Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

[Urgent: manuscript]

1941-03-01

Renfrew

Compassco and altimeters are being fitted in observers cockpits and a special modification has been devised by Westland [Illegible] this Squadron. Observers [Illegible] shortly be able to navigate aircraft and carry out all operational training with the exception of piloting the aircraft and photography.

1941-03-08

Renfrew

28 members of the an Cadets Corps from Glasgow commanded by S/Ldr. L. Cowan visited this Station and were [Illegible] round all the various sections. A flying demonstration was ananged and the Cadets expressed great interest and appreciation of everything shown o them.

1941-03-10

Renfrew

Short visit by an Marshal E.L. Gossage, K.B.E., A.O.C-in-C Balloon Command.

1941-03-13

Renfrew

At about 21.00 hrs a Red warning was received and shortly afterwards the first extension air raid on Clydebank, Renfrew and environs commenced. The attack was mainly directed against Clydebank (which is within about a mile of this Station). Anti-aircraft guns went into action including a naval gun of large calibre mounted on nearly railway lines. Many hundreds of incendiary bombs were stopped, zone of which fell on the aerodrome. These were quickly [Illegible] with by Officers- men of 309 Squadron who remained on duty until [Illegible] “all clear”. Approximately 50 H.E Bombs many of them dalayed action, wen dropped within a mile of the Station but none fell actually on [Illegible] Station. St. Tomas School, Renfrew in which were billeted 56 Polish airmen, was affected by blast. Hundreds of [Illegible] a some window frames were [Illegible] in and 3 Polish airmen were killed. The raid was at – [Illegible] height at midnight.

1941-03-14

Renfrew

04.00. The raid continued: a large oil fire on Clydeside emitted [Illegible] clouds of smoke and a [Illegible] red slow lit up that area.
05.45. “All clear” received.
20.30. Red Warning: a further attack on Clydeside developed. Many more H.E. bombs and several [Illegible] were dropped. Five of these latter were dropped on Renfrew. One landed on the ballon barrage site on the boundaries of – [Illegible] aerodrome and the resulting blast [Illegible] in 75 % of the windows of [Illegible] Officers Mess [Illegible] There were however, no casualties. [Illegible] found an Renfrew Golf Course measund 9’6” x 2’6”. Marines detonated this mine leaving a [Illegible] 45 ft. in diameter

1941-03-15

Renfrew

05.28. “All clear” received.
“A” Flight, i/e F/Lt. Egan-Wyer, left for Perth to carry out night flying and co-operation with the Polish Army. This is the first time a flight has been detached from this Squadron.

1941-03-16

Renfrew

Aircraft are now being modified with twin Browning Guns in the observers cockpit by Westland Aircraft Ltd. The first 3 Lysanders returned from the works at Doncaster having been modified. Arrangements are being made for every observer to have an early opportunity of firing these guns in flight. This modification appears to be a highly satisfactory addition to the armament of Lysander aircraft.

1941-03-17

Renfrew

Funeral today of the 3 Polish airmen, victims of the air raid on 13.3.41. W/Cdrs [Illegible] and Pistl with 15 Officers and 140 men (British and Polish) attended a short graveside service held by the Polish padre at [Illegible] Cemetery which is on a hill overlocking the aerodrome.
[Illegible] was learned today from the Town [Illegible] of Renfrew that the [Illegible] dropped in the recent raids [Illegible] are the [Illegible] yet used by the Luftwaffe. Royal Marines are at present working on a mine in Renfrew which measures 10’6” x 3’0”.

1941-03-20

Renfrew

Reports from Perth indicate that despite weather conditions and interruption of night flying [Illegible] the presence of enemy aircraft. “A” Flight are proceeding steadily with their programme of night flying and artillery co-operation.

1941-03-23

Renfrew
Visit of Air Vice Marschal H.M. Cave Brown [Caveth] C.B., D.S.O., D.F.C., who [Illegible] with W/Cdr. [Illegible] and inspected an aerodrome.

1941-03-30

Renfrew

“A” Flight, having completed their programme at Perth, returned here and resumed their training. All pilots of this flight are now trained in the preliminaries of artillery co-operation and night flying. Advance [Illegible] of “B” Flight (i/e F/Lt. Bundock) left for Perth to fulfil their programme of night flying and artillery co-operation as in the case of “A” Flight.

1941-03-31

Renfrew

Remainder of “B” Flight personnel proceeded to Perth.