Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-12-01

Usual training by Flights in morning &afternoon. Six pilots fly Master for instrument flying. One section carry out dummy attacks on Army gun post.

1942-12-02

P/O Mejer posted from 58 O.T.U. Training as usual, including instrument flying on Master. In the morning, latest operational films shown, and in the afternoon, talk by I.O. to pilots on lighting dummy airfields. An English pilots tells of his escape from Germany.

1942-12-03

foggy all day, thus no flying possible. Pilots practice on Link trainer all day.

1942-12-04

Usual training flights in morning including instrument flying in Master. In afternoon pilots do dingy drill in local baths. Night flying cancelled, after preliminary first flight.

1942-12-05

Raining in morning, but clears later, and in the afternnon training programme continued. Three pilots sent on Air Sea Rescue duties.

1942-12-06

circus 241. Squadron make diversionary patrol over Ypres, while bombers go over Lille. Squadron took off at 10.20 and rendezvoused over Felixstowe. French coast was crossed at Dunkirk at 24,000’. Squadron warned of enemy a/c in vicinity, but nothing encountered. Squadron returned at 11.55. Three a/c detailed for Air Sea Rescue duties. In afternoon training programme resumed, and three pilots do instrument flying in Master.

1942-12-07

In morning whole squadron go to Tangmere, where they take part in defensive patrole. Five a/c patrol round about Selsey Bill, Isle of Wight, and Shoreham. Squadron returns to base in afternoon.

1942-12-08

Sgts Szczepankiewicz, and Stanski posted from 58 O.T.U. In morning training as usual, and four pilots do instrument flying in Master. In afternoon five pilots do dusk flying practise circuits, and landings.

1942-12-09

P/O Habela returns from discipline course at R.A.F. Cosford. F/L Kolacinski, Polish M.O. receives Polish promotion to the equivalent English rank of S/L. In morning two sections patrol Beachy Head, & Brighton.

1942-12-10

Ling Trainer practise in morning & afternoon. Training by flights, cloud flying, and cine camera gun attacks.

1942-12-11

Link Trainer practise morning, and afternoon. Training by 26 pilots in homing, and cloud flying. In late afternoon, five pilots do dusk flying.

1942-12-12

Circus 242. Offensive Sweep. Squadron start at 10.20, rendezvoused at Hastings, and proceded to France, crossing French coast between Le Treport, and Le Cayeux. Attack made at Abberville. On returning, after leaving Berek sur Mer, four FW.190a sighted to East, and Squadron turn after them. E/A made off in direction of France. Squadron landed at 11.55. Three a/c detailed for Air Sea Rescue duties. In afternoon, training flying as usual.

1942-12-13

Weather unfit for flying, thus Link trainer practise all day.

1942-12-14

Link Trainer practise all day. In afternoon, three a/c provided for Air Sea Rescue duties. Cloud flying, cine gun attacks, and instrument flying carried out all day.

1942-12-15

Link Trainer practise in morning, and afternnon. Cloud flying, cine camera gun attacks, and instrument flying training.

1942-12-16

Raining all day. Aircraft tested out. Link Trainer practise all day.

1942-12-17

Training flights as usual. Testing of A/C. In afternoon, I.O. gives talk to pilots on S.D. 158, lastest secret instructions. From today until 24th Squadron to put eight a/c at Night readiness.

1942-12-18

Unfit for flying. Link Trainer practise all day. Aircraft recognition practise.

1942-12-19

Another day unfit for flying. Tests for pilots on silhouettes, and S.D.185. Until futher notice 12 a/c to be at Night readiness. Night flying practice.

1942-12-20

Circus 244. 90 U.S.A. bombers over Romilley. 302 & 308 Squadrons with two Hornchurch Squadrons carry out diversionary patrol over Abberville. Start from Northolt 10.30. rendezvous made over Hastings. French coast crossed at Le Treport. Light flak encountered over Abbeville, and Calias. Although warning of enemy a/c given, none were seen. Squadron land at West Malling at 12.05. At 13.00 302, and 308 scramble at West malling, and protect return of bombers. No encounters, and Sdrn return to Northolt at 14.35. Night flying practise.

1942-12-21

In morning, training flying, consisting of low flying, formation flying, and cine camera gun attacks. In afternoon, talk by 11 Group Army liaison officer on co-operation between army & air force.

1942-12-22

In the morning a/c tests. In afternoon, another talk on co-operation of the army with the air force. I.O. gives talk to pilots on lighting of dummy airfields. five pilots do dusk flying, and seventeen carry out night flying practise from 19.40 to 23.59.

1942-12-23

P/O Hajduczek posted from 58 O.T.U. From 00.01 to 05.00 intensive night flying. 21 flights carried out. Heavy ground mist makes landings difficult. During day a/c tests carried out, and night flying resumed again at 20.25, nine pilots fly until mid-night.

1942-12-24

Night flying continued until 02.40 when again interrupted by heavy ground mist. Nine pilts fly. Weather unfit during day for flying. Squadron now operational by night, and henceforth six a/c to be at night readiness (30 mins) and eight during fighter nights. Xmas celebrations for all the Polish Squadron at Alexander Palace assisted by Polish President, a.M. Leigh Mallory, and A.O.C. 11 Group.

1942-12-25

Xmas day. No flying activities. Xmas dinners served in airmen’s mess by officers, and Senior M.C.Os. F/Sgt. Trybulec posted from 533 Night Squadron.

1943-12-26

F/O Pokropek posted to 302 Squadron. No flying activities. In evening Polish personnel from whole station give concert at Alexanedr Palace.

1942-12-27

Unfit for flying. Talk to pilots by S/L Szablonski of 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron, on co-operation between night fighters, and reflectors.

1942-12-28

F/O Ilinski postae to 58 O.t.U. Weather unfit for flying, and talk given to pilots by F/O Tyszka on his escape from enemy occupied territoryl. Link Trainer practise all day.

1942-12-29

Training flying as usual. Sleeve firing cancelled for “B” flight, instead of which they fire on sea. Night flying cancelled after preliminary test.

1942-12-30

Circus 243 carried out by 10 Group. 302 & 308 carry out diversion patrol over Cherbourg in morning. On e a/c detailed for A/S/R. Heavy flak over Cherbourg. No encounters, and squadron returned at 18.00. when six a/c called to 30 mins readiness.

1942-12-31

First layer of snow, which soon thawed. Flying as usual, including three a/c detailed for A/S/R. New Year Eve celebrations, at Alexander Palace, and Officers’ Mess.