Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-08-01

Exeter

Weather conditions generally were unfavourable and day flying was restricted. No night flying was possible owing to bad weather.
Total flying hours :- 6.05 (day) NIL (night).

1941-08-02

Exeter

Weather conditions were again poor. A day searchlight co-operation exercise was carried out and further searchlight co-operation flights were made at night.
Total flying hours :- 7.50 (day) 1.15 (night).

1941-08-03

Exeter

Weather conditions improved slightly and cross country flights and Army cooperation flights were made during the day. H.Q. No. 10 Group letter 10G/S.9168/Org/47 dated 1st August 1941 was received advising that the Unit is to be shortly re-equipped with Beaufighter Mark I. Conversion of all squadron pilots to Beaufighters is to be carried out at Exeter, using the experience and instructional qualifications in the squadron. Training of A.I. operators is also to be carried out at Exeter under the direction of P.O. Kownacki who will be posted to the Unit for that purpose. Great satisfaction, on the part of the whole Squadron, is felt regarding the re-equipment with Beaufighter aircraft. Weather conditions were favourable for night flying and searchlight co-operation flights were carried out.
Total flying hours :- 8.20 (day) 2.25 (night).

1941-08-04

Exeter

Weather conditions were poor and day flying was restricted. A G.C.T. test flight was carried out during the morning. Two British LAC. Observers (Radio) posted from No. 3 Radio School reported for duty. Weather deteriorated during the evening and night flying was not possible.
Total flying hours :- 6.20 (day) NIL (night).

1941-08-05

Exeter

Very strong winds made the air to ground firing arranged for Warmwell impracticable and this had to be cancelled. Day flying was restricted and night flying was confined to searchlight co-operation flights.
Total flying hours :- 6.50 (day) 1.10 (night).

1941-08-06

Exeter

Weather conditions were more favourable and the G.C.I. practice exercise was carried out. Searchlight co-operation flights were also made both by day and by night.
Total flying hours :- 10.05 (day) 2.35 (night).

1941-08-07

Exeter

Good weather conditions prevailed and day training continued. The usual G.C.I. practice flight was carried out in the morning. Cross countries, and searchlight co-operation flights were carried out during the day. Weather conditions were suitable for night flying and further searchlight co-operation flights were made.
Total flying hours :- 16.30 (day) 1.05 (night).

1941-08-08

Exeter

Weather conditions were again unfavourable and flying was restricted. H.Q. Fighter Command signals Q.162 and Q.163 dated 7th August were received advising that the squadron is to be re-equipped with Beaufighter II aircraft and not Beaufighter I as previously advised. Weather conditions were suitable for night flying and searchlight co-operation flights were carried out..
Total flying hours :- 5.40 (day) 2.00 (night)

1941-08-09

Exeter

Weather conditions were very favourable during the day and the usual G.C.I. practice flight was carried out. Conditions deteriorated in the evening and no night flying was possible.
Total flying hours :- 12.45 (day) NIL (night)

1941-08-10

Exeter

Day weather conditions were very favourable and training continued. A G.C.I. practice flight was carried out, together with cross countries and Army co-operation flights. Weather deteriorated later and night flying was not possible.
Total flying hours :- 14.25 (day) NIL (night

1941-08-11

Exeter

Weather conditions both by day and by night were favourable and flying training continued. A G.C.I. practice flight, co-operation flights and cross countries were carried out by day. Searchlight co-operation flights and G.C.I. calibration flights were carried out by night.
Total flying hours :- 17.25 (day) 4.15 (night).

1941-08-12

Exeter

Weather conditions were again favourable and flying training was continued. The usual practice flights were made. Blenheim I aircraft L.8438 was received on loan from Andover under authority of H.Q. Fighter Command signal Q.366 dated 11th August 1941. Night flying training was also carried out under favourable weather conditions.
Total flying hours :- 12.40 (day) 1.10 (night)

1941-08-13

Exeter

00.50 Defiant T.3991 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.10 Defiant N.1788 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
01.15 Defiant T.3991 landed and reported no incidents.
02.00 Defiant N.1788 landed and reported no incidents.
Weather conditions were unfavourable and flying was restricted. Training on Blenheim aircraft was commenced.
Total flying hours :- 2.20 (day) 1.15 (night)

1941-08-14

Exeter

Weather conditions improved and day training continued. Training on Blenheim aircraft was continued. G.C.I. practice flight and co-operation exercises were carried out with Defiant aircraft. Beaufighter II aircraft R.2443, R.2447 and R.2449 were delivered by No. 19 M.U. under authority 41G/1113. Weather conditions were unsuitable for night flying. P/O. Kownacki reported for duty from High Ercall to-day.
Total flying hours :- 14.15 (day) NIL (night)

1941-08-15

Exeter

Flying training continued on Blenheim aircraft but poor weather conditions restricted flying during the day. Conditions improved during the evening and night flying was possible. Operational flying and searchlight co-operation flights were carried out at night.
21.05 Defiants N.3437 and N.3330 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
21.25 Defiants N.3437 and N.3330 landed and reported no incidents.
Total Flying Hours :- 5.10 (day) , 2.50 (night)

1941-08-16

Exeter

Day training on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft was continued during the day. The usual G.C.I. practice flights and Army co-operation flights were carried out with Defiant aircraft. Weather conditions were favourable for night flying and searchlight co-operation flights and G.C.I. calibration tests were carried out with Defiant aircraft. Beaufighter II aircraft R.2438 and R.2445 were delivered by No.27 M.U. under authority 41G/11253.
Total Flying Hours :- 11.15 (day) , 5.35 (night)

1941-08-17

Exeter

Training continued during the day with Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft. Beaufighter II aircraft R.2450, R.2452, R.2453 were delivered by No.19 M.U. under authority 41G/11333. Beaufighter II aircraft delivered by No.27 M.U. under authority 41G/11334. A signal was sent to Headquarters No.10 Group requesting urgent disposal instructions for at least ten Defiants owing to large number of aircraft at present on charge of the Squadron and the inability of the maintenance personnel to effectively service them. The current position is that the Unit holds 19 Defiants, 1 Magister, 1 Blenheim and 13 Beaufighter II aircraft. Weather conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 11.10 (day) , nil (night)

1941-08-18

Exeter

Weather conditions were good and day training on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft continued throughout the day. Oxford aircraft V.3975 was delivered by Rollason Aircraft Co, under authority 41G/20675. Beaufighter II aircraft R.2379, R.2440 and R.2442 were delivered by No.54 O.T.U. under authority Headquarters Fighter Command signal Q.525 dated 14th August, 1941. Weather conditions were favourable for night flying and searchlight co-operation flights were made.
Total Flying Hours :- 14.35 (day) , 4.50 (night)

1941-08-19

Exeter

Weather conditions were again favourable and day training was continued on Oxford, Blenheim, and Beaufighter aircraft. G.C.I. practice flights were carried out with Defiant aircraft. A searchlight co-operation flight was carried out during the hours of darkness.
Total Flying Hours :- 15.30 (day) , 1.05 (night)

1941-08-20

Exeter

Day training continued under favourable weather conditions on Oxford and Beaufighter aircraft. G.C.I. practice flights and cross countries were carried out with Defiant aircraft. Beaufighter aircraft R.2315 was delivered by No.13 M.U. under authority 41G/11378. Oxford aircraft V.3975 was collected and flown to No.409 Squadron under authority Headquarters Fighter Command signal Q.805 dated 19th August 1941. Weather conditions were suitable for night flying and searchlight co-operation exercise were carried out, together with night flying practices. Blenheim aircraft L.8438 was slightly damaged in a taxying accident, Pilot, P/O. Neyder, when the aircraft ran off the runway on to soft ground. Damage is repairable at the Unit.
Total Flying Hours :- 18.00 (day) , 4.40 (night)

1941-08-21

Exeter

Weather conditions were again good and day training continued on Beaufighter aircraft. G.C.I. practice flights and Army co-operation flights were carried out with Defiant aircraft. Very good night flying conditions obtained and searchlight co-operation flights were made.
Total Flying Hours :- 14.00 (day) , 6.00 (night)

1941-08-22

Exeter

Day training on Beaufighter aircraft continued throughout the day. G.C.I. practice flights were carried out with Defiant. Weather conditions were favourable for night flying and searchlight co-operation flights were made.
Total Flying Hours :- 23.25 (day) , 2.55 (night)

1941-08-23

Exeter

Continuous rain fell throughout the day and no flying was possible. H.Q. No.41 Group signal A.738 dated 22nd August was received allocating Defiants N.1788, N.3432, N.1812, and N.3315 to No.6 M.U. under authority 41G/11505 and Defiants T.3925, V.1108, N.1772, N.3330 and T.3946 to No.46 M.U. under authority 41G/11506. Headquarters No.10 Group have today released the whole Squadron for training until such time as three Beaufighter aircraft crews are operational.
Total Flying Hours :- 0.15 (day) , Nil (night)

1941-08-24

Exeter

Weather conditions were good and flying training on Beaufighter aircraft continued. G.C.I. practice flights were carried out with Defiant aircraft.
Total Flying Hours :- 15.50 (day) , Nil (night)
Defiant N.3490, pilot Sgt. Turzanski, B, Was damaged when after touching down the aircraft turned violently to the left and despite the pilot’s efforts to straighten up by means of the brake, by the end of the run the undercarriage collapsed.

1941-08-25

Exeter

Weather conditions were favourable and training on Beaufighter aircraft continued. Beaufighter II aircraft R.2463 and R.2319 were delivered from No.19 M.U. under allotment 41G/11635. Weather conditions were favourable for night flying and searchlight co-operation flights were carried out. The following Defiant aircraft were flown to No.6 M.U. by Ferry pilots as they are now surplus:- N.1812, N.3315, N.3422, and N.1788.
Total Flying Hours :- 11.55 (day) , 1.15 (night)

1941-08-26

Exeter

Weather conditions were again favourable and day training on Beaufighter aircraft continued. F/O. Szkop and F/O. Lazarowicz reported for duty as Observers (Radio) u/t from Blackpool. The following surplus Defiant aircraft were flown to M.U.’s as indicated by Ferry pilots:- to No.6 M.U. T.3980 to No. 19 M.U. T.3946, V.1108, N.1772; to No.46 M.U. T.3925 and N.3330.
Total Flying Hours :- 18.20 (day) , Nil (night)

1941-08-27

Exeter

Day training continued on Beaufighter aircraft under favourable weather conditions. Beaufighter II aircraft R.2468 was delivered by No.19 M.U. under allotment 41G/11669.
Total Flying Hours :- 16.15 (day) , Nil (night)

1941-08-28

Exeter

Weather conditions were good and day training on Beaufighter and Blenheim aircraft continued. P/O. Puzyna reported for duty as Observer (Radio) u/t from Hucknall. Blenheim aircraft L.6837 was collected from No.604 Squadron under authority H.Q. No.10 Group signal Q.372 dated 26th August, 1941.
Total Flying Hours :- 15.50 (day) , Nil (night)

1941-08-29

Exeter

Day flying training continued throughout the day under favourable weather conditions with Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft. P/O. Mika reported for duty as Observer (Radio) u/t from Kirkham. The following surplus Defiant aircraft were flown to No.19 M.U. by Ferry pilots:- T.4002, T.3991, T.3990, T.4010, and T.4058.
Total Flying Hours :- 23.50 (day) , Nil (night)

1941-08-30

Exeter

Weather conditions were suitable and day training on Beaufighter and Blenheim aircraft continued throughout continued throughout day. P/O. Swierz reported for duty as Observer (Radio) u/t from No.30 M.U. Sealand. Beaufighter II aircraft crashed when the port engine failed immediately after take-off. Sgt. Malinowski and Modro were injured and the aircraft was completely wrecked. Fire broke out on the ground and the aircraft was burnt out.
Total Flying Hours :- 14.40 (day) , Nil (night)

1941-08-31

Exeter

Day training continued on Beaufighter aircraft. Weather conditions were favourable.
Total Flying Hours :- 9.35 (day) , Nil (night)

[Illegible]
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 307(Polish) Squadron,
RAF. Station, Exeter, Devon.