recalled to base. No interception took place.
Total Flying Hours :- 11.00 (day) , 2.05 (night)
1941-07-13
Exeter
Weather conditions during the morning were dull and continuous rain fell later and flying had to be stopped. A G.C.I. practice was carried out during the morning. It is to-day announced that an agreement has been signed between Great Britain and the U.S.S.R. pledging mutual aid against the common enemy and declaring that neither party will negotiate a separate peace. Sgt. Bilau, pilot, left on posting to No. 10 Group Flight for flying duties. During the night a searchlight co-operation flight was carried out.
23.20 Defiants N.1788 and T.3991 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
Total Flying Hours :- 4.20 (day) , 3.15 (night)
1941-07-14
Exeter
00.25 Defiant N.1788 landed and reported no [Illegible] interception.
00.35 Defiant T.3991 landed and reported no interception.
Weather conditions were again poor and generally deteriorating throughout the day. Light rain in the evening subsequently became heavy and no night flying, either operational or non-operational was possible. During the morning the usual G.C.I. practice was carried out, together with practice formation flying. No air to ground firing was possible as the range was closed. The following flying personnel reported for duty:- Sgt. Turzanski (Pilot) from No.303 Squadron. Sgt. [Illegible]aniewski (Pilot) No.308 Squadron. P/O Dziegielewski (Pilot) from East Fortune. P/O. Andriejewski (Pilot) from East Fortune. Sgt. Rudel (A.G.) and Sgt. Ostrowski (A.G.) returned from Church Fenton on cessation of attachment. The following Air Gunners left the unit on posting to No.18 O.T.U.:- Sgts. Blachowski, Rybacki, Sroka, Krystiniak, and Stengierski.
Total Flying Hours :- 14.55 (day) , 1.00 (night)
1941-07-15
Exeter
Weather conditions were poor and flying training during the day was restricted. The usual G.C.I. test and searchlight co-operation flight was carried out, and a short searchlight co-operation flight was also carried out at night. Sgts. Lipinski, Sadawa, Osieleniec, and Broda, Air Gunners, left on posting to No.60 O.T.U.
Total Flying Hours :- 8.15 (day) , 0.30 (night)
1941-07-16
Exeter
Weather conditions were poor. G.C.I. flight and co-operation exercise were carried out.
11.00 Five Defiants took off for Swinderby to attend the celebration of the first National Day of the Polish Air Force. The following personnel of the Squadron attended:- S/Ldr. Antonowicz, F/Lt. Lewandowski, F/O. Karwowski, Sgt. Wisthal, Sgt. Malinowski, Sgt. Jarzembowski, Cpl. Kapuscinski, and AC1. Nowacki. General Sikorski, The Commander in Chief of the Polish Armed Forces was present at the celebration and Air Chief Marshal Sir C. Portal, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C., represented the British Premier. Air Commodore Ujejski, Inspector General of the Polish Air Force was in charge of the Pa[nieczytelne]de. The Polish Bishop of the Armed Forces of Poland, after a short speech, blessed the colours. These colours were presented originally by the women of Poland, and on the capitulation of Belgium were returned to Poland through Germany. From Poland they have been sent through Scandinavia to Great Britain. Each Squadron Commander drove a nail into the shaft and the colours were then presented by General Sikorski to No.300 Squadron. They will subsequently be passed from Squadron to Squadron. General Sikorski then made a speech and this was followed by on e from Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal. Promotions to commissioned rank were then announced and an investiture took place. Sgts. Malinowski and Jarzembowski were decorated with the Virtuti Militari, Class V, By General Sikorski.
The Squadron deputation flew back to Exeter returning at 19.30 hours. Night Flying practice was continued during darkness.
Total Flying Hours :- 21.15 (day) , 1.15 (night)
1941-07-17
Exeter
Weather conditions were again poor and flying was restricted. The G.C.I. flight and searchlight co-operation exercise were carried out, but weather conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 13.55 (day) , Nil (night)
1941-07-18
Exeter
Weather conditions were suitable for flying and day training continued. “ZZ” practices and formation flights were carried out. During the hours of darkness searchlight co-operation flights were also carried out.
Total Flying Hours :- 6.35 (day) , 2.25 (night)
1941-07-19
Exeter
Day training was continued under fair weather conditions. A G.C.I. practice was carried and formation flights. The usual searchlight co-operation flights were made during the night.
Total Flying Hours :- 7.45 (day) , 3.55 (night)
1941-07-20
Exeter
Weather conditions were favourable and training continued throughout the day. Cross countries, “ZZ” practices, formation flying and Army Co-operation flight were all carried out. Weather was non-operational for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 20.25 (day)
1941-07-21
Exeter
Weather conditions were good. Owing to the move of No.504 Squadron the Unit was called upon to assume day state and provide protection for convoys. Training was necessarily restricted during the day.
06.15 Defiants T.4058 and N.1772 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrol.
07.15 Defiants N.1812 and N.3490 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrol.
07.45 Defiants T.4058 and N.1772 landed and reported no interception.
08.15 Defiants T.3925 and N.3315 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrol.
08.45 Defiants N.1812 and N.3490 landed and reported no interceptions.
09.30 Defiants T.3990 and T.3991 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
09.30 Defiant N.3315 landed and reported no interception.
10.00 Defiants T.4002 and N.3404 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
10.05 Defiant T.3925 landed and reported no interception.
10.40 Defiants T.3990 and T.3991 landed and reported no interceptions.
11.00 Defiants T.3925 and N.3980 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
12.00 Defiants T.4002 and N.3404 landed and reported no interceptions.
12.30 Defiants T.3925 and N.3980 landed and reported no interceptions.
Weather conditions were favourable for night flying and training was carried out. The customary searchlight co-operation flights were also carried out.
23.30 Defiant T.3925 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
23.35 Defiant N.3404 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
Total Flying Hours :- 26.10 (day) , 2.25 (night)
1941-07-22
Exeter
00.05 Defiant T.4010 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
00.05 Defiant N.3404 landed and reported no interception.
01.05 Defiant T.3925 landed and reported no interception.
01.10 Defiant T.4010 landed and reported no interception.
Day state was again assumed by the Squadron in order to provide convoy protection. Training was accordingly restricted.
11.45 Defiants N.3330 and N.3490 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
12.35 Defiant N.3437 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrol.
12.45 Defiant T.4058 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrol.
13.25 Defiants N.3330 and N.3490 landed and reported no interceptions.
13.40 Defiants T.4010 and N.3432 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrol.
14.05 Defiants N.1788 and T.3925 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
14.15 Defiants T.3991 and N.1812 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
14.15 Defiants T.4058 and N.3437 landed and reported no interceptions.
14.25 Defiant T.3925 landed and reported no interception.
14.40 Defiants T.3991 and N.1812 landed and reported no interceptions.
15.05 Defiants T.3991 and T.3925 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
15.25 Defiant N.1788 landed and reported no interception.
15.45 Defiant N.3432 landed and reported no interception.
15.50 Defiant T.4010 landed and reported no interception.
16.00 Defiants N.3315 and T.4058 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
16.50 Defiants T.3991 and T.3925 landed and reported no interceptions.
17.15 Defiants N.3490 and N.3330 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
17.50 Defiants N.3490 and N.3330 landed and reported no interceptions.
18.00 Defiants N.3315 and T.4058 landed and reported no interceptions.
During the hours of darkness night flying practice was carried out as well as the usual searchlight co-operation flights.
Total Flying Hours :- 27.45 (day) , 4.25 (night)
1941-07-23
Exeter
Weather was dull but flying training was carried out. The usual G.C.I. training flight was made with two Defiant aircraft. During the hours of darkness searchlight co-operation flights were also made.
Total Flying Hours :- 9.05 (day) , 1.50 (night)
1941-07-24
Exeter
Weather conditions were good. Owing to the large scale bombing operation carried out on Brest, the Squadron assumed day state and provided convoy protection throughout the day. An Army Co-operation flight was also carried out.
10.30 Defiants N.1812 and N.3330 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
11.20 Defiants N.3490 and N.1108 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
12.10 Defiants N.3432 and N.3437 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
12.30 Defiants N.1812 and N.3330 landed and reported no incidents.
13.10 Defiants N.3490 and N.1108 landed and reported no incidents.
13.35 Defiants N.3404 and T.4002 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
14.20 Defiants N.3432 and N.3437 landed and reported no interception.
14.25 Defiants T.3991 and T.3990 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
15.05 Defiants N.3315 and N.3330 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
15.40 Defiants T.3991 and T.3990 landed and reported no interceptions.
16.00 Defiants N.1812 and N.1108 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
16.10 Defiants N.3404 and T.4002 landed and reported no incidents.
17.15 Defiants N.3490 and N.3437 took off from Exeter on operational convoy patrols.
17.20 Defiants N.3315 and N.3330 landed and reported no interceptions.
17.30 Defiants N.1812 and N.1108 landed and reported no interceptions.
17.55 Defiants N.3490 and N.3437 landed and reported no interceptions.
Weather conditions were favourable for night flying and training flights together with searchlight co-operation flights were carried out.
24.00 Defiant N.3315 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
Total Flying Hours :- 32.15 (day) , 2.30 (night)
1941-07-25
Exeter
01.15 Defiant N.3315 landed and reported no incident.
01.35 Defiant T.4058 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.55 Defiant T.4058 landed and reported no incident.
Day weather conditions were favourable and flying training was continued. The G.C.I. practice flight was carried out, and searchlight co-operation exercise were also carried out at night. Sgt. Banys, Air Gunner, left on attachment to Central Air Crew Receiving Centre, prior to posting to an Initial Training Wing for training as a Pilot.
Total Flying Hours :- 6.50 (day) , 3.55 (night)
1941-07-26
Exeter
Local flying was carried out under good weather conditions. Night Flying was also carried out – the customary searchlight co-operation flights being made. There was no operational night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 7.25 (day) , 2.55 (night)
1941-07-27
Exeter
Weather conditions were favourable and training continued. A G.C.I. practice flight, searchlight co-operation flight and air to sea firing were all carried out during the day. Conditions were also favourable for night flying and searchlight co-operation flights were made at night.
Total Flying Hours :- 9.30 (day) , 3.20 (night)
1941-07-28
Exeter
Low clouds with rain and poor visibility restricted flying throughout the day and also at night, when conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 3.00 (day) , Nil (night)
1941-07-29
Exeter
Weather conditions were again unfavourable and flying was restricted. A performance was given by the Lwowska Fala for the Polish Personnel and the visit of this concert party was greatly appreciated by the Unit. There was no night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 3.03 (day) Nil (night)
1941-07-30
Exeter
Weather conditions during the morning were good and air to ground firing was carried out at Warmwell. Heavy rain fell during the afternoon and flying was accordingly restricted. Conditions cleared during the evening and night flying was possible, the usual searchlight co-operation flights being carried out.
Total Flying Hours :- 23.05 (day) , 1.30 (night)
1941-07-31
Exeter
Rain fell during the morning and conditions of low cloud and poor visibility prevailed. The usual G.C.I. flight was carried out. After 1 operational night patrol flying was abandoned as the weather became non operational. Moonlit state came into operation and 12 aircraft were at readiness.
22.45 Defiant T.4002 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
23.25 Defiant T.4002 landed and reported no incidents.
Total Flying Hours :- 7.50 (day) , 0.40 (night)
[Illegible]
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 307(Polish) Squadron,
RAF. Exeter, Devon.
