Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-04-01

R.A.F Northolt

Weather unsuitable for flying. “A” Flight in readiness. At evening squadron took off for a now aerodrome A.L.G. Deanland. Arriving there 11 are very busy with our tents.

1944-04-02

A.L.G. Deanland

After 11 night raining the aerodrome is unserviceable. Cold and wet weather.

1944-04-03

It is a mist cold morning. In the afternoon it clears up and the squadron took off for training flight. Altough the aerodrome is is in bad condition there was no accident and landed [safely].

1944-04-04

The weather is very poor to-day and no flying at all.

1944-04-05

Raining, raining, and raining.

1944-04-06

Squadron still grounded by weather conditions.

1944-04-07

The weather clears up in the morning. In the afternoon 4 aircraft took off for a “Ranger” operation. After 55 minutes due to bad weather conditions had to come back. 2 aircrafts from “B” Flight went on Air Sea Rescue. With training flying we finished the to-day’s work.

1944-04-08

At 15.45 squadron took off for “Ramrod” operation as a Withdrawal Support . for Marauders. Due to weather conditions squadron lost contact with the formation. No E/A met. Weather from 7 – 10 clouds. 1 A/C took off for Air Sea Rescue.

1944-04-09

The weather changed again and there is no flying.

1944-04-10

Still the same weather. All day raining.

1944-04-11

In the morning at 09.10 for an operational flight as a high cover to Marauders. No enemy A/C seen. Moderate heavy flak from Neuport. After the operation squadron landed at Bradwell Bay. After refueling squadron returned to base. In the afternoon squadron took off for a training flight a Wing Formation. Weather good.

1944-04-12

In the afternoon squadron took off for another operation. This time squadron flew as a Close escort to Marauders which attached aerodrome S.W. of Bruges. No enemy aircraft seen.
2 A/C went for Air Sea Rescue.

1944-04-13

At 08.25 Squadron took off again for Withdrawal Support as a Fighter Umbrella to Marauders. They bombed Namur and Nivelles. Results were very good. [Huge] columns of smoke have been observed.

1944-04-14

Weather very poor. There was no operational flying to-day. 2 A/C took off for air test.

1944-04-15

4 aircrafts took off for a “Ranger” operation. One A/C shot up a flk tower 2 miles N.W. of Quitteboend and there a/c shot up army huts. All A/C returned safely. 2 A/C from our squadron took off for Air Sea Rescue.

1944-04-16

Due to bad weather conditions there was no flying.

1944-04-17

Weather without change. All day raining.

1944-04-18

In the morning weather still poor. In the afternoon squadron took off for “Ramrod” operation as a Fighter Umbrella to Marauders. Very accurate and heavy flak at the Bombers observed. 1 parachute and 4 Marauders seen in the sea about 2 – 3 miles off Dunkirque. No E/A. Weather and visibility good. Two of our A/C landed at Manston, owing to engine troubles. 2 A/C were on Air Sea Rescue. F/Lt Dolicher posted from 316 Squadron.

1944-04-19

At 11.50 Squadron took off for Fighter Umbrella to Marauders which bomber targets in France. Operational uneventful;. 2 A/C took off for Air Sea Rescue. In the afternoon at 18.15 Squadron took off again as Close Escort to Marauders. On the route to target haevy and accurate flak. Weather good. Shortly afterwards two aircrafts went for Air Sea Rescue.

1944-04-20

For three days our Squadron was attached to R.A.F. Southend for dive bombing practise.

1944-04-21

From the morning till late afternoon squadron is busy with bombing and straffing on practise ranges. At 18.15 we are taking off for Deanland.

1944-04-22

For the first time Squadron took off with 500 pounds bombs for Dive Bombing, to bomb Noball Targets in France. Pilots also attached with canons and guns. Bombs were seen to burst in target area and bridge N. of target was hit,. Two pilots from our Squadron took off for Air Sea Rescue. All aircraft returned to base.

1944-04-23

There were two operations to-day. In the mornings as a Fighter Umbrella to Marauders. The target for to-day was railway junction. One Marauder has been shot down by flak. One parachute has been seen to open. In the afternoon squadron took off for an Operation “Ramrod”, for a withdrawal support and target cover to Marauders. No sign of enemy aircraft.

1944-04-24

Squadron took off for a close escort to 36 Bostons at 15.00. Operation abandoned 10 miles off English coast due to bad weather conditions. Bombs were seen to burst in the sea. Also one A/C from our squadron was on Air Sea Rescue.

1944-04-25

At 08.15 Squadron took off for dive bombing and as an escort to Marauders. Bombs were seen to burst in target area. Intense accurate light flak. Bombers did not follow route. Past target 10 miles N.W. In the afternoon again had another dive bombing, but only one A/C bombed the target owing to weather conditions. The rest dropped the bombs into the sea.

1944-04-26

Squadron send six sections of two A/C each for patrol over sea. The line A-R. No enemy A/C send and all aircrafts returned to base.

1944-04-27

At 08.00 our squadron took off to Manston where from they took part as an escort to Bostons. They bombed railway junction. One a/c returned from Manston owing to engine troubles. In the afternoon Squadron took off at 17.30 for Close Escort to Marauders. They met the bombers in mid-channel, flew towards France crossing the French coast S.W. of dieppe, then turned back and flew nearly to English coast where more Marauders were not and then bombers flew again. Towards France. This was repeated three times. When E. of Amiens the squadron withdraw and returned to base. Weather: over France mist up to 3.000 feet.

1944-04-28

CHAILEY

Two a/c took off for Air Sea Rescue.

1944-04-29

Squadron went for close escort to Marauders. Operation was abandoned over France. All aircraft returned to base. Two pilots took off for Air Sea Rescue.

1944-04-30

CHAILEY

To-day squadron took part in two operations. In the morning at 10.25 for dive bombing targets in France Noball Targets. Nine bombs were seen in target area. Two pilots straffed N.W. of target with cannons and guns. Met heavy and light flak to and from target. All A/C returned to base, In the afternoon squadron took off for close escort to 72 Bostons which bombed Bausigny. Operational uneventful. Met light acourete flak from Dixmude. One aircraft took off for Air Sea Rescue.

[Illegible] F/L
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
308 Polish Fighter Squadron,
ROYAL AIR FORCE.