Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-08-01

Squadron unpacked and settled down at new station. No. flying. Talks to pilots by Squadron ad Station Intelligence Officer.

1942-08-02

arrival of three frienly German aircraft who give xhibition. (M.E.109E – JU 88 and Heinkel 111)1/2
Same aircraft as seen at Hutton Cranswick. 7 aircraft carry out sector reconnaissance.

1942-08-03

a.m. Talk to pilots on air to sea rescue. “Rhubarb” instructions.
p.m. Another demonstration flight by the friendly “furies” escorted by one section from “A” flight Jerries then fly to another aerodrome. Training flights carried out by Flights.

1942-08-04

13.00 Squadron takes over Readiness. Both flights carry out usual training eercises.

1942-08-05

a.m. A Flight in Readiness. B Flight do training flights.
p.m. Talk to Squadron by I.O. – followed by Squadron formation flight.

1942-08-06

a.m. Formation flights. Dog fights.
p.m. Squadron brought to readiness by Operations then almost immediately released.
Wing formation flight with 302 and 317.

1942-08-07

a.m. Training flights – Squadron formation and practics interceptions. Flying Officer Yeo-Thomas, for I.O., pays visit to Squadron.

1942-08-08

From dawn at “Roedstead” readiness.
p.m. 1 Flight at readiness. 1 Flight at 15 minutes. Testing machines.

1942-08-09

a.m. Squadron in readiness. p.m. Training exercises by Flights. Instrument Flying (clouds).

1942-08-10

a.m. Pilots and some of ground staff inspect instruments and parts of German a/c
p.m. Squadron formation flying.

1942-08-11

Squadron formation flying, during which “A” Flight land at North Weald and after filling up with petrol return. Two machines tested.

1942-08-12

a.m. From dawn Squadron at “Roadstead” readiness. G/Capt. Fiumel pays visit to Station and makes sanitary inspection.
p.m. 1 Flight at Readiness and 1 at 15 minutes. Squadron training flights.

1942-08-13

a.m. Squadro in readiness. p.m. Both flights carry out training exercises.

1942-08-14

Servicing party detached to Croydon. a.m. Squadron formation flying. p.m. training flights. Two aircraft tests.

1942-08-15

Serwicing Polish Soldiers Day celebrated by saying of Mass.
p.m. Flights carry out their own training programme.

1942-08-16

a.m. Training flights. p.m. 1 Flight at readiness. 1 Flight at 15 minutes. Instrument flying in clouds.

1942-08-17

a.m. 1 Flight at readiness and 1 flight at 15 minutes. p.m. training flights. Dog fights at 35,000. Talk by I.O. on FW fighter.

1942-08-18

Squadron C.O.s and I.Os of Northolt Wing meet at Northolt and are briefed for Jubilee Operations. On their return from Northolt, pilots are given their instructions.

19th and 20th rendered to 11 Group separately

1942-08-19

07.05 Deippe Operations had commenced, and 308 Polish Squadron was detailed with other fighter Squadrons to provide a fighter umbrella for these operations. The Squadron went out five times during the operations, four on 19th August, and once on the 20th August. The main taks of the Squadron was to provide top and middle covers for bombers, and this was done without loss to themselves, and also no enemy aircraft were encountered. Pilots obsdrved fires on the French shore, and experienced flak several times. Heavy gun duels wre seen to be taking place between our ships, and the shore defenses. On their third sweep of the day, they observed a ship being blown up, this being the only item of immediate interest. The fourth sweep, one of protection, and fighter cover, oc[Illegible]nced at 15.54, and a convoy was sighted in mid-channel. The Squadron returned to Base at 17.15 hours havying experienced nothing else.

1942-08-20

16.55 the fifth, and last sweep ordered for the Deippe Operation was a divertionary sweep in No. 2 Le Havre area. 308 Polish Squadron, together with 306, and 317 Squadron met tangmere, and No. 10 Group wings, flew towards Le havre area, and before reaching Le Havre turned back for Base. No enemy aircraft were seen. The weather for both days was on the whole good, but hazey at first, clearing later in the day.

1942-08-21

a.m. Squadron in rediness. p.m. Usual training flights.

1942-08-22

a.m. Squadron brought to readiness. Whilst 302 ordered to take part in Operations over France.
p.m. C.O. talks to pilots about Dieppe Operations.

1942-08-23

a.m. “B” Flight carry out Air Firing. F/O. Wasilewski posted to Squadron supernumerary for Adjutant duties.

1942-08-24

14.00 Two section scramble. landing again at 14.40
15.00 Scramble – section vectored over Portsmouth fly at 30,000 as A.A. is firing to 26,000. e/a spotted flying very high and is chased over channel where it is lost.
15.30 Northolt Wing make sweep over Abbeyville. No encounter. Three machines carry out Air Sea Rescue work.

1942-08-25

a.m. 1 Flight at readiness. p.m. Squadron released off statio. Hurried dates made over phone. Three sections at night readiness.

1942-08-26

p.m. Squadron set out for training flight. Whilst in air receive instructions from Ops and are directed over Calais at height ov 25,000. No encounters.

1942-08-27

a.m. Squadron Adjutant of wing meet at Northolt to discuss method of putting orders in pilot’s order book. Squadron in readiness from 11.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 14.30. Six a/c do night readiness.

1942-08-28

F/O. Czeppe returns from Henlow to Squadron.
12.35 Northolt wing make offensive patrol over Abbeyville, Wing warned that e/a were about, but none seen.
19.00 Squadron takes part in escorting bombers over Ostend. Land in dark at Manston at 21.00 hrs.

1942-08-29

a.m. Squadron return from Manston.
10.45 Squadron protect fortesses returning from Courtrais. E/A seen in distance going in direction of fortresses but no encounter. Funeral of Duke of Kent. R.A.F. Heston supply bearer party of 10 including Sgt. Turek.

1942-08-30

No training flights or air firing owing to operations. These were later cancelled.
p.m. Dusk flying. F/O. Ilinski lands with u/c up. Three other s/c consequently land at Northolt.

1942-08-31

a.m. Three a/c return from Northolt. F/Lt. Baranski posted from Squadron to 302 as flight Commander. No one yet posted in his place as Controller.

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