Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-04-01

F/O. Braunston goes over to Station as Admin. F/O Whitehead takes on duties as British
Adjutant. Usual flying.

1941-04-02

F/Lt. Filipowicz posted for Operations Room Duties. Air Ministry, order saying we to rearm with Spitfires.

1941-04-03

F/O Zbyszynski and 6 more mechanics go to Northolt to study serviceing of Spitfires and bring back any translations and instructions.

1941-04-04

S/Ldr. Orzechowski, F/Lt. Younghusband and Sgt. Muchowski fly to Kirton Lindsey to collect 3 Spitfires from 65 Squadron. S/Ldr. Orzechowski makes bad start and slightly but gets in another and returns to Baginton.

1941-04-05

Tree more Spitfires brought from 65 Squadron. Pilots try out the machines and machines get acquainted with Serviceing.

1941-04-06

Trying out Spit’s. Pilots take to the machines at once – very maneuverable and lighter to handle. 1 F/Sgt. And 8 A.C.H. s arrive from Syerston. No one knows why, but they will come in useful.

1941-04-07

Hurricanes being got ready for dispatch. Another Spitfire delivered. Translation of instructions being made.

1941-04-08

Formation flight on Spit’s. Big Blitz on Coventry. Beaufighters come from Wittering. Hurricanes kept out.

1941-04-09

Arrangement’s made for night flying from Bramcote. Six pilots and 4 machines go over. Blitz continues. Good conditions for encounter with fires blazing at Coventry and Birmingham but same old of patrol lines used no results. One bomber brought down at Bramcote by Beaufighters.

1941-04-10

Scramble against enemy reconnaissance plane. No result. Blitz continues in night – Pisarek lands at Wittering after being up 21/2 hours.

1941-04-11

Bombs on aerodrome but everything clear by 1000 hours. Collecting and delivering of Hurricanes and Spitfires continues. Mrs. Sosnkowska pays visit and brings comforts.

1941-04-12

Usual flying activities. Pilots not very optimistic as to results during night flying if present tactics are continued.

1941-04-13

Easter. Short ceremony at Dispersal of breaking eggs and exchanging good wishes. W/Cdr. More and mother attend. A.O.C. and W/Cdr. Oliver come over. P/O. Wandzilak kept at call, but was not admitted into The Presence.

1941-04-14

Day and night flying as usual. Spits in pretty bad condition. All old crocks passed to us.

1941-04-15

Get rid of one Battle. Scramble given during day later turns out to be an Anson.

1941-04-16

More Spits arrive. S/Ldr. Gillan goes up in formation. 6 mechanics and 3 machines sent to Bramcote.

1941-04-17

Demonstration flights over Birmingham and Coventry during lunch hour, to cheer up the workers. Pilots consequently late for lunch. By great condescension on the part of the authorities, they are given a meal.

1941-04-18

Bozek turned back twice on the way to Rhosneigrr on account of bad weather. Carrying with him precious cargo, 1 bulb ( electric ) – probably now be sent by post. Night flying cancelled.

1941-04-19

Raining cats and dogs. Intermittent flying. New instructions as to Day and Night Readiness. Work will still be pretty tiring until 403 become operational.

1941-04-20

Four Hurricanes collected by odd Units. Usual flying.

1941-04-21

401 Canadian Squadron arrive on some schema during the morning. Lwowska Fala, Polish Concert Party, give performance at Honiley. Later, a party is given in the Officers’ Mess which goes on until the early morning. Songs and dance.

1941-04-22

Hardly any flying apart from weather test.

1941-04-23

F/Lt. Younghusband posted to 96 Squadron. No. of Canadian Officers arrive which will at last bring 403 up to Establishment. Airmen’s dance at Honiley.

1941-04-24

Last of the Hurricanes which were kept for night flying go. Nothing but Spits.

1941-04-25

“B” Flight go to Colerne. On returning Wandzilak hits another plane whilst landing.

1941-04-26

L’Affaire Wandzilak starts. P/O Wandzilak suspended. Distinet murmurings and rumbles heard.

1941-04-27

Formation flying in the morning. G/Capt. Pawlikowski arrives in a Hind in the afternoon.

1941-04-28

S/Ldr. Orzechowski goes on leave. Re-inforcement flight to Colerno. Slight mess up, owing to Ops. Trying to be too clever. Reports and Counter reports – Not going to let the Top Op get away with it.

1941-04-29

Usual flying activites.

1941-04-30

F/Lt. Kosinski and Pisarek go to Polish Inspectorate for periodical pow wows.

Squadron Leader,
Officer commanding, No. 308 Polish Fighter Squadron