Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-11-01

SNAILWELL.

Six Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.

1943-11-02

SNAILWELL.

Four aircraft and pilots – F/L. LEWANDOWSKI, F/O. SAWICKI, F/O. BEYER AND F/O. ADAMCZAK detailed for Air-Sea Rescue Escort and proceeded to R.A.F. Station COLTISHALL at 1550 hours to stand by. Escort duty called off and three aircraft returned to base at 1725 hours. F/L. LEWANDOWSKI was forced to stay at COLTISHALL owing to his aircraft developing under carriage trouble.

BATTLE AREA THETFORD
“SHEET RAF. 76-1” 3211.

Exercise “BRIDOON”. Troops taking part – 4th Canadian Armoured Division. Air support was provided for the both sides – 1 Hurricane Squadron (ground attack) 1 Typhoon Squadron (bomber) and 1 Mustang Squadron (fighter reconnaissance) No. 309 (P) Squadron. Owing to adverse weather No. 26 Squadron (Mustang) was unable to reach Snailwell and No. 309 (P)Squadron provided Recce, for both sides, six aircraft being detailed for each side. MAJOR KURCZEWSKI acted as A.L.O. for North Land Section and CAPT. ROLLESTON for South Land Section.

SNAILWELL.

309 (P) Squadron carried out two recce. sorties for North Land, six recce. sorties and one ground attack sortie for South Land.

1943-11-03

SNAILWELL.

Exercise “BRIDOON”. 309 (P) Squadron carried out two recce. sorties for North Land and six recce. sorties for South Land. Many targets were found for the ground attack Squadrons through the recces. carried out by 309 (P) Squadron. Very little use of air support was made by North land Air Staff. Visibility was poor in the mornings of both days but pilots showed intelligence in reporting enemy movements.
13.05. F/L. LEWANDOWSKI returned from R.A.F. Station COLTISHALL by air.

1943-11-04

SNAILWELL.

Six Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.
1030. Orders received from H.Q. No. 12 Group for No. 309 (P) Squadron and No. 3118 (P) Servicing Echelon to move R.A.F. Airfield WELLINGORE (Satelite to R.C.A.F. Station DIGBY). Move to be completed by Saturday 6th November 1943.

1943-11-05

SNAILWELL.

Movement of 309 (P) Squadron and 3118 (P) Servicing Echelon. Movement Order attached.
0900. Advance party moved off.
1330. Road party moved off in convoy and all vehicles arrived at WELLINGORE at 1930 hours without mishap. Lack of road transport necessited 2 officers & 50 airmen to proceeded by rail on 6.11.43.
1500. F/L. LEWANDOWSKI in aircraft AM.195 took off for WELLINGORE and arrived at 1535 hours.

1943-11-06

WELLINGORE

All Squadron aircraft arrived from Snailwell by 1755 hours.
Move of 309 Squadron and 3118 (P) Servicing Echelon completed except for Rear Party left at Snailwell to clean and hand over all buildings. Rail party arrived LEADEMHAM station at 1042 hours and were conveyed to WELLINGORE by service transport arriving at 1130 hours.
F/L. DUDZIK (G.D) proceeded on posting do A.C.T.C. HUCKNALL.

1943-11-09

WELLINGORE

15.30. Move of Squadron. Rear party consisting of 1 W/O and 21 airmen arrived by road.

1943-11-11

WELLINGORE

Four Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.

1943-11-12

WELLINGORE

Eight Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.
When about 40 miles from British coast S/L. PIOTROWSKI in aircraft AM.211 experienced engine trouble, the engine suddenly vibrating and cut out. On the engine picking up he managed to climb to 800 feet but as the engine speed was falling he jettisoned the hood, released his harness and prepared to bale out. On the engine suddenly picking up again he climbed to 2,200 feet. The engine cut twice again and the aircraft lost height and speed but again recovered. He managed to reach the coast and was vectored to LUDHAM Airfield. Over the Airfield the engine again cut out but h managed to land without damage to the aircraft.
S/L. PIOTROWSKI was commended by G/C McNAB. Officer Commanding, R.C.A.F. Station DIGBY on bringing the aircraft back safely.
F/L. URBANSKI (A & S.D) arrived from R.A.F. Station SNAILWELL on posting to Unit supernumerary for Link Trainer Instructor duties.

1943-11-13

WELLINGORE

Eight Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.

1943-11-14

WELLINGORE

Weather – wintry. Snow feel for about one hour then cleared.

1943-11-15

WELLINGORE

F/L. GOLKO (G.D) proceeded on detachment to Polish Insp. Gen. H.Q. LONDON to attend TACTICAL COURSE (duration 21 days).

1943-11-17

WELLINGORE

Eight Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast two of which were unsuccessful.

1943-11-18

WELLINGORE

Four Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast.

1943-11-19

WELLINGORE

Four Shipping Recce. Sorties carried out along DUTCH coast two of which were unsuccessful.
The Echelon Specialist Officer reported that on inspection of aircraft Mustang AM.211 which forced landed owing to engine failure on 12.11.43 a thick black deposit was found on the sparking plug points and electrodes especially on the right bank of the engine and that after all plugs had been changed foe new ones of the same Mark the engine test proved satisfactory. As a result of the above report and constant engine trouble experienced by F/L. LEWKOWICZ and other pilots operations by Mustang aircraft of the Unit were suspended until engine troubles had been definitely identified and rectified.

1943-11-20

WELLINGORE

S/LDR. TILLMAN (Group Engineer Officer) accompanied by S/LDR. DURANT (Station Engineer Officer DIGBY) and MR. JOHNSON (Allison Engine American Representative) visited the Unit and conferred with S/L. PIOTROWSKI and the Echelon Engineer Officer regarding engine trouble experienced with Allison engines installed in Mustang aircraft and inspected aircraft on the ground. As a result of the conference it was decided that the cause of failure was lead forming on the plug points due to engines running at too low a temperature. Arrangements were made to secure blanking shields for the radiators, and tests to be carried out. H.Q. No. 12 Group to be constantly informed of the progress and results of test.

1943-11-21

WELLINGORE

F/L. SZYSZKO (G.D) proceeded on attachment to Polish Insp. Gen. H.Q. LONDON for TACTICAL COURSE.

1943-11-22

WELLINGORE

Orders received from H.Q. No. 12 Group that 309 (P) Squadron and 3118 (P) Servicing Echelon were to move from WELLINGORE to R.A.F. Station SNAILWELL. Move to be completed by 25th November, 1943.

1943-11-23

WELLINGORE

Move to Squadron and Echelon. Movement order attached.
09.30. Advance party proceeded to R.A.F. Station Snailwell.

1943-11-24

WELLINGORE

Movement of Squadron and Echelon.
10.15. Main Road party left for SNAILWELL in convoy and arrived without mishap at 1630 hours.

SNAILWELL

15.40. All Squadron aircraft arrived from R.A.F WELLINGORE. Move of Squadron and Echelon completed except for Rear Party left to clean and hand over all buildings which were occupied.

1943-11-26

SNAILWELL

Fourteen aircraft fitted with shields on front of radiator ready to tests.

1943-11-27

SNAILWELL

S/L TILLMAN (Group Engineer Officer) visited the Unit and discussed with S/L. PIOTROWSKI the progress of modifications to aircraft to overcome general engine trouble.
Aircraft test could not be carried out owing to low cloud.

1943-11-28

SNAILWELL

Eight aircraft fitted with radiator shields (local manufacture) were tested but results were not satisfactory.
Move of Squadron and Echelon. Rear party arrived from R.A.F. WELLINGORE.

1943-11-29

SNAILWELL

Six aircraft fitted with shields on rear of radiator were tested and oil and coolant temperatures were satisfactory but oil pressure was low.

1943-11-30

SNAILWELL

Eight aircraft tested with shields on rear of radiator with oil pressure raised and successful results were obtained.
Squadron reported fit for operations and A.O.C. No. 12 Group concurred.
F/L. WILCZYNSKI (A & S.D) proceeded on posting to No. 300 Squadron, Ingham.

[Illegible]
Squadron Leader,
Commanding, No. 309 (Polish) Squadron.