Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-03-01

NORTHOLT

Rain and low clouds at 15.00. four a/c took off for Ranger operation. A/C landed at Friston and then at 15.35 took off again. They flew without ac incident to Paris. When they turned off on the course to base, they saw a FW 290. They immediately attacked him but but EA having much greater speed got away. On the pursuit they found themselves over Creil aerodrome. At the next moment they sow two F.W. 190’s which were coming from North. There wos a short fight 4-500ft. over aerodrome. In result one FW 190 was shot down by Sgt Rybczynski. Our A/C’s turned out and flew back to base. No A/C were damaged.

1944-03-02

NORTHOLT

Operation flight at 16.00 hrs. Duty – Close Escort to Marauders. Bombs were seen to burst in target area. Clouds of smoke rising to 12.000 feet. On the Amiens-Glisy aerodrome bombs were seen to burst in dispersal area and runways. Slight flak near Paris. Weather good. All A/C returned.

1944-03-03

NORTHOLT

Squadron flew as a escort cover to Marauders. The bombers attacked an aerodrome 40 miles NNE from Paris. Results very good. No E/A. Slight flak. All A/C returned.

1944-03-04

NORTHOLT

In the afternoon squadron did a Fighter Sweep. They patrolled the area south of Brussels at 23-28,000 feet. Huns didn’t take off. Heavy flak in Lille and Dunquerque area. Weather fair. All came back.

1944-03-05

NORTHOLT

Two A/C from our Squadron were on Air Sea Rescue duty. Weather good.

1944-03-06

NORTHOLT

Weather unserviceable. Nothing to report.

1944-03-07

NORTHOLT

Three A/C flew for Ranger Operation. They found the weather unsuitable and flew, first a long the French coast then back to base.

1944-03-08

NORTHOLT

Squadron flew on a week bombing course.

1944-03-09

NORTHOLT

Weather very good. We realise that Spitfire can also be a bomber. There is a lot of flying.

1944-03-10

NORTHOLT

We are firing to the ground, bombing and looking into sun (who have has time for that). At the evening we are going to a small Caffe outside the camp, for two egs and beacon. Someone says it is the fifth year of the war….

1944-03-11

NORTHOLT

Clouds and mist to the earth. Later ceiling 1,000 feet so we change bombing for air firing to the ground. It is awfull cold [met] and wet.

1944-03-12

NORTHOLT

Weather very changeable so according to that we change bombing for air to ground firing and vice versa.

1944-03-13

NORTHOLT

In the morning rain, mist and cold. In the afternoon clears up. Taking adventage of that we are continuing bombing.

1944-03-14

NORTHOLT

Morning again with rain and mist. In the afternoon we fly again. Two hours later the clouds close down and flying is cancelled.

1944-03-15

NORTHOLT

In the morning we fly back to Northolt. Without sorrow, though the country is beautifull.

1944-03-16

NORTHOLT

After weekly interval Squadron is coming back to Northolt and flys on operation. This time it is a withdraval cover to Fortresses (Close Escort). After Squadron met Fortresses and flew with them into the middle of the Chanel, they turned back and flew once more over France and then returned to base. There was no E/A and all came back.

1944-03-17

NORTHOLT

Operational Flight in the afternoon. Duty – Escort Cover to Mosquitos. There were only six a/c from “A” Flight which have been in reaginess. Guided by OPS Flight flew at high of 25,000 feet along French Coast, until they were recalled by OPS to base. Weather poor and misty at 4,000 feet above good.

1944-03-18

NORTHOLT

Weather unoperational. Sections are flying for training. At the evening four a/c flies on dusk flying. To-day S/Ldr Retinger took over Squadron from S/Ldr Zulikowski who has been posted to A.D.G.B.

1944-03-19

NORTHOLT

Weather again nonoperational. Nothing to report. Later on four a/c flying on training. Since to-day we have a new Flight Commanderin “A” Flight. He is F/Lt Bochniak S.

1944-03-20

NORTHOLT

With the time weather becoming fair and clear. Only low over the ground lies slight mist. Squadron flies on operation. Duty – Fighter Umbrella. Besides some slight flak in St. Omer and Aire area there is nothing worth mentioning.

1944-03-21

NORTHOLT

To-day we start w weekly exercise with the Army, as the Squadron which belongs to T.A.F.. Weather poor but we made one flight. F/O Dudek S. posted to No. 302 Squadron.

1944-03-22

NORTHOLT

Whole day long we are flying in co-operation with the Army. Bombing and straffing until late afternoon. At evening whole Squadron flies for dusk flying.

1944-03-23

NORTHOLT

The weather is rather unsuiteable but nverthereless we are flying in normal manner. Flying continuous until 20’clock when duty Control cancelles them owing to weather conditions.

1944-03-24

NORTHOLT

Morning completely in fog. In the afternoon becomes clear. Taking adventage of that we made some training flying.

1944-03-25

NORTHOLT

Weather u/s. There is no flying at all.

1944-03-26

NORTHOLT

The weather is getting fair and so we fly again. We made quite a few trips for bombing and straffing.

1944-03-27

NORTHOLT

Squadron took off before the sunrise. Later on weather becomes u/s and flying is cancelled.

1944-03-28

NORTHOLT

We finished yesterday the co-operation flying with the Army. It was the almost time, as those exercise, owing to rather few trips and bad weather, becamed rather borod. To-day there were only a/c tests.

1944-03-29

NORTHOLT

Heavy fog. No flying. We are preparing to leave the station.

1944-03-30

NORTHOLT

Weather quite good for training, and so Squadron flies in formation. F/Lt Najbicz posted to Delivery Flight, Croydon. On his place as a “B” Flight Commander came F/Lt Jeka J. (316 Sqdn).

1944-03-31

NORTHOLT

Fog in Northolt again. We are saying farevell to all friends and sweethearts.

[Illegible] F/L
Squadron Leader, Commanding.
308 Polish Squadron, R.A.F.,
NORTHOLT, MIDDX.