Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

June 1943

Fairwood Common

Some relaxation of our night readiness state (commented upon at the end of last month’s summary of events) has enabled us to proceed with the training of crews for offensive operations. On the 26th of June we had ten crews ready to undertake Ranger sorties, and other crews are rapidly reaching the required standard. During the “moon” period, air to sea and air to ground firing training at night could not be undertaken owing to weather, but the cross country flights have been flown regularly in all conditions of weather and moon. No Ranger or Intruder sorties could be undertaken, however, because all our L.R. aircraft are employed on “Instep” at Predannack. The daily summary for June gives details of Instep activity, the only comment necessary is that S.Ldr. Szablowski and his detachment had a good share of what excitement there was going. It should be noted here in connection with offensive work, that we have, at last, been supplied with sufficient “G” box equipment to get cracking with training; F.Lt. Krawiecki (Nav.Radio) and F.O. Krupski (R.D.F. Section) are conducting a course at high pressure. In their defensive role, the Squadron has had an uneventful month; aircraft have been provided each night to work with Fairwood Common and with Portreath, but there has been no enemy activity in either sector. In general, the month’s activity has depended on the weather, for the first three weeks cold and squally conditions alternated with mist and steady rain, whereas the last week provided excellent flying conditions. To avoid redundancy training flying is not detailed, and where it is mentioned it indicates training in the activities listed above. For the same reason, and since this is a night fighter squadron we continue to list only operational hours flown at night.

1943.06.01

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy with showers, flying training continued by day, and two aircraft escorted convoy ”Occasion”. At night the weather closed down and there was no flying.
Flying hours. Day :- 17.00. Night :- Nil.

1943.06.02

Fairwood Common

The weather, unchanged, allowed test and practice flying by day and one curtained patrol at night. No enemy activity.
Flying hours. Day :- 16.20. Night :- 1.10

1943.06.03

Fairwood Common

A slight improvement in weather obtained. Two aircraft patrolled convoy “Topaz” in addition to the usual non-operational flying. One uneventful patrol flown at night.
Flying hours. Day :- 32.05 Night :- 2.35.

1943.06.04

Fairwood Common

The weather deteriorated again during the day making night flying impossible. It was feared that it might interfere with the visit to this station planned by Air Marshal H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester. Fortunately he was able to land here to make his visit and to take off on his way before the weather became completely U.S. H.R.H. attended by the A.O.C. No 10 Group and G/Cpt. Willoughby de Broke, among other things saw a fly past of three Mosquitos in formation with starboard propellers feathered. Although we write it, it was an impressive piece of work. He was then introduced to the Squadron and Flight Commanders and was shown “Ranger” material in the briefing room. In the afternoon the A.O.C. invested S.Ldr. Ranoszek with the D.F.C. In his speech A.V.M. Steele broke the news that we were to undertake “Instep” patrols from Predannack. One convoy patrol was flown and there was no night flying.
Flying hours :- Day. :- 5.20 Night. Nil.

1943.06.05
Fairwood Common

Weather still poor closing right down by nightfall. Three aircraft escorted convoy “Border III”, in addition the usual N.F.T’s were flown.
Flying hours :- Day. 28.00 Night. Nil

1943.06.06

Fairwood Common

A short improvement in weather conditions was welcome. Two patrols over convoy “Stratus” were included in 29.30 hours of day flying and two night patrols totalled 3 hrs. 50 minutes.

1943.06.07

Fairwood Common

Weather closed in completely no flying was undertaken by day or by night.

1943.06.08

Fairwood Common

Weather continued non-operational with no flying at all. F.Lt. Krawiecki and P.O. Buckiewicz were attached to No. 60 O.T.U. for “G” Box course.

1943.06.09

Fairwood Common

Flying again impossible except between 18.00 and 23.00 hrs. N.F.T’s brought flying hours to 2.40 between those hours. F.O. Zykun (pilot) and F.Lt. Kalinowski posted to-day from 151 Sqdn. They will fly with “B: Flight.

1943.06.10

Fairwood Common

A slight improvement in weather saw an increase in training and practice flying, but it was again non-operational by nightfall.
Flying hours :- Day. 16.50 Night. Nil.

1943.06.11

Fairwood Common

Weather as yesterday. One aircraft flew a convoy patrol. F.O. Warpechowski posted to No. 305 Squadron. Flying hours :- Day. 18.00 Night. Nil

1943.05.12

Fairwood Common

A great improvement in weather conditions to-day. At 11.58 coachman 36 – airborne for cross country, was diverted to intercept Hostile 984 – this was unsuccessful. A further attempt by Jersey 26 identified as a Sunderland. At night there was considerable enemy activity in the Plymouth area, seven patrols were flown in response but Jerry did not penetrate deeply enough to get involved wither with our Portreath aircraft or our Fairwood Common ones.
Flying hours. Day 26.30 Night 12.40.

1943.06.13

Fairwood Common

Weather improvement maintained. Our detachment at Predannack flew its first “Instep” patrol to-day; the patrol was uneventful and returned early owing to weather conditions. Four night patrols were flown, no enemy activity.
Flying Hours :- Day 18.30 Night 8.35.

1943.06.14

Fairwood Common

Weather fair to cloudy. The second Instep patrol was flown this day and provided a measure of excitement. The formation of four Mosquitos consisted of three from this Squadron, S.Ldr. Szablowski (Pilot) Sgt. Gajewski (Nav.Radio), F.O. Pelka (Pilot) F/Sgt. Zakrocki (Nav.Radio) and F.O. Gorzanka (Pilot) and F.O. Maluszek (Nav.Radio) in company with F.O. Harris (Pilot) and Sgt. Skeel of 410 Squadron (R.C.A.F). At 09.30 hours at 44° 50’ N. 08° 50’ W the formation led by S.Ldr. Szablowski saw five U Boats on the surface. The leader ordered line astern and directed attack against the second U boat, he saw strikes on the conning tower, he then attacked the third submarine again seeing strikes. The submarine set up a heavy barrage from quick firing guns and L.M.Gs. S.Ldr. Szablowski’s port engine was hit and stopped.
F.O. Pelka, coming in second, found his cannon would not fire, the third and fourth aircraft did not attack because by then the barrage had really got going and because S.Ldr. Szablowski’s engine was smoking. The engagement was broken off and S.Ldr. Szablowski returned on one engine (a distance of some 500 miles) and made a belly landing at Predannack (Hydraulics worked by port engine). The remainder completed their patrol. Weather at place of attack 3 to 5/10s at 1500 visibility 10 to 15 miles, some precipitation. Two night patrols were flown but there was no enemy activity.

1943.06.15

Fairwood Common

Weather still fair with showers, closing down at night. Day flying 12.35 hours night Nil. After doing a N.F.T. P.O. Sochacki (Pilot), F.O. Sliwak (Nav.Radio) were landing when starboard leg of undercarriage collapsed. Enquiry showed that it was unlocked. Crew unhurt. F.O. Baykowski posted to P.I.G.

1943.06.16

Fairwood Common

Weather as for yesterday again closing down at night. Day hours, including one convoy patrol, totalled 29.20. Night hours including two patrols, totalled 2 hours.

1943.06.17

Fairwood Common

Weather fair, practice flying continued and one convoy patrol was carried out. One night patrol was flown. P.O. Sochacki was unlucky to have undercarriage trouble again on landing after Cross Country. His port leg would not come down as soon as he had decided to land with only one, the weather broke and visibility was reduced to 300 yards, however, he made an excellent crash landing and aircraft damage was reduced to a minimum.
Day Hours 9.00 Night 4.00.

1943.06.18

Fairwood Common

Weather broke down and there was no flying by day or night. S.Ldr. Ranoszek’s posting as P.L.O. No. 10 Group came through to-day.

1943.06.19

Fairwood Common

After 18.00 the weather cleared, and flying was possible. Two night patrols were flown. One Instep patrol with three aircraft. S.Ldr. Szablowski (Pilot), Sgt. Gajewski (Nav.Radio), F.L. Bienkowski (Pilot), F.O. Borzemski (Nav.Radio) and F.O. Pelka (Pilot), F/Sgt. Zakrocki (Nav.Radio) with F.O. Murray, 410 Squadron, sighted a B.V.138 flying on the deck. S.L. Szablowski ordered the formation into line astern and swung into attack. F.O. Murray did not understand the order and came in sharply to attack independently. His turn was too sharp and his first attack was ineffective. The other three aircraft attacked in turn and all saw strikes. The B.V.138 climbed for cloud but S.Ldr. Szablowski and F.O. Pelka were able to get in a second attack from head-on. The enemy aircraft was smoking but still appeared able to climb, so S.Ldr. Szablowski went above it and ordered F.O. Pelka to remain below. The enemy aircraft just reached the cloud and staggered and F.O. Pelka delivered the coup de grace; the a/a crashed into the sea and caught fire. Three survivors were seen to reach a dinghy.
Total Hours Day 13.15. Night 5.40 including interception of a bogey which proved to be a Halifax by W.Cmdr. Orzechowski.

1943.06.20

Fairwood Common

Weather cloudy closing down at night. 26 hrs were flown by day and none by night.

1943.06.21

Fairwood Common

Jersey 27, F/Sgt. Dunin-Rzuchowski homed a Wellington at first light. He had to lower undercarriage by emergency system and landed without fail wheel, very slight damage. On Instep patrol our three aircraft in company with an R.C.A.F. Mosquito of 410 Squadron attacked two small merchant ships at 44.08N. 08.17W. S.L. Szablowski, F.O. Pelka and F.Lt. Bienkowski attacked and left one ship smoking from the bridge; some feeble return fire was experiences.

1943.06.22

Fairwood Common

Weather poor and closing down at night. One day convoy patrol was flown and P.O. Pacholczyk patrolled the Saltee Islands but saw nothing. Day hours 13.15 Night Nil. F/Sgt. Gorski (Pilot) and Sgt. Thomason (Nav.Radio) British, were posted to us from 54 OUT.
F.O. Tarnowski posted to No. 6 A.A.C.U.

1943.06.23

Fairwood Common

Weather improving. By day one convoy patrol was flown and F/Sgt. Jaworski was scrambled to investigate an ‘X’ raid which proved to be friendly. By night two patrols were flown. Total Hours day 25.00 Night 5.40

1943.06.24

Fairwood Common

Weather improvement maintained, normal day test and training flying continued and two night patrols were flown.
Total Flying Hours Day 17.50 Night 4.00

1943.06.25

Fairwood Common

Weather good. Test and training flying by day from patrols at night. Times Day. 21.20 Night. 14.40 F/Sgt. Saffery posted this day to No. 62 O.T.U. as Instructor; F.O. Maluszek is crewed up with F/Sgt. Eckert in his place.

1943.06.26

Fairwood Common

Weather fine. Training flying continued by day. During the night no patrols were flown, but the usual night training and cross country training flights were continued. An uneventful Instep patrol was flown from Predannack. Crews now attached there :- F.Lt. Damsz (Pilot). F.Lt. Sylwestrowicz (Nav.Radio) F.Lt. Dunin (Pilot) P.O. Buckiewicz (Nav.Radio) W.O Szemplinski (Pilot) Sgt. Tillman (British Nav.Radio).

1943.06.27

Fairwood Common

Weather fine. Training continued and four patrols totalling 8 hours were flown at night. We regret to record a fatal accident. F.Lt. Grzanka was making an engine test with F/Sgt. Oyrzanowski, Chief Mech E “C” Flight as passenger. They were testing an aircraft after a major overhaul. The aircraft was flying low and crashed a mile south of the airfield for caused at present unknown. F.Lt Grzanka was killed and F/Sgt. Oyrzanowski died next day in hospital.

1943.06.28

Fairwood Common

Weather fine no patrols by day or night, but training continued. F.O. Beda (Pilot) and W.O. Trawicki attached to R.A.F. Locking for S/L. course. P.O. Sadowski re-posted to this Unit after being commissioned and attending officer’s school Cosford.

1943.06.29

Fairwood Common

Weather fine. Training flying continued by day and by night. Four night patrols flown totalling 8 hours 45 mins. F/Sgt. Kielczewski (Pilot) and Sgt. Kirkbride (Nav.Radio.British) attached to R.A.F. Locking for S/L course.

1943.06.30

Fairwood Common

Weather fine, turning to mist at night which prevented night flying; day training continued. An uneventful Instep patrol was flown; the only incident being that F.O. Damsz had to return with airscrew trouble and W.O. Szemplinski with compass trouble. W.O. Zaniewski (Pilot) and F.Sgt. Ostrowski (Nav.Radio) to R.A.F. Locking for 24 hour S/L course.

[Illegible]
For Wing Commander, Commanding,
No. 307 (Polish) Squadron,
Royal Air Force.