Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-02-01

Exeter

Rain fell during the morning and flying was restricted to night flying tests in the afternoon when conditions improved. Some training with Oxford aircraft was carried out while weather conditions were suitable. A further deterioration at night prevented practice night flying and there was no operational flying.
Total flying hours. 7.15 (day) - Nil (night).

1942-02-02

Exeter

Weather conditions throughout the day were good and flying training with Beaufighter and Oxford aircraft was continued. GCI practice flights were made. At night the weather deteriorated and rain fell. There was no night flying either operational or practice.
Total flying hours. 17.45 (day) - Nil (night).

1942-02-03

Exeter

Rain with mist and poor visibility prevented flying during the morning. In the afternoon conditions improved and practice GCI flights were made with Beaufighter aircraft and training continued with Oxford aircraft. Beaufighter IIF. R.2379 crashed at Broadclyst when coming in to land owing to the failure of the starboard engine. The aircraft was completely wrecked and the pilot P.-782056 Sgt. Szemplinski received slight injuries to the right arm. Weather conditions were excellent at night and although there was no operational flying, practice GCI flights were made.
Total flying hours. 10.25 (day) – 11.20 (night).

1942-02-04

Exeter

Poor visibility throughout the day restricted flying but practice GCI flights with Beaufighter aircraft and training with Oxford aircraft was carried out. While conditions were suitable. The weather at night was non operational owing to bad visibility.
Total flying hours. 7.10 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-05

Exeter

There were intermittent light falls of snow during the morning, but weather conditions improved in the afternoon. Practice GCI. and AI. flights were made with Beaufighter aircraft and flying training with Oxford aircraft was continued. Weather conditions deteriorated at night and there was no flying of any kind. Sgt. Smith (Observer Radio) reported for duty from 54 O.T.U.
Total flying hours. 13.20 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-06

Exeter

Weather continued throughout the day and flying training with Oxford and Blenheim aircraft was continued. Practice GCI. and AI. flights were made by day with Beaufighter aircraft. Conditions were favourable for night flying and both operational and practice flights were made.
19.20 Beaufighters IIF. T.3035 and R.2445 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
21.35 Beaufighter IIF. T.3035 landed and reported no interceptions.
22.15 Beaufighter IIF. R.2445 landed and reported that two AI contacts had been obtained but lost before interceptions could take place..
Total flying hours. 14.10 (day) – 11.25 (night).

1942-02-07

Exeter

Poor visibility during the morning restricted flying and night flying tests only were made with Beaufighter aircraft. Training continued in the afternoon with Blenheim and Oxford aircraft. Six Beaufighters were at readiness during the night but there was no flying before midnight. F/O. Ranoszek, G.K. reported for flying duties on posting from No. 306 (Polish) Squadron. P/O. Zykun, W.Z. reported for flying duties on posting from No. 54 O.T.U.
Total flying hours. 10.55 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-08

Exeter

00.25 Beaufighter IIF. R.2458 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
00.30 Beaufighter IIF. T3009 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
03.30 Beaufighter IIF. T.3009 [Illegible] landed and reported no interceptions.
03.35 Beaufighter IIF. R.2450 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
04.00 Beaufighter IIF. R.2458 landed and reported no interceptions.
04.10 Beaufighter IIF. R.2450 landed and reported no interceptions.
Weather conditions by day were good and AI. Tests flight were made with Beaufighter aircraft. Practice flying at night with Beaufighter aircraft was also carried out.
Total flying hours. 10.05 (day) – 19.45 (night).

1942-02-09

Exeter

Bad visibility again restricted flying and only night flying tests with Beaufighter aircraft and limited flying training with Blenheim aircraft was carried out. Weather was non-operational at night and there was no flying.
Total flying hours. 5.50 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-10

Exeter

Weather conditions were good and flying training with Blenheim and Oxford aircraft was continued. AI. Practice flights and night flying tests were made with Beaufighter aircraft. Weather conditions at night were good and both practice and operational flying was carried out.
19.05 Beaufighters IIF. R.2449 and T.3046 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
20.35 Beaufighter IIF. R. 2449 landed and reported no interceptions.
22.35 Beaufighter IIF. T.3046 landed and reported no interceptions.
Total flying hours. 15.55 (day) – 15.45 (night).

1942-02-11

Exeter

Weather conditions were excellent throughout the day and training on Beaufighter, Blenheim and Oxford aircraft was continued. Weather conditions at night were also good and both operational and training flights were made.
22.00 Beaufighter IIF. T.3035 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
23.45 Beaufighter IIF. T.3035 crashed at Sowton when approaching to land in conditions of bad visibility. The pilot P.-783690. Sgt. Thiesler, K. And Observer Radio P.-781593 Sgt. Podgajny were both killed. The aircraft hit a tree and caught fire.
Total flying hours. 17.35 (day) – 9.50 (night).

1942-02-12

Exeter

08.20 A Dornier aircraft flying low over the aerodrome was shot down by the ground defences. The crew of four were all killed. Poor visibility with slight rain restricted flying during the morning but as conditions improved flying training with Beaufighter, Blenheim and Oxford aircraft. Weather conditions at night were also good and both operational and practice flights were made.
22.00 Beaufighter IIF. R.2447 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
22.30 Beaufighter IIF. T.3019 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
24.00 Beaufighter IIF. R.2447 landed and reported no interceptions.
Total flying hours. 11.05 (day) – 8.20 (night).

1942-02-13

Exeter

00.20 Beaufighter IIF. T.3019 landed and reported no interceptions.
Excellent weather conditions prevailed throughout the day and flying training with Beaufighter, Magister and Oxford aircraft was continued. Weather conditions at night were good and Practice GCI. flights were made. Beaufighter IIF. R.2446, Pilot P/O. Kurek, Observer Radio, P/O. Skrouba crashed at Honiton Clyst at 22.45 hours when circling the aerodrome before landing. It appears probable that this was due to lack of petrol at the end of a long flight but is the subject of a Court of enquiry. Both pilot and Observer were killed.
Total flying hours. 12.15 (day) – 15.35 (night).

1942-02-14

Exeter

Weather conditions were again good and flying training with Beaufighter and Oxford aircraft continued. at 10.40 hours Beaufighter IIF. R.2445 Pilot, P/O. Maxymowicz, Observer Radio F/O. Lazarowicz crashed on the aerodrome. The pilot was killed and the observer radio seriously injured. The aircraft was flying low over dispersal point when it hit some trees. The port engine caught fire and the pilot lost control, the aircraft crashing and catching fire.
Weather conditions were good at night and both operational flights and practice GCI flights were made.
19.00 Beaufighter IIF. R.2458 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
21.25 Beaufighter IIF. R.2458 landed and reported no interceptions.
Total flying hours. 9.40 (day) – 6.25 (night).

1942-02-15

Exeter

Good weather conditions obtained, although visibility was poor during the morning. Night flying tests were made with Beaufighter aircraft during the afternoon. Six aircraft were at readiness at night but were subsequently put at “30 minutes” owing to the prevalence of ground mist. No night flying of any description took place. It is announced tonight that Singapore has surrendered to the Japanese.
Total flying hours. 3.55 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-16

Exeter

Weather conditions by day were good and training with Beaufighter aircraft continued. AI practice flights were made and night flying tests were carried out. Six aircraft were at readiness at night but there was no operational flying. Ground mist prevented night flying training.
Total flying hours. 10.50 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-17

Exeter

Dull weather conditions obtained throughout the day and visibility was poor. Flying was restricted to night flying tests. Six aircraft were at readiness at night but there was no operational flying. Poor weather conditions again prevented night flying training.
Total flying hours. 5.15 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-18

Exeter

Poor weather conditions by day with ground mist and bad visibility restricted day flying to tests of aircraft for readiness at night. Six aircraft were at readiness but again there was no operational flying and mist prevented night flying training being carried out.
Total flying hours. 4.05 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-19

Exeter

Weather during the day was dull and visibility poor. Limited training an Beaufighter aircraft and night flying tests were carried out. Six aircraft were at readiness at night but there was no flying of any description owing to bad weather conditions.
Total flying hours. 5.45 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-20

Exeter

Weather conditions by day were favourable and training with Beaufighter aircraft was continued, AI practices being carried out. Six aircraft were at readiness at night but weather conditions were not suitable for flying.
Total flying hours. 12.35 (day) – 00.25 (night).

1942-02-21

Exeter

Weather conditions by day were fair although ground mist restricted visibility. Flying training on Beaufighter and Blenheim aircraft continued. At night six aircraft were at readiness but there was no operational flying. After a practice flight at night, weather conditions were found to be unsuitable for night flying training.
Total flying hours. 7.30 (day) – 00.40 (night).

1942-02-22

Exeter

Weather conditions by day were good and flying training with Oxford and Beaufighter aircraft was continued throughout the day, AI. practice night flying tests and local flying were all carried out. At night six aircraft were at readiness but there was no operational flying. Weather conditions were not suitable for night flying owing to prevalence of ground mist.
Total flying hours. 15.15 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-23

Exeter

Day weather conditions were good and flying training was continued with Beaufighter aircraft. AI. and GCI practice flights were made. Six aircraft were at readiness but there was no operational flying.
Total flying hours. 12.00 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-24

Exeter

Good weather conditions obtained throughout the day and training was continued. AI. homings and night flying tests were made with Beaufighter aircraft and practice flights with Blenheim and Oxford aircraft. Weather conditions at night were good and practice GCI. flights were made. Six aircraft were at readiness but there was no operational flying.
Total flying hours. 11.20 (day) – 12.00 (night).

1942-02-25

Exeter

Weather conditions by day were fair and practice AI. flights were made with Beaufighter aircraft. Night flying tests were also made. F/O. Tarnowski and Sgt. Robertson (Observer Radio) reported for flying duties on posting from 54 O.T.U. Night weather conditions were good and GCI. practice flights were made. Six aircraft were at readiness but there was no operational flying.
Total flying hours. 6.45 (day) – 13.20 (night).

1942-02-26

Exeter

Weather conditions by day were good and flying training was continued. AI. homings and night flying tests were made with Beaufighter aircraft. F/O. Puchowiecki and Sgt. Marin (Observer Radio) on probation) reported for flying duties on posting from Cranfield. Weather conditions at night were unsuitable for flying.
Total flying hours. 10.45 (day) – NIL (night).

1942-02-27

Exeter

Good weather conditions obtained by day and training with Beaufighter aircraft continued. F/O. Baykowski reported for education and welfare duties on posting to the Unit. F/O. Maciukiewicz left on posting to No. 16 S.F.T.S. Newton. Weather conditions at night were good and practice flights were made. Six aircraft were at readiness.
23.50 Beaufighters IIF. R.2449, T.3046 and T.3009 took off from Exeter on operational patrols.
23.55 Beaufighter IIF. R.2443 took off from Exeter on operational patrol.
Total flying hours. 7.55 (day) – 3.05 (night).

1942-02-28

Exeter

02.20 Beaufighter IIF. T.3046 landed and reported no interceptions.
02.25 Beaufighter IIF. T.3009 and R.2443 landed and reported no interceptions.
02.30 Beaufighter IIF. R.2449 landed and reported no interceptions.
Weather conditions were favourable throughout the day. GCI. calibration flights and practice AI. flights were made with Beaufighter aircraft. F/O. Swidzinski reported for Signals duties on posting supernumery from Cambridge. Six aircraft were at readiness but the weather was unsuitable for night flying.
Total flying hours. 8.45 (day) – 9.40 (night).

[Illegible]
Wing Commander, Commanding,
No. 307(Polish) Squadron,
R.A.F. Station, Exeter, Devon.