Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-05-01

Baginton

Rain. Flying as usual. Party for F/Lt. Younghusband at Greswolde Hotel in the evening. Speeches – lumps in throat for he’s a jolly good fallow.

1941-05-02

Night Flying training on Spits. – preparatory to next Fighter Night Period.

1941-05-03

3rd May Celebrations. Service in Blister Hangar. C.O. , Mother and Czech delegation attend. Station defence officer mistakes bell rung during. Mess for gas alarm.

1941-05-04

Cbcks advance one hour. Ops. B. very annoyed at losing one hour’s work. Night flying from Bramcote. 3 Hurricanes from 605 share our dispersal point and are serviced by us.

1941-05-05

P/O. Szyszka hits telegraph wires and sets things buzzing. S/Ld. Orzechowski – The Peacemaker- returns,

1941-05-06

G/Cpt. Pawlikowski down on visit. During a scramble P/O Szyszka led into Balloons by Ops. Not so good.

1941-05-07

W.Cdr. gives pep talk to pilots. No marines present. Usual flying – hard work for many of pilots who are flitting about constantly between Honiley, Baginton and Bramcote.

1941-05-08

Oh mother he’s done it again. Szyszka again in balloons – some “would be S/Ldr” evidently learning his job. Sgt. Kremski crashes at Speke.

1941-05-09

Air Firing at Prestatyn cancelled. P/O Chcuik goes in Magister to Speke to brink back Kremski.

1941-05-10

Great drama, in Hollywood style. At 11th hour marriage of A.C.Fraczek stopped, as definite proof at hand that he in a widower.

1941-05-11

Two more Spitfires brought by Czech ferry pilots. P/O Surma bales out Macclesfield, Nr. Worcester. P/O Wandzilak posted to R.A.F. station Millom. 1 Flight of 403 Squadron become Operational. This will make things a bit easier for the pilots.

1941-05-12

Guinea pig incident. P/O Szyszka’s report on balloon incident sent in “ as an experienced pilot I personally have no desire to be treated as experimental guinea pig by would-be controllers who have little but aspirations to recommend them at present”.

1941-05-13

Coldish weather. Usual flying. Squadron very amused by reports that two of the officer were seen to wolf a 3lb. jar of jam during tea – are the officers still alive?

1941-05-14

Turned quite cold. More Spits. Brought by Czech pilots.

1941-05-15

Very cold – odd drops of snow. Squadron formation flying in Spits. Signal comes announcing change to Spitfire II. Hope they will be in a batter state than the present crocks.

1941-05-16

Usual flying activities. Still trying to find jam culprits.

1941-05-17

More Squadron formation flights. Night flying liquidated at Bramcote.

1941-05-18

Squadron formation flights. Interception practice against Tomahawks.

1941-05-19

Raining. Nothing much doing. Telephone communication between Ops. And Dispersal out – which lead those bright young things to make report that none of the dispersal operators were at their posts.

1941-05-20

Air firing at Prestatyn cancelled. Dull day – little flying.

1941-05-21

Parachute practice attacks. Big regional scheme with army and Horse Guard co-operation.

1941-05-22

More practice parachute interception exercises. Wandzilak goes. Then there were 8………..

1941-05-23

Six pilots go to Rochford to collect Spit IIs. Usual flying.

1941-05-24

New Spits. Arrive – in much better condition tha(x) the Spit Is. Football match with Czech team from Leamington who win 5 – 1.

1941-05-25

8 more pilots go to Rochford for more spits. 306 Polish Squadron arrive from Northolt on a re-inforcement scheme.

1941-05-26

8 Spits. arrive. Signal announcing our move to Chilbolton and 403 to Ternhill.

1941-05-27

Getting ready to move. Thomas and Moszynski go to spy out the land, and bring reports of land flowing with milk and honey. General relief at being moved to another Sector.

1941-05-28

Advance party under F/O Zbyszynski leave for Chilbolton. Lorries arrive and are loaded. Farewell party in Mess for two Squadrons. 3lb jar of jam handed over to F/Lt. Braunston as reparations.

1941-05-29

Leave for Chilbolton in large convoy at about 1100 hours. Travelling very slowly we get there
about 8.30p.m. P/O.s Bozek and Sgt. Muchowski go to Rochford for two more Spits.
Squadron, which should have flown over sometime during day, kept back at Baginton because of bad weather.

1941-05-30

CHILBOLTON

Dull day. Planes still kept at Baginton. Unpacking and settling down in new quartes. Contact made with Middle Wallop.

1941-05-31

Dull day turning to mist. S/Ldr. Orzechowski sets out for Chilbolton from Baginton to see if planes could start, but cannot find aerodrome owing to mist so returns.
Squadron very pleased with new quarters. Everyone very considerate, obliging and out to help. Marked contrast to way Squadron has been treated up till now. This change of atmosphere cannot but have a marked effect on the Squadrons’ flying.

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