Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-10-01

B-56, France.

Only one operation carried out during the day, a dive-bombing mission with enemy barges near Dordrecht as the target. One barge was seen bursting into flames. Very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire encountered.

1944-10-02

The Squadron dive-bombed and strafed enemy positions north of Antwerp. All bombs seen in the Target Area. Enemy opposition in form of flak quite heavy.
A goods train composed of the waggons provided a target on the second operation of the day, in which 8 a/c took part. The train was dive-bombed and strafed, the following claims being made: One locomotive destroyed, 10 goods waggons strafed.
A third mission of the day, again armed recce; - in the Middleburg-Veere region, on which enemy barges were spotted and attacked near Flushing in the face of strong enemy fire. No results observed.

1944-10-03

B-71. Antwerp.

The Squadron moved from B-56 to B-71. No operational flying carried out on this day.

1944-10-04

Nine a/c dive-bombed a group of barges, 4 of which were destroyed and others damaged. A warehouse was also attacked with unobserved results.

1944-10-05

A Flight of 6 a/c dive-bombed and strafed attacked a designated army with unobserved result.
Later on in the day the Squadron dive-bombed and strafed a concentration of enemy barges near Kratingchevar. Hits were observed in the target area, nine barges being claimed a damaged plus 3 ET left in flames on a nearby road, Intense flak.
A train carrying tanks provided target for the Squadron’s last mission of the day. However, this target was not located and bombs dropped on railway tracks near Utrecht. Light flak only.

1944-10-06

The Squadron is detailed to patrol the Rotterdam area and locate attack a 1,000 ton vessel said to be in the mentioned area. The vessel was not located and bombs were dropped on barges South of Rotterdam, the results being unobserved. Fairly intense flak encountered.
The Squadron took off again for Armed Recce patrol in the Breda-Tilburg area. One patrol bowzer was set on fire, two MET destroyed, as well as one motor-cycle destroyed and one damaged. Very intense flak from Tilburg.
One more armed recce patrol was carried out in the evening over Holland, during which 5 MET were destroyed, 4 damaged and two motor-cycles destroyed. The Squadron encountered very intense light flak.

1944-10-07

Ten a/c engaged on a dive-bombing mission in the Oastburg, obtained good results as all bombs were observed in target area. All kinds of accurate and intense flak.
Second mission of the day. The Squadron took off for dive-bombing in the Emerich-Osnabruck region where the presence of trains was reported. Two trains were attacked at Munster, the following claims being made: 2 locos. dest. 6 waggons dest. 1 bridge dest. 3 cuts in rail line. Only light flak encountered.
The Squadron was later dispatched to dive-bomb the rail bridge at Zwolle. The target itself was not hit, although some bombs were seen bursting on a nearby train. The opposition from ground defences was very heavy.

1944-10-08 – 1944-10-10

B-71. Antwerp.

No operation due to bad weather.

1944-10-11

B-61, Ghent.

The Squadron moves from B-71 to B-61, Ghent, and then takes off to bomb enemy positions at Bergen-up-Zoom. The target was hit, many bursts being observed, and was later strafed, which caused many fires. Fierce opposition was put up by ground defences.
Later in the day, the Squadron was dispatched to attack artillery positions 10 miles N.W. of Tilburg. Many hits were seen in the target area. Anti-aircraft positions were then attacked with cannon and m/g fire, and some of them destroyed. Flak was intense.

1944-10-12

The a/c dive bombed well-camouflaged enemy targets with good results. The objective was then strafed and fires strarted.
Later in the day, the Squadron dive bombed enemy gun positions North of Antwerp. All bombs in the Target Area, no flak seen.
The Squadron’s last mission of the day was a dive-bombing and strafing attack on enemy gun positions in the Gilze-Rijen area. Results not observed due to heavy enemy opposition from ground defences.

1944-10-13

Early in the morning the Squadron was again despatched to attack gun positions in the Gilze-Rijen area. Two direct hits from bombs were observed, and one vehicle put on fire. Flak fairly heavy.
Independent armed recce flights were carried out by sections of four a/c, the claim of the first three sections being as follows: 1 MET flamer, 1 barge destroyed, 1 staff car damaged. The same sections take off after refuelling, and attacked more enemy transport with the following results: 2 staff cars, flamers, 2 MET, flamers, 1 MET dest. On top of the above enemy positions and Flak positions were strafed with good results. Some oppositions for ground defences was encountered.
Twelve more a/c were sent out after refuelling on armed recce in the Dordrecht-Hertogenbosch area, all of which returned to base with the following bag: 2 tanks damaged, 1 MET flamer, 1 MET probably dest.
A section of 4 a/c carried out an uneventful patrol over Holland. Slight flak was encountered.

1944-10-14

The entire Squadron was dispatched to attack field gun positions near Hrigbergaie. Four direct hits were observed, the other bombs falling the the area. Barracks and neighbouring huts were strafed. No further operational flying that day.

1944-10-15

10 A/C were engaged on armed recce this morning, claiming the following results: 2 MET dest. 1 loco. Exploded, 18 goods waggons and ry station at Giesendan attacked, six waggons set on fire. 12 MET shop up by cannon and m/g fire. A goods train composed of 30-40 trucks was also attacked and halted. Light flak encountered.
Two sections of 5 a/c were later despatched on Armed Recce patrols in Dordrecht-Hertogenbosch and Breda-Wageninged areas. 3 MET were destroyed, 5 railway trucks set on fire, 15 other damaged. Light flak encountered. One of our a/c force-landed, one returned to base with fuselage shot up. Both pilots safe.

1944-10-16

Section of three a/c takes off on armed recce but returns in 15 minutes due to bad weather. Weather clears sufficiently in the afternoon to permit a section of 6 machines to take off at 15.50 hrs. and one of 5 a/c at 16.00 on armed recce in Holland. 22 250 lb. bombes were dropped on enemy concentrations near Rotterdam, and four barges and one MET were destroyed. Intense flak was encountered, and a number of Ships and barges were observed and reported.

1944-10-17

No flying today due to bad weather.

1944-10-18

The Squadron is dispatched by Flights to attack V2 installations near The Hague and barge concentrations near Rotterdam. Many hits were observed on the first target, the result of bombing of the second target being unobserved. Very intense flak on both targets.
Once more two sections of 5 a/c each are sent to attack V2 installations and barge concentrations. The V2 site was not located owing to poor visibility, but enemy strong points were attacked as an alternative. The Second section dive-bombing 8 barges near Dordrecht. Intense fire from ground defences.

1944-10-19 – 1944-10-20

No flying due to inclement weather.

1944-10-21

The Squadron was dispatched to attack gun and mortar positions, but the target was not attacked due to the absence of the pre-arranged signals from own troops. The bombs were dropped on other ground objectives.
The Squadron takes off on the same mission later in the day, and carries out the attack as planned. Gun positions were strafed by canon and m/g fire. No flak encountered.

1944-10-22 to 1944.10.27 incl.

No operations were carried out in that period due to bad weather.

1944-10-28

Weather improves, and Squadron takes off on Dive-bombing near Flushing. Four direct hits were observed on target. Very intense flak encountered but all a/c returned to base.
Squadron takes off once more later in the day for weather recce and the possible attack on enemy guns were seen to cease fire after our attack.

1944-10-29

The Squadron continues its attacks on gun positions near Flushing. Many hits were observed in the target area, and intense fire was encountered from ground batteries.
One more mission with the same objective was flown at 10.05 hrs. by the Squadron. Most of the bombs were seen bursting in the target area, and no opposition was encountered on this trip.
Later on , three independent sections of 3 a/c were dispatched on patrol of the Roosendaal area with half hour’s interval. 3 MET were set on fire, 3 damaged on this operation. Ships were observed and reported in the patrol area. Very intense fire was encountered and one of our a/c was shot down but the pilot is safe.
In the afternoon the Squadron was sent out to attack strong positions near Flushing. Most of the bombs were seen on the target, and a fort was set on fire and parts of it exploded. Slight opposition from the enemy.
As last mission of the day, the Squadron was instructed to attack enemy H.Q. at Knocke. This was carried out according to plan, some flak being encountered.

1944-10-30

Two sections of 4 a/c operated in the Dordrecht-Goringhem, dive bombing enemy targets and strafing MET. 1 MET is claimed as flamer, one m/g position as damaged. No further operations on that day due to bad weather.

[Illegible] S/Ldr
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
308 Polish Fighter Squadron,
Royal Air Force.