Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-05-01

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair. Local showers of rain and hail during forenoon. Flying training continued by day. Three patrols were flown during the night. Therewas no enemy activity in the area.
Total Flying Hours :- 18.05 Day – 6.50 Night.

1943-05-02

Fairwood Common

Weather fine to fair. Visibility 8-12 miles. Flying training continued by day. Five patrols were flown during the night, one of which was an operational air-sea rescue patrol which returned without any information.
Total Flying Hours :- 20.55 Day – 10.25 Night.

1943-05-03

Fairwood Common

Weather fine to fair but hazy in afternoon. Visibility 4-6 miles. Flying training continued by day. Two patrols were flown during the night. No enemy activity in area.
Total Flying Hours :- 15.50 Day – 5.30 Night.

1943-05-04

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to fine. Flying training continued by day. Three patrols were flown during the night. There was no enemy activity in the area.
Total Flying Hours :- 16.30 Day – 7.10 Night.

1943-05-05

Fairwood Common

Weather fine to fair. Visibility 8-12 miles. Flying training continued by day. Four patrols were flown during the night, two of which were on convoy protection.
Total Flying Hours :- 19.15 Day – 7.35 Night.

1943-05-06

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair. Visibility 8-12 miles. Flying training continued by day. Two patrols were flown during the night.
Total Flying Hours :- 16.25 Day – 5.45 Night.

1943-05-07

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair with continuous rain in the afternoon. Flying training continued by day. Weather conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 15.25 Day – Nil Night.

1943-05-08

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy with frequent squally showers, commencing in the afternoon. Conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- Nil.

1943-05-09

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to cloudy and frequent squally showers in afternoon. Flying training continued by day. Weather conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 10.20 Day. – Nil Night.

1943-05-10

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to raining. Visibility 4-6 miles falling to 1000yds. Flying training continued by day. Three patrols were flown during the night. No enemy activity in area.
Total Flying Hours :- 1.05 Day. – 5.00 Night.

1943-05-11

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to cloudy with rain in the afternoon. Visibility good becoming poor in rain. Flying training continued by day. Conditions were unsuitable for night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 9.35 Day. – Nil Night.

1943-05-12

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to cloudy with intermittent rain. Visibility moderate to poor. Conditions unsuitable for day or night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- 0.30 Day. – Nil Night.

1943-05-13

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair. Visibility 4-6 miles increasing to 8-12 miles during the afternoon. Flying training continued by day with a dusk patrol. Three patrols were flown during the night. There was no enemy activity in the area.
Total Flying Hours :- 16.50 Day. – 5.30 Night.

1943-05-14

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair with slight local drizzle. Visibility 6-8 miles. Flying training continued by day and a convoy patrol was performed. Two patrols were flown at night.
Total Flying Hours :- 7.45 Day. – 3.05 Night.

1943-05-15

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to fine. Visibility 10-150 miles. Flying training continued by day. Three patrols were flown during the night including the first ‘Ranger” operation, details of which are as follows :- F.O. Grzanka (Pilot) and F.O. Maluszek (Nav/R) set course Exeter 23.48 hrs cross Channel at 200-300 feet. Landfall N.E. of Plenbian 00.30 hrs. 500 feet, then 190˚ climbing to 3000 feet. 2 circuits made W. of MEU where red rockets fired to 500 feet. Heavy ground mist gave momentary glimpses of ground only when into moon. Turned N. To railway S.E. of LAMBALLE followed line to ST. BRIEUC out via YFFINIAC. LANDFALL SALCOMBE. Flak, heavy and light from St. Malo direction on return. Weather :- Thick ground haze over channel and North France.
Total Flying Hours :- 32.50 Day. – 7.10 Night.

1943-05-16

Fairwood Common

Weather fine. Visibility 10.15 miles. Flying training continued by day. Two Intruder operations, the first to be carried out, were flown, the details of which are as follows :- INTRUDER OPERATION from CASTLE CAMPS. F.O. GRZANKA (Pilot) and F.O. Maluszek (Nav/R) crossed English Coast Aldeburgh at 01.54 hours at three [Illegible] thousand feet. Crossed 30˚ E. at 02.08 hours. Lnadfall N.E. of Hellevoetsluis at 02.16 hours. Set course Overfllakke to Eindhoven. arrived 02.35 hours. Red lights on water off W. Schonwan. S/Lts from Overflakke failed to illuminate. S/Lts and flak behind from GILSE. No activity at Eindhoven. Orbited starboard and set course Scheldt. Out 02.49hrs. Recrossed 3˚ E. 02.58 hrs. Landfall at Aldeburgh 03.14 hrs. F.O. Damsz. (Pilot) and F.O. Sylwestrowicz (Nav/R) crossed English Coast Aldeburgh 3,500ft crossed at 00.50hrs. Over sea at 3,500ft crossed 3˚ E. at 02.40 hrs. Landfall WESHOOFD 02.12hrs. Set course N. Of Overflakke to BREDA. Dummy at Westhoofd and S/L on other side of channel from Heelevoetsluis. Orbited near GILSE at 02.23 hrs. Flashing white beacon N. of A/D and some flak from A/D. Recrossed at 02.41hrs 3˚ E. Landfall S. of Orfordness at 02.57hrs.
Total Flying Hours :- 31.30 Day. – 4.25 Night.

1943-05-17

Fairwood Common

Weather Fine but hazy. Visibility 4-8 miles. Flying training continued by day. Seven patrols were flown at night, two of which were RANGER OPERATIONS as follows:- Sgt. DUNIN-Rzuchowski (Pilot) and F.O. Marin, (Nav/R) set course Bolthead at 23.25 hrs and crossed channel at 50ft. At 2˚ 2 mins W. 48˚ 52 min N. two merchant ships of 2000 tons seen at anchor. Crossed French coast at 00.04 at SANTILLY where concentration of S/Lts tried to illuminate aircraft. Violent evasion caused gyro to process. Turned west and flew on D.R. for 30 mins between 50 and 1500ft. Railway not located. Turned South and continued to coast to fix position. At CONCARNEAU large S/Lt. on cliff exposed and was shot out. Turned East and seaplane flare path seen near TALU point. Control boat shot at and mi sed. Turned West and second flare path seen with control boat at the end. A long burst was fired at this and many strikes seen. Boat caught fire and claimed as sunk.Course set for home, crossed French Coast at Fontusval. There was nothing further to report. S/L. SZABLOWSKI (pilot) and SGT. GAJEWSKI (Nav/R) set course BOLTHEAD 00.10 crossed channel at 400ft and made landfall at Mont St. Michel at 01.57, was unable to locate railway so patrolled the area N. & E. of VANESS. Nothing seen. Set course from Onessant and crossed the coast at 03.20. In a raid over Cardiff W/Cdr. Orzechowski (Pilot) and F.O. Michalski, (Nav/R) made contact but no visual at 02.50 hrs with E/A. He then lost contact through instructions to decrease height from 15,500 to 10,000ft and overshooting under control of Wrafton.
Total Flying Hours :- 19.50 Day. – 17.50 Night.

1943-05-18

Fairwood Common

Weather fine but hazy. Visibility 6.10 miles. Flying training continued by day and two convoys patrols were flown. Seven patrols were flown at night including two Ranger operations, details of which are as follows :- RANGER OPERATION. S/Ldr. Szablowski, (Pilot) and Sgt. Gajewski (Nav/R) set course from PREDANNAK 22.35 hrs skirting wide of Brest Peninsular made landfall at 00.43 at LIAIGUILLE Point S. of Mouth of LOIRE. Turned N. picked up railway NANTES and followed it to ANCENIS where train attacked in station. Nil results observed. Turned W. via ANGERS where lights seen on aerodrome. Second locomotive attacked near TIERCE. Strikes observed, claimed damaged. Left French Coast OUISTREHAM at 01.57 hrs. Landfall at Portland02.34 – Weather overland clear except for 10/10 cloud base 100 feet between 47˚ and 48˚ N. F.O. Dziegielewski (Pilot) and F.O. Wegeil (Nav/R) went on ranger operations same course as S/Ldr. Szablowski. They have not yet returned. It is regretted that no further reports have been received about F.O. Dziegielewski and F.O. Wegiel and they must be presumed as missing.
Total Flying Hours :- 28.35 Day. – 16.00 Night.

1943-05-19

Fairwood Common

Weather fine to fair. Slight haze. Visibility 6-8 miles. Flying training continued by day. Four patrols were flown during the night. No enemy activity in area.
Total Flying Hours :- 24.20 Day. – 10.15 Night.

1943-05-20

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair, visibility good. Flying training continued by day. Four patrols were flown during the night two of which were on Ranger operations details of which are as follows :- F.O. Damsz, Pilot nad F/Lt. Sylwestrowicz, Nav/R. set course from Zigandet 22.50. Landfall French coast ST. GILLIES 00.50 then N.E. TONANTES near VARADE. First train attacked, result not observed, on to ANGERS where two trains seen near station, during run up flame as from fire box seen and fired. This proved to come from bayed workshop beside the line. Flames and lights came from broken roof. Continuing N. two trains attacked between SABLES and LE NANS. First loco hit and damaged head on. The second train shot up from rear length over whole. Strikes on train but not observed on loco. Continuing North, a South bound train just south of ALENCON was attacked twice and engine comprehensively damaged near PONT L’EVEQUE. Engaged by S/L’s and light A/A. one gun sight shot up in passing. Reached French Coast at TROUVILLE 02.00 hrs. and English Coast SIDMOUTH 02.40 hrs.
F.O. Grzanka, Pilot, and F.O. Maluszek, Nav/R. set course Scilly 23.05. Landfall French Coast S.W. of AIGUILES 01.03, uneventful patrol from NANTES until near CAEN. 4 or 5 S/Lts. at ARGENTAN. Flak when approaching CAEN. Eastbound train from CAEN attacked and locomotive hit. Train stopped and a column of blak smoke seen in addition to steam. Left French Coast at 02.18. Landfall Portland 02.54. Weather fair over channel deteriorating to 8/10 – 10/10 stratus in Bay of Biscay.
Total Flying Hours :- 20.35 Day. – 19.35 Night.

1943-05-21

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair. Visibility good. Flying training continued by day. Four patrols were flown at night two of which were on ranger operations, details of which are as follows :- S/Ldr. Szablowski, Pilot and Sgt. Gajewski, Nav/R. Task abandoned as weather unsuitable. Made Landfall L’AIGUILLE POINT at 03.10 hrs, but cloud down to 600ft. with haze below prevented further penetration. No flak. W.O. Szemplinski, pilot and F.O. Lepkowski, Nav/R. made Landfall L’AIGULLE POINT at 200ft at 02.20 hrs and observed on road LES SABLES-TALMONT moving vehicle, which was attacked giving short cannon burst. Striles were seen but pilot was unable to identify vehicle. Set course 54˚ but before reaching target area pilot decided to return as there was cloud down to 200ft. Recrossed French Coast at L’AIGULLE POINT at 02.35 hrs. No flak. Weather over France and Coast line to within 10 miles was 8/10ths low cloud 200ft. From 10 miles off coast cloud was 500 to 2500ft.
F/Sgt. Wojczynski, Pilot and Sgt. Slusarkiewicz, Nav/Radio having completed night convoy patrol decided to fly low on way to base as practice for Intruder work. At about 40ft above water the port engine cut out suddenly (probably through touching water) the aircraft turned sharply about 150˚ to port and before regaining control the port engine nacelles bounced on the water. Shortly after the starboard engine cut out and the pilot ditched th aircraft. They succeeded in inflating one dinghy and hung on to it for about an hour. They were the picked up by a trawler from Tenby and taken to Coastal Command Station at CARWE CHERITON suffering from slight shock. They returned to the Squadron the following day. The aircraft sank after 10 minutes which gave valuable time.
Total Flying Hours :- 23.05 Day – 12.30 Night.

1943-05-22

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy with intermittent rain becoming fair by 1900hrs. Visibility 4-8 miles. Flying training continued by day. Eight patrols were flown during the night, two of which were Ranger Operations, details of which are as follows: . F.O. Fusinski, Pilot. and F.O. Tabaczynski Nav/R. set course from predannack at 00.40 hrs. Landfall French Coast South of L’AIGUILLE at 400ft. at 02.35 hours. then N.E. LAROCHE. Attacked train west of ANCENIS, result not observred. Made around and coming on ANCENIS from East along the railway saw the same train stopped in the station. Attacked it with gun and machine gun bursts from 500ft. Observed direct hits on locomotive which exploded. Dense steam and fire was seen, claimed seriously damaged. Flew east to Blain then to REDON, PLOERMEL before LAMBALLE. Turned west, height 300 to 400ft. Visibility bad 6/10 cloud, recrossed French Coast 6 to 7 miles West of ILE DE BATZ.
W.O. Szemplinski, Pilot, and F.O. Lepkowski, Nav/R. abandoned Ranger patrol as weather was unsuitable. Left predannack 00.50 hrs. landed Fairwood Common 03.28 hours.
Total Flying Hours :- 11.35. Day – 21.15 Night.

1943-05-23

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to cloudy. Visibility 6-8miles. Flying training continued by day. Seven patrols were flown during the night, two of which were on Intruder Operations carried out by F.O. Fusinski and F.O. Tabaczynski and F.O. Damsz, and F/Lt. Sylwestrowicz. Both operations were to enemy coast in OVERFLAKKE.
Total Flying Hours :- 15.50 Day. – 17.25 Night.

1943-05-24

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy with intermittent rain. Visibility 4-6 miles deteriorating. Flying training continued by day. Conditions were not suitable for night flying. A Signal has been received from Bomber Command thanking all Intruder Squadrons for their aid in recent special operations.
Total Flying Hours :- 7.40 Day. – Nil Night.

1943-05-25

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair. Visibility 6-10 miles. Flying training continued by day. Six patrols were flown during the night, two on Intruder Operations by S/Ldr. Szablowski and F.O. Tabaczynski and F.O. Damsz and F/Lt. Sylwestrowicz over enemy coast in OVERFLAKKE and EGMOND respectively.
Total Flying Hours :- 21.00 Day. – 9.55 Night.

1943-05-26

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy with intermittent rain or drizzle. Conditions unsuitable for day or night flying.
Total Flying Hours :- Nil.

1943-05-27

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy to fair. Visibility 8-10 miles. Flying training continued by day. Two day convoy patrols were flown. Four night patrols were flown, two of which were Intruder Patrols. F.O. Grzanka, Pilot and F/Lt. Sponarowicz, NAV/R. over OVERFLAKKE and F.O. Fusinski, pilot, and F.O. Tabaczynski to VETCHTA near BREMEN. We regret to record that nothing has been heard of this latter aircraft since take off.
Total Flying Hours :- 36.00 Day. – 4.40 Night.

1943-05-28

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to fine. Visibility 6-8 miles. Flying training continued by day. One patrols was flown during the night. There was no enemy activity in the area.
Total Flying Hours :- 21.15 Day. – 2.20 Night.

1943-05-29

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to cloudy. Visibility 6-12 miles. Flying training continued by day.
Total Flying Hours :- 13.45 Day. – Nil Night.

1943-05-30

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to cloudy. Visibility 10-15 miles. Flying training continued by day with two day convoy patrols being flown. One night patrol was flown. No enemy activity in area.
Total Flying Hours :- 20.25 Day. – 2.40 Night.

1943-05-31

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy with rain. Visibility 10.15 miles. Flying training continued by day including two day convoy patrols. No night flying took place owing to adverse weather conditions.
Total Flying Hours :- 9.50 Day. – Nil Night.

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