Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

September 1943

Predannack

Althogh the weather has not been favourable for flying during this month, the Squadron has had several encounters with the enemy in the Bay of Biscay and we are glad to report the following results. On the 11th. one of our patrols of 4 Mosquitos was carrying out a Fighter Direction Operation with the Navy when it met six ME.110’s and without loss or damage to ourselves, destroyed one of them, probably destroyed two and damaged three. Shortly afterwards another of our patrols also co-operating with the Navy had an encounter with six JU.88’s of which it destroyed four and damaged another. We suffered no losses in personnel. One of our aircraft crash landed (Cat. B) and one was slightly damaged (Cat. A). On the 25th another of our patrols ran into 8 JU.88’s and destroyed two of them, probably destroyed another, and damaged three. In this engagement one of our aircraft was slightly damaged (Cat. A) and another though still in R/T contact immediately afterwards failed to return to base and we regret to have to record the loss of f/Sgt. Lowndes and his navigator F/Sgt. Cotton. Our equipment has consisted mainly of Mosquitos II though we have brought the number of our Mosquitos VI up to six. We supply every day eight aircraft for Instep patrols in the Bay of Biscay and 2 aircraft for G.C.I. practice and night training (if serviceability permits). During the moon period we had 4 aircraft at night readiness as well.

1943.09.01

Predannack

No flying carried out.

1943.09.02

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Two uneventful Instep patrols. Also some flying training. Total times: 37 hrs. 20 mins.

1943.09.03

Predannack

Two uneventful Instep patrols. Also some flying training. Total times: 39 hrs. 35 mins.

1943.09.04

Predannack

Two uneventful Instep patrols; the first returned owing to unfavourable weather conditions. Also some flying training carried out. Total times: 34 hrs. 15 mins.

1943.09.05

Predannack

One Fighter Direction Operation with Navy carried out. Later an Instep patrol was flown and a burst was fired across bows of tunneymen seen on return journey. Also some flying training. Weather fine with scattered thunder showers. Total times: 41 hrs. 05 min.

1943.09.06

Predannack

Two Fighter Direction Operation with Navy. Some flying training (day and night). Total times: 43 hr. 30 min.
F.O. Letowski posted from Squadron.

1943.09.07

Predannack

Two uneventful Instep patrols. Also some flying training F.O. W. Piotrowski, F.O. G. L. Fowler, F.O. Hannawin, P.O. Tofts, F/Sgt. L. J. Lowndes and Sgt. I. Cotton joined the Squadron for flying duties. Total times: 40 hr. 10 mins.

1943.09.08

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Two uneventful Instep patrols flown. Also some flying training (day and night). Total times: 47 hr 35 min.

1943.09.09

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One Instep Patrol flown during which two tunneymen were seen fishing. One was attacked and its mast fell off. Weather showery. Some flying training carried out. Total times: 19 hr 35 min.

1943.09.10

Predannack

Two Instep patrols flown; various British aircraft, naval units and a convoy as well as a French fishing boat seen. Total times: 29 hrs 15 mins.

1943.09.11

Predannack

A very successful day. Two fighter direction operations with navy carried out. In the first, six ME 110’s were encountered of which F/Sgt. Dunin-Rzuchowski (Nav. P.O. Buckiewicz) destroyed one, W/C. Orzechowski (Nav. F.Lt. Szponarowicz) probably destroyed one and damaged three, and S/Ldr. Damgs (Nav. F/Lt. Sylwestrowicz) probably destroyed one. S/Ldr. Damsz, one of whose engines overheated, returned safely on the other. In the second operation 6 JU.88’s were met and S/Ldr Lewandowski (Nav. F.O. Mika) destroyed two and damaged another, while W.O. Szemplinski (Nav. F/Sgt. Tillman) destroyed another two. W.O. Szemplinski’s aircraft received several hits and his windscreen was smashed by pieces from an e/a. Sgt. Brochocki (Nav. F.Lt. Gebicki) was attacked by a Beaufighter during the combat but he dived into clouds. His starboard engine feathered and he crash landed at base (Cat. B) Weather was good. Also some flying training carried out (day and night. Total times: 43 hrs 35 mins.

1943.09.12

Predannack

No flying carried out.

1943.09.13

Predannack

Some flying training (day and night) F.O. Cassels, Intelligence Officer proceeded to 123 Airfield on posting. Total Hours:- 5 hrs 20 mins.

1943.09.14

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Night flying training. Total times: 5 hrs 10 mins.

1943.09.15

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Two Instep patrols flown. During the first, three ships were investigated and these fired at our aircraft without hitting them. The ships were British sloops. Flying training also carried out. F.O. Palul posted from Squadron. Total times: 41 hrs 55 mins.

1943.09.16

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A little flying training. Unfavourable weather. Total Times: 3 hrs 40 mins.

1943.09.17

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Two Air-Sea Rescue operations carried out but nothing located. Two Fighter Direction Operations with Navy carried out. Weather showers some flying training undertaken (day and night).
Total Times:- 62 hours

1943.09.18

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Two uneventful Instep patrols flown. Some flying training carried out. Sgt. Brochocki (pilot) posted to D.P.I.G. Total Times:- 38 hrs 10 mins.

1943.09.19

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Some Flying training carried out. Total Times: 13 hrs 10 mins.

1943.09.20

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Some flying training carried out. Total Times: 14 hrs.

1943.09.21

Predannack

Two offensive patrols despatched, one to attack some JU.88’s reported to be carrying out bomber practice between Belle Ile and Ile De Groix, the other to protect four-engined aircraft engaged against U-boats West of Scillies. Owing to insufficient cloud cover the first mission had to be abandoned. The second patrol was uneventful. Weather showery. Some flying training (day and night) carried out. Total Times: 34 hours 55 mins.

1943.09.22

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Two uneventful Instep patrols. Some flying training (day and night). Total Times: 64 hrs 50 mins.

1943.09.23

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One uneventful Instep patrol. Some flying training carried out. Weather good. Total Times: 27 hrs 50 mins.

1943.09.24

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One uneventful Instep patrol. Weather good. Some flying training. Total Times: 27 hrs 10 min.

1943.09.25

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Two Instep patrols were carried out. The second was uneventful but in the first our aircraft had a successful encounter with 7 or 8 JU.88’s. F/Sgt. Steinke (Nav. P.O. Sadowski) destroyed one, probably destroyed another and damaged a third. S.Ldr. Damsz (Nav. F.L. Szponarowicz) destroyed one and damaged another and W.O. Jankowiak (Nav. F/Sgt. Karais) destroyed one. Weather 8/10 cloud. We have unfortunately to record that since the engagement and the order to return to base F/Sgt. Lowndes and his navigator F/Sgt. Cotton have not been heard of. Some flying training carried out. Total Times: 30 hrs 15 mins.

1943.09.26

Predannack

Two uneventful Fighter Direction Operations with Navy carried out. Also flying training (day and night). Total Times:- 48 hrs 55 mins.

1943.09.27

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One uneventful Instep Patrol. Weather continues bad. Some flying training. Total Times: 19 hrs 15 min.

1943.09.28

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One uneventful Instep Patrol. Weather showery. Flying training (day and night)
Total Times: 21 hrs 25 min.

1943.09.29

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One uneventful Instep Patrol curtailed owing to drizzle. A little flying training.
Total Times: 6 hrs 25 mins.

1943.09.30

Predannack

Weather very Foggy. No flying carried out.

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