Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

August 1943

Predannack

The major news this month is our move to Predannack at 36 hours notice on August 5th to 7th. We exchanged aircraft and jobs with 264 Squadron and got the worst of both bargains. The aircraft left behind at Fairwood were at a high state of maintenance, one of the tops of the wave with major inspections completed and so on. The aircraft we took over at Predannack were in the trough of the wave, and 264 Squadron had had to struggle against odds with underestablished M Flight and an echelon whose numbers were at low tide. As to the job; 264 Squadron had been required to supply twelve aircraft per day for Instep sorties; to help them were two detachments of four aircraft, one from 456 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron, and one from ourselves. Obviously, when we arrived we absorbed our own detachment and we have struggled to provide twelve aircraft with only 456 to help us. Incidentally it should be noted here that they are a grand crowd to work with and have given all help in their power. At the time of writing, representations have been made, and it is hoped that our lot will soon be made lighter.
As far as the flying itself has gone, we have had reasonable weather and have maintained the effort. F.W.190s have been met in the Bay, and we regret to have to record our first battle casualty, F.Sgt. Eckert and F.O. Maluszek were lost in action against F.W’s.
The Squadron Commander has put forward a scheme for using Mk. IV AI on Instep Patrols, and if it is accepted it will enable us to work further out in the bay in the JU.88 area, instead of working nearer to France on their presumed tracks home. We have also to record the arrival of the first batch of Mosquito VI aircraft.

1943.07.31 — 1943.08.01

Predannack

Weather operational until 03.00 hours. Two uneventful ‘Flower’ sorties were flown, and four other patrols.
Total Hours :- 19 hrs. 45 mins.

1943.08.01

Predannack

Weather non-operational during most of day and all night, a little test flying and no patrols.

1943.08.02

Predannack

Weather improved at dawn and the usual practices an N.F.Ts. were flown. At night one uneventful (Flower) sortie was flown and three patrols totalling 8 hrs. 20 mins.

1943.08.03

Predannack

Weather operational throughout. An A.S.R. flight was undertaken at 06.15 hours for a missingP.43, and further help was offered; for once Group had sufficient aircraft!! Two patrols were flown at night; day and night operational hours totalled 6 hrs 10 mins. 4 aircraft moved to Predannack to re-inforce 264 Squadron.

1943.08.04 — 1943.08.11

Predannack

Owing to weather conditions on the 4th and our move to Predannack, no flying was undertaken. This does not include the 8th on which day our re-inforcement at Predannack flew on an air sea-rescue search which ended in all four aircraft landing in very bad weather at Fairwood. F.Lt. Smogor landed an hour after the other with R.T. trouble.

1943.08.09 — 1943.08.10

Predannack

No operational flying was undertaken and acceptance tests were carried out on the aircraft we took over from 264 Squadron.

From 11th onwards thid diary is a record of Instep patrols flown. It follows that a flying test is made before operational flights. Where other flights, e.g. A.S.R., are made they are listed, and two aircraft are at readiness each day for A.S.R. purposes. At our present pressure of work, training flying and night flying are at a standstill. The courses and turning point times are of no value to this diary; one piece of sea is like another, and any interest, other than combats and sightings, is the province of Coastal Command.

1943.08.11

Predannack

Two sorties each of four aircraft, nothing reported by either. Weather good here and throughout tripe. F.Sgt. Dunin-Rzuchowski flying from Fairwood to Predannack in a Magister reported overdue. Two aircraft from A Flight searched the Bristol channel until 23.00 hours but found nothing. Instep total time 30-45 hours.

1943.08.12

Predannack

A Mosquito of 264 Squadron spotted Sgt. Dunin at 07.40 in his dinghy; he was picked up O.K. at 09.05 hours by R.M.L. Three uneventful instep sorties totalled 40.25 hours. Weather remained good.

1943.08.13

Predannack

Weather fair to begin with but closed down later. The first Instep sortie got off, completed patrol, but could not land back at base. 1 aircraft landed St. Morgan and three aircraft landed at Exeter. Remaining sorties abandoned. Total times 20.20 hours.

1943.08.14

Predannack

Weather continued non-operational and all sorties were abandoned.

1943.08.15

Predannack

Weather improved and two sections of four aircraft completed their patrols which were uneventful. Total times 28.30 hrs.

1943.08.16

Predannack

Weather maintained, two sorties of four aircraft and 1 sortie of three aircraft were flown. One aircraft did not take off owing to boost pressure trouble. Nothing to report. Total times 51.10 hrs.

1943.08.17

Predannack

Weather operational at bas, but a front with unsettled weather behind it was encountered and all aircraft returned early. Total Times :- 11.45 hours.

1943.08.18

Predannack

Weather operational and three full sorties were flown, all were uneventful. Total times 46.10 hrs.

1943.08.19

Predannack

Weather non-operational all day, crews released before lunch.

1943.08.20

Predannack

Weather improved, three sorties were flown one being of 3 a/c only. Nothing was reported. Total times 42.05 hrs.

1943.08.21

Predannack

Weather remained fair and two complete sorties were flown with exception of F.Lt. Smogor who returned after 90 mins. with engine trouble. Total times. 32.35 hours.

1943.08.22

Predannack

Two Instep patrols were flown totalling 24.55 hours. One A.S.R. patrol was flown, S.Ldr. Lewandowski leading with P.O. Pelka, F.Sgt. Wojczynski and F/Sgt. Eckert.
At 49.94 N O6.50 W while flying at 100 ft, our aircraft spotted 4 F.W. 190s.flying in pairs, heading N.N.E. slightly above them. Our aircraft turned on to a vector of 320 degrees, but a moment later the F.W’s turned on to them and attacked from astern, opening fire at S.Ldr. Lewandowski from 500 yards. He was then on port sid of formation, he took successful evasive action which brought F/Sgt. Eckert into the outside position. The same e/a jettisoned its L.R. tank and dived on F/Sgt. Eckert and fired two bursts from 300 to 50 yards range. His tail disintegrated and his aircraft caught fire and crashed into the sea. Our aircraft were shadowed by 2 e/a for three minutes. The other e/a circled smoke patch in sea. Time for 3 surviving aircraft totalled 4 hrs 35 mins.

1943.08.23

Predannack

Weather good, two uneventful sorties flown. Total times 30.20 hrs.

1943.08.24

Predannack

Weather still good. Two sorties flown Totalling 56.20 hrs. Coastal Command required sorties to consists of 6 aircraft each. Each patrol to-day was therefore increased to 6 aircraft, but it is felt that 6 is a bad number from tactical point of view.

1943.08.25

Predannack

10 Group have refused to allow sorties of 6 aircraft, much to our relief, but have agreed to a formation of 8. Accordingly we flew one sortie of 8 aircraft to-day. F/Sgt. Wojczynski did not take off. S.Ldr. Lewandowski had petrol trouble and returned, escorted by 1 aircraft, later F/Sgt. Gorski also turned back, escorted by 1 aircraft and landed on one engine. The remaining 3 completed their patrol. Total time 26.10 hours.

1943.08.26

Predannack

Expecting to fly 2 patrols of 6 aircraft. 10 Group had laid on only two sorties. To-day, therefore, we flew 2 sorties with 4 aircraft in each. Nothing was reported.

1943.08.27

Predannack

Weather at base fine, but adverse reports from the Bay of Biscay caused all crews to be released at 13.00 hrs.

1943.08.28

Predannack

No Sorties carried out. Weather non-operational.

1943.08.29

Predannack

Weather conditions throughout the day were poor and no operational flying was carried out.

1943.08.30

Predannack

No Sorties carried out. Weather non-operational.

1943.08.31

Predannack

Weather conditions poor and no flying carried out.

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