Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-02-01

Northolt

F/Lt. Kolacinski detached to Air Crew Medical Board at Edinburgh for work at Polish Hospital. Squadron return to Northolt from Martlesham. In the afternoon 2 sections take part in interception exercise. Whole squadron at Roadstead readiness just before dusk.

1943-02-02

Circus 257, protecting twelve Venturas near Bruges. Squadron took off at 09.00 hours and returned 11.05 hours. Three aircraft detailed for Air Sea Rescue. Rendezvous was made over Clacton and the Belgian Coast was crossed near Ostend at 10,000’ to 12,000’. On the way back slight flak was encountered over Knock but no enemy aircraft were seen.

1943-02-03

P/O’s Marchall and Mickiewicz detached to Officer’s School Cosford. Circus 258 – escorting bombers over Courtrai. Squadron took off at 09.55 hours and landed at 11.45 to 12.25 hours. Rendezvous was made with the bombers and Hornchurch wing over Bradwell Bay. Over the Belgian Coast it was completely clouded over at 6-9,000’so that the bombers were unable to drop their load. They made a turn to the right – Hornchurch was then behind with 308 Squadron above covering the bombers. A number of Focke-Wolf’s were then seen approaching the bombers from left, and at 2 – 3,000’ higher up two Focke-Wolf’s were seen approaching the bombers from the rear and below. F/Lt. Koc and F/O Wiejski make for this section who turned in a dive. Nothing further was seen of F/Lt. Koc and F/O Wiejski. A general mess up takes place on the arrival of more F.W’s now numbering about 30 in all. Each pilot is attacked by two or three F.W’s but manages to shake them off and maintain contact with the bombers. Some F.W.’s keep up the chase almost to the English Coast. Pilots return to Northolt in one’s and twO’s after landing and re-fuelling at other aerodromes on the way. F/Lt. Koc, F/O Wiejski, F/O Zbierzchowski and F/Sgt. Okroj fail to return. S/Ldr. Zak claims one F.W. probably destroyed.

1943-02-04

In view of four pilots missing from previous day P/O Marschall’s detachment to Cosford is cancelled. In the morning the Squadron is brought to readiness, and in the afternood carry out Sleeve Target firing.

1943-02-05

In the morning, the Squadron is brought to readiness. The weather is unfit for flying as it is very hazy and later turns to rain. In the afternoon, pilots carry out Link Trainer practise.

1943-02-06

Squadron carry out training flights all day including flight formation flying, cine combat films and sleeve firing practise. Five aircraft carry out dusk flying.

1943-02-07

F/Lt. Glowacki is posted from 303 Squadron and takes over the command of “A” Flight. At midday eleven aircraft set out to escort the train carrying Winston Churchill from Reading to Paddington on his return from Africa. In the afternoon, the Squadron carry out the usual training exercises and four pilots carry out dusk flying.

1943-02-08

In the morning, the Squadron is brought to Roadstead readiness. Two aircraft carry out sleeve firing practise.

1943-02-09

In the morning, one Flight is brought to readiness and one to 15 minutes. one Section is ordered to Scramble and patrol base. Weather is unfit for flying.

1943-02-10

In the morning, Squadron formation flying and cine combat practise is carried out. In the afternoon no flying is carries out owing to rain. Sgt. Herbst is commissioned.

1943-02-11

In the morning, “A” Flight practise operational formation flying and dog fights. In the afternoon, the squadron is detailed for two defensive patrols in the Ashford – Dungeness-Turnbridge Wells area. Sleeve Target firing carried out by one aircraft.

1943-02-12

S/Ldr. Zak is posted to Polish Inspectorate General and S/Ldr Kornicki is posted from 315 Squadron as C.O. In the morning, Squadron is brought to Roadstead readiness for 09.00 hours and later this is reduced to 30 minutes. “A” Flight carry out dog fights and “B” Flight do formation flying and cine combat. In the afternoon, Squadron is once again brought to readiness.

1943-02-13

W.O. Majchrzyk is posted to No. 1 P.D.C., West Kirby/prior to going overseas with a number of Polish pilots. Squadron is on readiness until 15.30 hours. Four pilots carry out sleeve firing practise. Squadron on parade at 15.00 hours for the handing over of the Squadron by S/Ldr. Zak to S/Ldr. Kornicki.

1943-02-14

Training flights all day including, formation flying, dog fights, cross country flights and low flying. One section attack ground targets. Four pilots carry out dusk flying.

1943-02-15

Circus 266. 303 and 308 Squadrons protect 12 Venturas bombers over target area at Dunkirk (some ships lying in the harbor). Start at 13.05 hours and land at 14.50 hours. The English coast was crossed on the way out at North Foreland and the French coast crossed at 15 -16,000’ at a point west of Dunkirk. Fairly heavy ack-ack was encountered when the bombs were being released. On the way back. While over Channel, Ops. Give warning that two groups of Focke-Wolf’s are approaching from the reara at a height of 21,000’. Another swuadron, acting as top cover turn to the attack and are joined by two sections of 308 Squadron. W.O. Piatkowski claims one F.W. probably destroyed and F/O Zuromski damages another. F/O Zuromski lands and re-fuells at Rochester, causing some consternation at the base when is considered missing.

1943-02-16

In the morning, “A” Flight carry out operational formation flying and cine camera combat. “B” Flight carry put sleeve target firing and sea firing. In the afternoon, one Flight is put on readiness and the other is put on 15 minutes. “B” Flight is brought to night readiness and night flying practise is carried out by 15 pilots.

1943-02-17

F/O Retinger posted to 303 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In the morning, one flight is brought to readiness. In the afternoon, 11 aircraft practise operational formation flying. 8 aircraft on night readness.

1943-02-18

Owing to bad weather Circus 270 is cancelled just after the aircraft had taken off. 8 pilots are brought to night readiness.

1943-02-19

Training flights carried out as usual including Squadron formation flying. 8 aircraft at night readiness.

1943-02-20

Sgt. Funkiewicz posted to P.T.T.S. Halton and F/sgt/Hobot and Sgt. Szuwalski/detached for refresher course for mechanics. In the afternoon. One Flight is brought to readiness and the other at 30 minutes. 8 aircraft are brought to night readiness. Standard of Polish ir Force is handed over to 308 Squadron for a period of 2 months, and a delegation is sent to 307 Squadron Exeter, for the purpose of collecting same.

1943-02-21

In the morning, pilots lectured on the activities of intruders and I section is held at readiness. In the afternoon, link trainer practise is carried out and 8 pilots are held to night readiness. Great sensation caused in the Squadron by the return of F/Lt. Koc who was reported on the 3rd of the month, but as yet the details of his escape are an official secret. News of his return caused queer reactions. Those who saw him without hearing the news of his return thought that they themselves had been killed and had met F/Lt. Koc in heaven. Optimists? Those who were told the news, thought that it was a joke in rather bad taste and this led almost to quarrels. Everything was soon smoothed over and F/LT’s Koc’s health was drunk in wine which he had brought over – some people even had a banana.

1943-02-22

Weather unfit for flying and in the morning the pilots practise rifle firing on the range. In the afternoon, the pilots attend a lecture on air-firing given by C/Ldr. Zurakowski. 8 aircraft are brought to night readiness.

1943-02-23

F/O Zuromski and his dog are posted to No. 66 Squadron. Weather unfit for flying and pilots do clay pigeon shooting and tommy-gun practise. In the morning, the Standard of the Polish Air Force, carried by 308 Squadron, is paraded before the Wing and then the whole Wing marches past.

1943-02-24

In the morning, the latest tactical instructions are read to the pilots. In the afternoon, one flight is in readiness and the other is put on 15 minutes. At 17.15 hours the whole Squadron is put on Roadstead readiness. The usual training flights are carried out during the day.

1943-02-25

In the morning, the weather is unfit for flying but in the afternoon, the Squadron carry out formation and aerobatics.

1943-02-26

In the morning the Squadron is engaged in Circus 274 – escorting Venturas over Dunkirk. The bombers return without dropping their load and no incidents occur. Dinghy Drill is carried out by the remaining pilots. In the afternoon, Circus 274 is again carried out and this time the bombers release their load. Slight flak is experienced over the target but no enemy aircraft are observed and the Squadron returned without incident. Formation flying is carried out by the remainder of the Squadron. P/O’s Marecki and Ozieblo are granted the Polish rank of 2nd Lt.

1943-02-27

In the morning S/Ldr Kornicki is admitted Hillingdon Hospital and posted non-effective to R.A.F. Station, Northolt. In the afternoon, the Squadron is detailed as Roadstead, escort cover to Venturas over Dunkirk. They set off with 303 Squadron and experience considerable flak over the target but return without incident. One pilot is detailed for Air Sea Rescue and the usual trainign flights are carried out by the remainder of the Squadron.

1943-02-28

Weather is hazy in the morning and no flying is carried out. Later however. The haze lifts and in the afternoon, squadron formation flying is carried out, including formation in sections of threes. Two pilots carryb out air to air firing and two, G.C.I. interception exercises. One pilot practises low flying.