Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-09-01

Exeter

Rain fell almost continuously throughout the day and flying was accordingly restricted. P/O. Papis, Interpreter, left on posting to Blackpool, supernumary pending disposal.
Total Flying Hours :- [nieczytelne].55 (day)

1941-09-02

Exeter

An improvement in weather conditions enabled restricted day flying training to be continued. S/Ldr. Antonowicz, P/Lts. Lewandowski and Alexandrowicz, F/O. Karwowski, P/O. Zwolinski, Sgts. Podgajny, Putz and Jarzembowski, flew to High Ercall for special Link Trainer instruction. P/O. Kownacki also left for High Ercall as instructor to the above aircrews.
Total Flying Hours :- 9.30 (day)

1941-09-03

Exeter

Dull weather prevailed but day training on Beaufighter aircraft was continued throughout the day.
Total Flying Hours :- [Illegible] 8.30 (day)

1941-09-04

Exeter

Weather conditions were greatly improved and training on both Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft was carried out throughout the day. The following aircrews returned to the Unit from High Ercall on completion of Link Trainer instruction:- S/Ldr. Antonowicz, F/Lts. Lewandowski and Alexandrowicz and P/O. Zwolinski.
Total Flying Hours :- 15.50 (day)

1941-09-05

Exeter

Low clouds and mist were prevelent throughout the day and only limited flying training was possible. A small amount of flying on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft was carried out.
Total Flying Hours :- 6.15 (day)

1941-09-06

Exeter

Mists and low cloud again restricted flying, but limited amount of day training was carried out on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft. F/O. Karwowski, P/O. Kownacki, and Sgts. Podgajny, Putz, and Jarzembowski returned to the Unit from High Ercall on completion of Link Trainer instruction.
Total flying hours :- [Illegible].35 (day)

1941-09-07

Exeter

Good weather conditions obtained during the morning but mist was prevalent later in the day and flying training was accordingly restricted.
Total Flying Hours :- 4.50 (day)

1941-09-08

Exeter

Bad weather conditions with continuous rain prevailed and flying training was not possible. Ground training and lectures were given to the aircrew personnel.
Total Flying Hours :- 1.00 (day)

1941-09-09

Exeter

Weather conditions were again very unfavourable with rain and mist. No flying was possible and ground training was continued. P.O’s Kurek, Podgorski, Maxymowicz, and Damsz reported for Observer (Radio) training from No. 60 O.T.U.
Total flying hours :- NIL

1941-09-10

Exeter

The first birthday of the Squadron was celebrated by a special Mess held at the Squadron Dispersal Point. Weather conditions were more favourable and day training on Beaufighter aircraft was continued.
Total Flying Hours :- 6.40 (day)

1941-09-11

Exeter

Weather conditions were excellent and day training on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft was continued. A special cinema show of “Target for Tonight” was attended by 12 Officers and 30 airmen of the Unit. A special parade to assist recruiting was also held in Exeter in conjunction with the show. P.O. Gasek reported for training as Observer (Radio) from No. 13 M.U. P.O. Krawiecki reported [Illegible] for training as Observer (Radio) from Blackpool. The following aircrew personnel left for High Ercall for special Link Trainer instruction :- P.O. Pfleger, F.O. Sawczynski, F.O. Sylvertrowicz, Sgt. Trawicki and Wozny. P.O. Kownacki. [Illegible] (Radio) Officer also left as instructor to the above-named personnel. A trial night flight with [Illegible] Beaufighter was attempted but it was proved that it is impossible to fly these aircraft at night until the exhaust modification is carried out owing to the reflected glare from the exhausts blinding the pilot.
Total flying hours :- 9.10 (day) 0.30 (night)

1941-09-12

Exeter

Weather conditions were favourable and day training on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft was continued, throughout the day. G/C Iwaszkiewicz of the Polish Inspectorate Generale arrived to inspect the Squadron.
Total flying hours :- 15.40 (day)

1941-09-13

Exeter

Day training on Beaufighters was continued under favourable weather conditions. P.O. Pietrzyk reported for Observer (Radio) training from No. 60 O.T.U. The following aircrew personnel left for special Link Trainer instruction at High Ercall :- [Illegible]. [Illegible]. Szablowski, P.O. Gayzler, Sgts. Szemplinski, and Jankowiak. G/C. Iwaszkiewicz left after inspection of the Squadron.
Total flying hours :- 16.05 (day)

1941-09-14

Exeter

Weather conditions were again favourable and day training on Beaufighter aircraft was continued. The following aircrew personnel rturned to Exeter from High Ercall :- F.O. Sawczynski, F.O. Sylwestrowicz, P.O. Pfleger, P.O. Szablowski, P.O. Gayzler, Sgts. Trawicki, Wozny, Szemplinski, Jankowiak; P.O. Kownacki Signals (Radio) Officer also returned from High Ercall. F.Lt. Koterla returned to the Unit on completion of the Controllers Course of Instruction at Stanmore.
Total Flying Hours :- 13.30 (day)

1941-09-15

Exeter

Day training was continued under favourable conditions with Beaufighter aircraft. A searchlight co-operation flight was also carried out.
Total flying hours :- 14.00 (day)

1941-09-16

Exeter

Weather conditions were favourable and day training on Beaufighter aircraft was carried out.
Total flying hours :- 13.15 (day)

1941-09-17

Exeter

Day training continued under favourable weather conditions with Beaufighter aircraft. Sighting practice with the aircraft armament was carried out.
Total flying hours :- 13.50 (day)

1941-09-18

Exeter

Mist and haze restricted flying but day training was continued in the afternoon. Sighting practice was carried out with Beaufighter armament.
Total flying hours :- 12.50 (day)

1941-09-19

Exeter

Morning weather conditions were poor owing to the prevalence of mist and haze. Conditions improved during the [Illegible] training on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft was continued. Practice G.C.I. interceptions were carried out during the afternoon.
Total flying hours :- 11.20 (day)

1941-09-20

Exeter

Mist again restricted flying during the morning but G.C.I. practice interceptions were carried out during the afternoon with Beaufighter aircraft.
Total flying hours :- 3.40 (day)

1941-09-21

Exeter

Morning mist and haze again restricted day training during the earlier part of the day. Calibration test flights were carried out with Beaufighter aircraft.
Total Flying Hours :- 4.55 (day)

1941-09-22

Exeter

Weather conditions were unfavourable during the morning owing to mist, but improved later. Practice G.C.I. interceptions were subsequently carried out.
Total flying hours :- 5.05 (day)

1941-09-23

Exeter

Morning mists restricted flying but the weather improved in the afternoon. Practice G.C.I. interceptions were carried out.
Total flying hours :- 7.20 (day)

1941-09-24

Exeter

Heavy mist prevented flying from taking place in the morning. The weather cleared later and A.I. practices were carried out.
Total flying hours :- 7.15 (day)

1941-09-25

Exeter

Morning mists again restricted flying but training on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft was continued in the afternoon. A.I. tests and cross countries were made.
Total flying hours :- 17.05 (day)

1941-09-26

Exeter

Weather conditions were favourable at Exeter but owing to fog at Warmwell, air to ground flying could not be carried out during the morning. A.I. tests and practice G.C.I. interceptions were carried out during the morning. The weather was suitable for air to ground firing in the afternoon and firing took place at Warmwell.
Total flying hours :- 23.00 (day)

1941-09-27

Exeter

Good weather conditions obtained at Exeter and training on Blenheim and Beaufighter aircraft continued G.C.I. practice interceptions and A.I. tests were carried. Beaufighter IIF aircraft R.2442 pilot P.O. Gayzler, W. Observer P.O. Pfleger, W. Flew into the side of the hill at Hameldown Moor, Dartmoor in conditions of bad local weather. The pilot and observer were both killed. The aircraft struck the hill at a height of 14,00 feet.
Total flying hours :- 9.25 (day)

1941-09-28

Exeter

Weather conditions were favourable and day training on Beaufighter aircraft was continued. Practice G.C.I. interceptions and A.I. tests were carried out.
Total flying hours :- 22.10 (day)

1941-09-29

Exeter

Morning mists retarded day training which was continued later when weather conditions were favourable. Practice G.C.I. interceptions and A.I. tests were carried out.
Total flying hours :- 10.00 (day)

1941-09-30

Exeter

Early morning mists cleared later and day training on Beaufighter aircraft was continued. Practice G.C.I. interceptions were carried out.
Total flying hours :- 12.20 (day)

[Illegible]
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 307 Polish Squadron,
R.A.F. Station, Exeter, Devon.