Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-03-01

Non-Operational weather. Night flying programme arranged and then cancelled.

1942-03-02

Non-operational weather. Lectures on convoys by S/Ldr. Nowierski. F/O. Zbyszynski returns from convalescence at Torquay. B/F file in 9 months time.

1942-03-03

Weather test in the morning after which no more flying as weather unfit. Demonstration at ALTCAR range therefore cancelled. Pilots go to the swimming baths Southport in the afternoon.

1942-03-04

Weather again non-operational. Snow. In the morning lectures. In the afternoon showing of cine gun films. Four pilots go to Atcham for lecture on latest developments on Co-oprration with army and renew their acquaintance with G/Capt. More. S/Ldr. Nowierski goes on leave.

1942-03-05

a.m. Weather test and a/c test. Aldcar range denonstration again cancelled. Snow still on the ground.

1942-03-06

Snow still lying – no flying apart from weather test. Usef9l consignment of rubger goods received by Squadron M.O. Remember Malaya.

1942-03-07

a.m. Coop exercises with Station Defence. Posts dive bombed. Afterwards usual training flights. Night flying and night readiness cancelled. Sgt. De malherbe returns after being over 3 months in hospital. Will probably be invalided out.

1942-03-08

a.m. Scramples – plnes ordered to patrol convoy. Air to Air Firing. Officially announced that F/O. Poplawski awarded highest Polish decoration. Virtuti Militari. Let’s hope his married life will be equally virtuous.

1942-03-09

a.m. Weather test – weatrher unfit for flying. Low flying attack at Turton cancelled. p.m. showing of combat films.

1942-03-10

Altcar range demonstration carried out – troops spotted in target area. F/O. Dolicher goes to 56 O.T.U. as Instructior. Four more O.T.U. pilots posted from Grangemouth.

1942-03-11

Foggy morning. Lectures. F/O. Kleczynski goes to Hospital to have tonsils removed. Fingers out already. S/Ldr. Nowierski returns from leave.

1942-03-12

a.m. Weather tests. p.m. Formation flying. F/O. Stabrowski busy painting scenery for Squadron concert on Staurday.

1942-03-13

Weather test, after which usual training activities. Another demonstration at Altear. Final rehearshals for concert.

1942-03-14

Weather test and usual activities. Squadron concert. Billetors and other Local worthies attend. Everyone seems to have enjoyed it – especially the singing of the choir.

1942-03-15

a.m. Two scrambles. p.m. usual training flights. F/Lt. Palusinski posted by 303 Squadron as Controller.

1942-03-16

Firing at the Pill Booces at Altcar range. F/O. Zbierachowski fires 1205 – F/O Zuromski 1440 rounds. Everyone content.

1942-03-17

Weather tests and Air firing. Another flight over Altcar – troops again spotted in target area.

1942-03-18

Low flying and air to rtound firing. Two Official Polish Photographers to take pilots of Squadron at work.

1942-03-19

Muggy weather – unfit for flying. Cadet Sgt. Polak commissioned. Confirmation of our move to Exeter comes through.

1942-03-20

Two scrambles over convoys. Usual training flights. In afternoon another demonstration of dinghy drill. Sgt. Schiele obliges.

1942-03-21

formation flying and target firing. Sgt. de Malherbe posted to Blackpool prior to being invalided out. S/Ldr. Zyborski and representative of Polish Y.M.C.A. pay visit to discuss possibility of setting up a Polish recreation hut.

1942-03-22

Formation flying and attacks. Air Firing and usual activites.

1942-03-23

a.m. scramble. F.O. Zbyszynski goes to Northolt for conference of Squadron Engineers in connection with our move.

1942-03-24

Target firing and other training flights. Dusk firing cancelled.

1942-03-25

anti gas training for mechanics in flights. Dusk – night flying as usual. F/O. Zuromski, when taxying collides with lorry parked on runway.

1942-03-26

A.M. Lectures p.m. Low flying.

1942-03-27

Scrambles over Base. Formation & attacks.

1942-03-28

Advance party leave for Exeter. Advance party 315 arrive in evening. Scramble over Convoy. Practice turn about in day conditions. In afternoon Station Cross Country race won by Matjaszek. Kieres the only other Squadron represenative came in second. Farewell cocktail party to Squadron in Officers’ Mess.

1942-03-29

Re-inforcement/exercises at Valley. Waggons already arrived at Woodvale Station and loading begins.

1942-03-30

Packing all day. By 15.00 hous everything loaded and most of the Squadron had disappeared to pay their farewell calls. 17.00hrs. two Harrow planes arrive to transport mechanics and last minute alterations had to be made.

1942-03-31

Special train leaves Woodvale at 10.45 arriving Exeter 22.00. Weather pretty bad all the way and on arriving at Exeter it was learnt that the planes had not left Woodvale.

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