Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-09-01

a.m. Squadron Formation flying and aircraft test. p.m. 1 Flight at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes. Two section carry out code flight with Operations. No Operational Flying.

1942-09-02

F/Lt. Poplawski (B””Flight Commander) posted to 58 O.T.U. for a rest from Operationa flying. Instruction for Circus 23 given – Circous later cancelled. a.m. 1 Flight at Readiness and 1 at 30 minutes. Training by flights carried out. p.m. In place of Operational flight Squadron carry out formation flying.

1942-09-03

F/O. Kudrewicz appointed to command “B” Flight.
a.m. Circus No. 213. Squadron start out at 9.30; Rendezvous at Northolt and Bigin Hill. Wing flies over Le Touquet at 26,000. Operations give warning that e/a are in the neighbourhood at 20,000 but no uncounters are made. The Squadron lands again at 11.00 by which time the weather is much werse and gradually getting werse still.

1942-09-04

a.m. Squadron in readiness from 06.30 expecting to repeat Circus 213. Start continually postponed and later cancelled at 13.30. p.m. Instead Squadron carry out formation flying. Four a/e are tested. At Northolt, during 306 Squadron Anniversary festivities several of our pilots and ground personnel receive decoration from the Polish President.

1942-09-05

Circus No. 214. Polish Wing in detailed to protect return of American A.F. Bostons from Le Havre. Start at 08.40: rendez vous at Northolt – Shorehem. French Ccast approached at 09.40 at 15,000. Bomb explosions scen. No e/a encountered in spite of two warnings by Ops. Squadron returns at 10.30 p.m. 1 Flight at Readiness and 1 at 30 minutes. Six aircraft carry out formation flying and attacks.

1942-09-06

a.m. 1 Flight at Readiness and 1 at 15 minutes. p.m. “B” Flight carry out training flights. 16.11 Squadron starts out on Circus 215. Polish Wing as “bouncing wing” escorting 6 Bostons to Abbeville. Rendez vous at Northolt and Shoreham. When approaching French Ocast F/Lt. Koc and P/O. Madej notice dinghy and give out signal and keep watch untill arrival of A/S Rescue (F/O Zuromski and P/O Mach) whe take up patrol until Valrus arrives at 18.25 Pilot in dinghy was shot down previous day Squadron lands at 18.00. A/S Rescue Section at 19.40.

1942-09-07

a.m. Squadron in readiness from 08.15. 09.00 Circus 217. Rendez-vous, Northolt and Clacton. Course then set for Ostend which was crossed at 23.00. Near English coast 308 Squadron (top cover) attacked by 4 FW 190.s. F/Lt. Koc goes to rescue and claims one damaged. One Spitfire pilot seen to bale out and Squadron circle round until he is picked up. Squadron return at 10.45.
p.m. released off Station. In evening a farewell drink to F/Lt. Poplawski who bring Mrs. Poplawska along to say goodbye.

1942-09-08

12.35. Polish Wing protect return of 6 Boston from Le Havre. Rendez vous over Northolt and Selsey Bill. Heavy Ack Ack experienced over Le Havre. Squadron return at 14.15. One Flight by P/O. Havela on A’ir Sea Rescue patrol.

1942-09-09

a.m. Two Sections called to readiness and 1 to 15 minutes. Forggy morning and no flying.
p.m. Talk by M.O. on importance of vaccination and inoculation. Received with passive interest.

1942-09-10

a.m. Two sections at readiness and 1 at 15 minutes. F.O. Paley flies to Exeter escorting Beaufighter. Two sections escort American transport plane to Yeovil and later back to Hendon. 1 Section co-operteswith Operations at 30,000 ft.
p.m. “B” Flight do formation flying.

1942-09-11

a.m. Squadron at 30 minutes. No flying in morning. Pilots taks cover from attacking clay pidgeons which are ultimately destroyed and a victory is accorded by the Intelligence officer.
p.m. 1 section do formation flying. F/O. Paley returns from Exeter. Signal that Squadron is to proceed to Ipswich for weeks air firing on 14th.

1942-09-12

a.m. Squadron at 30 minutes. Link Trainer practices. No flying due to fog.
p.m. 1 Section carry out attacks and Cine photo training.

1942-09-13

a.m. Link Trainer. p.m. 1 Section do formation and low flying. Instructions received that Cpl. Zaprawa is to be Court Martialled at Hutton Cranswick on the 29th on petrol charges.

1942-09-14

Ground crew leave by train for Ipswich. Pilots stand by. Rest of Squadron busily engaged on tidying up in dispersal and barracks.

1942-09-15

11.20 15 aircraft take off for Ipswich. Two follow late in the afternoon. Several mechanics who have been with Squadron since formation are posted to other Units.

1942-09-16

F/Lt. Ostaszewski posted as controller. Operational instructions received necessitating recall of Squadron. At Ipswich 30 a/c fire at sleeve target. 4 a/c do Cine Gun attacks. 1 a/c returns to Maintanance at Heston.

1942-09-17

a.m. Squadron return in early hours from Ipswich. But owing to bad weather Operations are cancelled and Squadron leaves for Ipswich again at 10.40.

1942-09-18

No firing at Ipswich owing to wether. Squadron formation flying. Two aircraft carry out dog fight.

1942-09-19

It Ipswich 36 aircraft carry out sleeve target firing. F/Lt. Hughes, the people’s friend, is briefed for the defence of Cpl. Zaprawa.

1942-09-20

A.C. Rosner posted to Polish Army for Signals Course. No firing at Ipswich owing to bad weather. 1 aircraft returns to Heston.

1942-09-21

12.15 Squadron returns from Ipswich and take over Readiness at 13.00 (one Flight at readiness and the other at 30 minutes). Four aircraft carry out dusk flying. 6 aircraft a fighter night readiness for 1 hour.

1942-09-22

a.m. 1 Flight at readiness and 1 at 30 minutes. Formation flying by flights.
p.m. 6 aircraft brought to Fighter Night Readiness.

1942-09-23

a.m. Flight formation flying. p.m. 6 a/c do sleeve firing at Southond. 11 a/c do dusk flying Lectures on Tommy Gun.

1942-09-24

a.m. a/c carry out dawn flying. Formation flying by flights. p.m. 1 Flight at readiness. More lectures on the Tommy Gun to Ground personnel.

1942-09-25

a.m. The Sten Gun is demonstrated. p.m. Squadron called to roadstead readiness. In evening orders that Squadron is to proceed to Middle Wallop with 2 mechanics and I.O.

1942-09-26

a.m. Two mechanics and I.O. leave for Middle Wallop in Bombay. 11.00 Squadron starts to Middle Wallop, where they take over readiness on completion of refueling. 315 Squadron also there. p.m. C.O. R.A.F. Middle Wallop gives talk to pilots on Operations that are to take place. Squadron set out on these at 17.00 hous but are recalled over channel owing to weather conditions and land at 17.50.

1942-09-27

Squadron at 15 minutes at Middle Wallop. Cpl. Zaprawa leaves for Court Martial at Hutton Cranswick “Will you no come back again”?.

1942-09-28

15.10 Squadron returns from Middle Wallop and take over readiness at 16.30 F/Lt. Hughes (Shister) and F/O. Whitehead (interrupter) leave for Hutton Cranswick to attend Court Martial of aforesaid Cpl. Zaprawa (hereinafter referred to as the “Accused”).

1942-09-29

08.15 1 Section called to scramble and patrol base for 45 minutes. 1 Flight at readiness until 13.00 hrs. Intelligence Officer gives talk on latest tactics and e/a. F/Sgt. Majchrzyk receives the rank of W.O. and 4 Cpls. advance to A/Sgt. Meanwhile at the H.C.C. (Hutton Cranswisk Court Martial or Hutton Cricket Club) the D.P.M. opening up on a sticky wicket makes a good beginning. Sgt. Marshall, playing a peaceful game, knocks up 12 with Cpl. Shepherd for the loss of 0 wickets. After the lunch interval F/Lt. Hughes puts on his googly bowlers and for the loss of only an additional 10 runs, gets the whole side out. The Accused (cpl Zaprawa hereinbefore-mentioned to be known herein after as such as aforesaid), batting without cap, and Sgt. Marecki, reply with a century before Sgt. Marecki retires. Cpl. Glegolski takes his place and together with the Accused burings the game to a successful conclusion. The Police team have have had a lean season this year and it is thought that Sgt. Marshall will not qualify for a place in the all Yorkshire eleven.

1942-09-30

a.m. foggy – no flying during the morning. p.m. 1 Flight called to readiness and 1 at 30 minutes. 1 section do cloud flying.

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