Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-01-01

Unfit for flying – misty, turning to rain. Link Trainer practice all day.

1943-01-02

From 09.30 to 16.50, Section carry out patrols from Beachy Head to Shoreham – no encounters Training exercises include oine combat attacks. 4 pilots carry out dusk flying.

1943-01-03

Circus 247. 302 and 308 Squadrons together with Kenley Wing detailed to protect bombers over Cherbourg. Start 09.15 – return 11.00. Rendezvous at Heston and Selsey Bill. On the way out Ops. advise that bombers would not turn up, so the two wings make for Cherbourg without bombers. French coast crossed at 16,000 an sweep made to Cap and La Hague and then return to base. P. M. 3 aircraft provided for air sea rescue when 306 and 315 Squadrons carry out sweeps. Usual training.

1943-01-04

Usual training flights – testing out 2 machines. Link Trainer practice.

1943-01-05

Unfit for flying. Hazy. Link Trainer and aircraft recognition practice.

1943-01-06

Unfit for flying. A. M. talk to pilots on night flying and co-operation with reflectors. In the afternoon another talk to pilots on the comparison of English and German systems of radio location. Link Trainer practice. Pilot Officers Madej and Mach detached to osford for discip. course.

1943-01-07

Flight Lieutenants Koc and Ostaszewski detached to Polish Inspectorate for Polish Admin course. Weather unfit for flying
Link trainer practice.

1943-01-08

F/Sgts.Gerwatowski and Ostuszowski detached to Halton on 6 weeks course. In the Afternoon the whole Squadron take part in practice interception over London. Dinghy drill in local baths and link trainer practice.

1943-01-09

Circus 248. Protecting bombers over Abbeville. Start at 12.30 and return at 14.00. after rendezvous, squadron approach French coast in low formation. Just before reaching coast the bombers turn back owing to cloud and low circling. Group report that Squadron is to go to Martlesham for 2 weeks air firing practice.

1943-01-10

Unfit for flying. Squadron prepare for taking off for Martlesham.

1943-01-11

main party move off to Martlesham but owing to bad state of aerodrome at Martlesham aircraft do not take off.

1943-01-12

Sgt Hauser reports from 58 O. T. U. Flight to Martlesham postponed because of bad weather. Pilots practice rifle firing in the morning and in the afternoon do aircraft recognition and Link Trainer practice.

1943-01-13

Circus 249. Protecting bombers over Abbeville – start 12.35 and return at 14.10. Rendezvoused at Beachyhead. French coast crossed at Le Crotoy at a height of 13,000. Light flak experienced. No encounters. Sgt. Korwel got out of formation and returns alone. On the way back flying low he shoots up a train. Three a/c provided for air/sea rescue. F/Sgt Piatkowski promoted to W. O.

1943-01-14

in the morning pilots practice firing with tommy gun, and revolver. In the afternoon training flights formation flying and cine camera attacks – link trainer.

1943-01-15

Sgt. Marecki re-posted to squadron as P/O. in the morning squadron from 08.14 during which four sections are called to patrol Hastings-Dungeness-Beachy Head. No encounters.

1943-01-16

Squadron still waiting to take off for Martlesham Heath. Link trainer practice.

1943-01-17

10.30 Squadron take off for Martlesham.

1943-01-18

Cpl. Ozieblo appointed to P/O in Tech. Branch. At Martlesham pilots informed of regulations in respect to air firing. 17 pilots carry out air-firing. 18.15. 8 pilots called to night readiness. Night flying carried out by 8 pilots.

1943-01-19

At Martlesham unfit for flying. Clay pigeon shooting, and showing of combat films in the morning. 17.15. 8 a/c brought to readiness. 21.30. state changes to one hour.

1943-01-20

At Martlesham 39 pilots carry out air fining. 8 pilots called to night readiness at 17.15 and brought to 30 minuts at 20.00, and at mid-night to 1 hour.

1943-01-21

At Martlesham 33 pilots carry out air firing during the morning. In the afternoon showing of film on firing at sleeve target. 18.15. 8 pilots brought to readiness, nd then to 30 minutes.

1943-01-22

At Martlesham. In the morning air firing for 18 pilots. In the afternoon, squadron at readiness from 13.30 to 16.30. 8 pilots at night readiness.

1943-01-23

Weather unfit for flying in the morning. Showing of films. In the afternoon 14 a/c start off for cine-camera combatattacks. 8 pilots at night readiness, which is later, reduced to 30 minutes.
1943-01-24
Weather unit for flying owing to fog. Night readiness as usual at 17.25 for 8 a/c. Later changes to 30 minuts and then to 1 hour.

1943-01-25

Rain again. No flying. Clay pigeon shooting, and sh owing of cine camera gun films.

1943-01-26

Air firing starts at 13.00. 21 pilots take part.

1943-01-27

Air firing commences at 11.00. 24 flights carried out up to 15.00. when flying is called off owing to deterioration of weather.

1943-01-28

Unfit for flying. Clay pigeon shooting, and showing of films.

1943-01-29

Air firing all day. 44 flights carried out.

1943-01-30

Air firing postponed after two flights in the morning owing to bad conditions. Formation flying in the afternoon.

1943-01-31

Unfit for flying. Squadron prepare for return to Northolt.