Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-10-01

SNAILWELL.

10.30. All available pilots attended a lecture on Shipping Recognition by Lieut. Cmdr. Clark in the Station Lecture Room.
Fighter training carried out.

1943-10-02

SNAILWELL.

F/Lt J. WILCZYNSKI (A & S.D.) re-posted to Unit supernumerary.
Fighter training carried out.

1943-10-03

SNAILWELL.

Orders received that 3 Mustang aircraft to be detached daily by air to R.A.F. Station Odiham for Allison engine modifications (work to take approximately three days for each aircraft).
Fighter training carried out.

1943-10-04

SNAILWELL.

Eight aircraft carried out Operation “DISTIL” in area North of TERSCHELLING. Two aircraft ordered to stand by at Snailwell Airfield for possible Air/Sea Rescue requirements.
F/O R. JAREMA acted as Polish Controller at R.A.F Station Coltishall.

1943-10-05

SNAILWELL.

All pilots were examined by F/L. T. ZELIGOWSKI in identification of aircraft from aircraft silhouettes. A few officers were slightly below the high standard required and were ordered to intensify their studies in preparation for another examination in the near future.

1943-10-06

SNAILWELL.

Eight Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.
A letter of thanks was received from the Secretary of the National Lifeboat Institution acknowledging a gift of £18.14.0 from the Commanding Officer and Officers of the Squadron.

1943-10-07

SNAILWELL.

Bomber affiliation carried out over Snailwell Airfield with two Stirling aircraft from R.A.F. Station Mildenhall. Two pairs of Mustang aircraft allotted to attack. One pair from 1030 hrs. to 1100 hrs. and one pair from 1100 hrs to 1130 hrs. One Stirling aircraft arrived late and over the wrong airfield (Newmarket instead of Snailwell). Results satisfactory.
14.00 Lecture to pilots on Air to Air aircraft recognition by a Polish fighter pilot (F/L. DYRGALA) from R.A.F. Farnborough.

1943-10-09

SNAILWELL.

Four Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.

1943-10-10

SNAILWELL.

F/L. J. SZYSZKO (GD) re-posted to Unit supernumerary.

1943-10-11

SNAILWELL.

GENERAL SOSNKOWSKI Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces visited R.A.F Station Snailwell to inspect No. 309 (P) Squadron and No. 3118 (P) Servicing Echelon.
13.50. GENERAL SOSNKOWSKI (accompanied by AIR VICE MARSHALL IZYCKI and GROUP CAPTAIN KWIECINSKI) arrived by car and was met at the main entrance to the Station by GROUP CAPTAIN McNAB representing the Air Officer Commanding No. 12 Group. WING COMMANDER F/L/ WHITE Station Commander and WING COMMANDER W.J. PIOTROWSKI Officer Commanding No. 309 (P) Squadron. A Guard of Honour with the Polish Colours and escort on the right flank paid compliments and was inspected by GENERAL SOSNKOWSKI.
14.00. Before launching in the Officers’ Mess all Officers assembled in the Mess anti-room and were introduced to the C-in-C by W/C W.J. PIOTROWSKI.
14.10. Lunch.
15.15. All ranks were drawn up on parade in line on the airfield and were inspected by the C-in-C. After exchange of greetings between the C-in-C and all ranks on parade the C-in-C decorated F/L. GNYS, F/L. LEWKOWICZ AND F/O. JAREMA with the KRZYZ WALECZNYCH (Cross of Bravery) for bravery in the air against the enemy. The C-in-C was then presented with the Squadron Badge by W/C W.J. PIOTROWSKI. After giving a short address to all ranks on parade, the C-in-C proceeded to the saluting base on the perimeter track near the Maintenance Hangar in readiness for the March Past by the personnel of the Squadron and Echelon which was carried out, headed by the Polish Colours and escort.
15.45. On conclusion of the March Past the C-in-C visited the Maintenance Hangar, inspected aircraft and conversed with several of the airmen working in this Section.
16.00. All Officers of the Squadron and Echelon were assembled in the A.L. Lecture Room and were addressed by the C-in-C on the future organisation of the Polish Air Force. Officers were invited to ask question and several availed themselves of this opportunity,
W/C. W.J. PIOTROWSKI then presented the C-in-C with as decorated album of photographs of past and present members of the Squadron.
17.00. The C-in-C then proceeded to A & B Flight Dispersal areas where he inspected the aircraft and talked to the personnel at work.
17.35. On arriving at the Officers’ Mess for tea the Guard of Honour with Polish Colours and Escort, which were drawn up adjacent to the Mess, again paid compliments to the C-in-C.
17.40. After tea in the Officers’ Mess the C-in-C departed for London.

1943-10-12

SNAILWELL.

W/C W.J. PIOTROWSKI re-posted to Unit supernumerary. S/L M. PIOTROWSKI re-posted to Unit for duty as Commanding Officer.

1943-10-14

SNAILWELL.

All ranks were formed up on parade and W/C. W.J. PIOTROWSKI formally handed over the command of No. 309 (P) Squadron to S/L. M. PIOTROWSKI.
Bomber affilliation carried out over Snailwell Airfield with four Stirling Aircraft from R.A.F. Station Mildenhall. Four Mustang aircraft took part.
Shipping Recce. Operations cancelled owing to poor visibility along DUTCH coast.

1943-10-16

SNAILWELL.

Eight Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.

1943-10-18

SNAILWELL.

Six Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast two of which were unsuccessful.
Two aircraft detailed to carry out Shipping Recce (area DEN HELDER – TERSCHELLING) aircraft AM.211 “B” (F/O. KRAKOWSKI, A) and AM.119 “H” (F/L. PIETRZYK, E.). Aircraft AM.119 “H” developed engine trouble and did not take off. Aircraft AM.211 “B” took off at 1150 hrs but was recalled when 40 miles from British coast and landed at 1305 hrs.
Operation cancelled.

1943-10-19

SNAILWELL.

F/L. PIETRZYK (GD ) proceeded to R.A.F. Station Hutton Cranswick for Air Firing Course.

1943-10-21

SNAILWELL.

Six Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.

1943-10-22

SNAILWELL.

Four Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.
F/L. GNYS (GD) proceeded on posting to No. 18(P) F.Wing H.Q.
CPT. MARSCHLEWSKI (A.L. Section) ceased to be attached on proceeding for duty with the 1st Polish Grenadier Division.

1943-10-24

SNAILWELL.

Six Shipping Recce. sorties carried out along DUTCH coast. F/O PAJEWSKI in aircraft AP.240 “G” proceeded to Coltishall Airfield as ‘Check” Patrol.
F/L. PIETRZYK (GD) returned to Unit from R.A.F. Station Hutton Cranswick.

1943-10-25

SNAILWELL.

Eight aircraft and pilots standing by for operations from 0500 hrs. Released at 1500 hrs. No flying owing to fog.

1943-10-26

SNAILWELL.

Eight aircraft and pilots standing by for operations.
No flying owing to fog.

1943-10-27

SNAILWELL.

F/L. T. ZELIGOWSKI (GD) posted to Unit from Polish Inspectorate General H.Q. for Intelligence duties.
Fog persisted during the morning but cleared after noon.

1943-10-28

SNAILWELL.

No flying owing to fog.

1943-10-29

SNAILWELL.

F/O. K. ROGOWSKI (A & S.D.) posted to No. 3118 (P) Servicing Echelon Snailwell.
No flying owing to fog.

[Illegible]
Squadron leader.
Commanding. No. 309 (P) Squadron,
R.A.F. Station. Snailwell.