Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-05-01

S/Ldr. Nowierski flies to Northolt – is probably leaving Squadron for duties at Northolt. Convoy protection – Scramble and patrol. Dusk flying. F/O. Kleczynski takes up dities as Intelligence Officer after several weeks absence in hospital.

1942-05-02

Tow sections to Bolthead. Scramble – Convoy protection. Interception practice.

1942-05-03

Polish National Day – Mass by dispersal. Intercepton practice. Scramble at Bolthead. Stabrowski and Majchrzyk intercept J.U. 88. Stabrowski fires all his ammunition. Enemy a/c claimed as damaged. In evening heavy blitz on Exeter. Two sections go up on night patrol.

1942-05-04

Advance party leave for Hutton Cranswick. Damage from Blitz fairly extensive. No one in Squadron hurt, though quite a few officers loose linen and uniforms at laundry and cleaners.
a.m. Co-operation flight – cannon test.
Evening Night patrol over Exeter – only short alarm.

1942-05-05

One Section to Bolthead – Scramble – Convoy protection. Packing up and ready for loading.

1942-05-06

Signal arrives appointing F/Lt. Szyszka as S/Ldr. w.e.f. 1st. May. F/O. Poplawski becomes Flight Commander. S/Ldr. Nowierski posted to Northolt as 2nd in Command of Wings. One Section still at Bolthead. Loading up at Clyst Honiton Station all day.

1942-05-07

Squadron leave Exeter. Main party leave by train at 08.45 arriving at Hutton Cranswick at 20.30. Air Party arrived at 18.30, stopping for lunch at Honiley and renewing old acquaintences.

1942-05-08

Contacts made with personnel of Station Headquarters, Adjutant, Intelligence, etc. Pilots go out on Sector Reconnaissance and take over readiness at 13.00. One Scramble. Squadron offices temporarily in dispersal hut of A flight. Plenty of room, but only on e telephone.

1942-05-09

Sector reconnaissance. Scrambles (convoy protection) Cine gun practice.

1942-05-10

Scrambles. Formaton attacks at 25,000 feet. Formation flying. Convoy protection. Interception exercises.

1942-05-11

Scrambles. Sector Reconnaissance. Squadron has settled down to new station and likes it. Sgt. Zielinski to be posted to No. 3 Delivery Flight at High Ercall.

1942-05-12

Scramble (convoy protection)
a.m. A/c Recognition teat. Lecture by S/Ldr.
p.m. Ten pilots fly to Catfoss to see enemy aircraft JU 88. HE 111 and ME 110. Owing to bad weather no flying demonstation was possible.

1942-05-13

Sector reconnaissance. Squadron fly to Kirton in Lindsey and back. F/O. Zuromski remain there as undercarriage gives trouble. Attack and dog fighting.

1942-05-14

Flight formation flying. Scramble. Two aircraft escort e/a from Catfoss over Driffield.

1942-05-15

A.O.C. pays visit and has a talk with pilots. Squadron later give demonstration of formation flying. F/O. Ilinski and Sgt. Herbat go to Matlask for Air firing practice.

1942-05-16

Cloud flying and low flying. “Olly” Squadron I.O., starts test on a/c recognition but the Squadron won’t play.

1942-05-17

a.m. Squadron set off for formation flying. Sgt. Knott collides with s/Ldr. Szyszka. Both planes crash and pilots are killed. F/Lt. Skiba takes over Squadron.
p.m. Wing formation flying. Squadron fly to Kirton.

1942-05-18

Flight formation flying. F/O. Kleczynski goes to Intelligence couse at Harrow. Polish authorities announce award fo KRZYZ WALECZNY to F/Lt. Skiba and Sgt. Marecki.

1942-05-19

Flight formation flying. W/Cdr. Morris pays visit to Dispersals. Target towing and air firing at Matlask all day.

1942-05-20

Scramble. Formation flying. W/cdr. Witrzeno flies over from Kirton.

1942-05-21

Funeral of S/Ldr. Szyszka and Sgt. Knott. Mass said at R.A.F. Leconfield. Burial at Leconfield Church next to two other Polish pilots killed when 303 Squadron were at Leconfield. Detachment of S.H.Q., W.A.A.Fs., and Foyal Navy present.
Formation flying and low flying. Escort ordered for German aircraft and then cancelled.

1942-05-22

Scramble and convoy protection. Formation and low flying. F/O. Zbyszynski goes on embarkation leave prior to being posted out East.

1942-05-23

Local flying. S/Ldr. Zak, who is to be apoointed nes S/Ldr., pays snooping visit from Northolt. Polish authorities announce awards to four Senior N.C.O.s of ground staff.

1942-05-24

formation Flying. A.M. Scramble. p.m. Demonstration by some Commandos of unarmed combat – Local police have already been instructed in various holds. Two sections to Church Fenton for night flying.

1942-05-25

a.m. Section return from Church Fenton.
Scrambles.

1942-05-26

Formation flying. Attacks. Air Firing and Wing Flying. Sgts. TUREK & OSOBA report from 58 O.T.U.

1942-05-27

Signal from High Ercall that Sgt. Zielinski has been killed in Maggy.
Air Firing at Matlask. Formation flying and dog fighting. Sgt. Turek makes very good forced landing in Scarboro – owing to engine seizure. S/Ldr. Zak arrives.

1942-05-28

F/Lt. Skiba hands over Squadron to S/Ldr. Zak. Short ceremony by Dispersal. Night flying.

1942-05-29

Interception practice. Low flying. scramble. M.O. Starts vaccination of whole Squadron.

1942-05-30

Flight formations. Fighter night practice – one flight at Church Fenton. Polish authorities announce grant of permanent Polish War Rank of F/Lt. to late S/Ldr. Szyszka and F/Lt. Skiba.

1942-05-31

Flight returns frm Church Fenton. Formation flying – practice attacks – tests at 30,000 feet. Body of Sgt. Zielinski arrives from High Ercall and in taken to mortuary at R.A.F. Leconfield. Funeral of Sgt. Zieinski. Service (Mass) held at Dispersal before lunch. In sfternoon burial takes place at Leconfield Cemetery. Slow march from R.A.F. Station Leconfield to the Cemetery. Station supply firing party.
F/Lt. Skiba posted to Church Lawford for instructors course. F/O. Blaszczyk reports from 58 O.T.U.

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