Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-02-01

SNAILWELL

F/O. BIALOSKORSKI (A.&.S.D) arrived on posting to Unit for Adjutant duties from No.303 Squadron.

1944-02-02

SNAILWELL

F/L. DOIG (A.&.S.D) returned to Unit on completion of No. 88 Senior Officers Course at R.A.F. School of Admin. Stannington.
G/C. BAJAN (A.D.G.B.) visited the Unit.

1944-02-03

SNAILWELL

All pilots assembled in the A.L. Lecture Room to hear a talk by SGT. RAGINIS, a Polish Air Force pilot, on his experiences in escaping from enemy territory.

1944-02-05

SNAILWELL

Re-arming of Squadron – First five Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from 143 Airfield, Ayr. F/L.
REMBOWSKI (G.D) proceeded to 1st Polish Armoured Division H.Q. MELROSE to gain experience of army organization.

1944-02-06

SNAILWELL

G/C. J. BAJAN (A.D.G.B.), G/C. SZUL (T.A.F.) and W/C. KOLACZKOWSKI (T.A.F.) visited the Unit on the occasion of the handing over of the Polish Air Force colours by the Unit to No. 315 (P) Squadron.
11.30
Holy Mass was held in the Main Hangar and all officers and airmen of No. 309 (P) Squadron and No. 3118 (P) Servicing Echelon attended.
12.00
All ranks were drawn up outside the hangar and the Colours handed by S/L. M. PIOTROWSKI (O.C. 309 Sqdn) to S/L. POPLAWSKI (O.C. 315 Sqdn).
12.10
The Escort with Colours took up position on the runway and the Squadron and Echelon marched past and paid compliments, G/C. BAJAN taking the salute.

1944-02-07

SNAILWELL

1 Sgt. Armourer of Aircraft Servicing Training Party (S.M.7) reported to Unit for instruction of personnel in armament of Hurricane IV aircraft.

1944-02-08

SNAILWELL

Re-arming of Squadron – Five Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from No.22 M.U.

1944-02-09

SNAILWELL

Re-arming of Squadron – Two Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from No. 22 M.U.

1944-02-11

SNAINWELL

Re-arming of Squadron – One Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from No. 22 M.U.

1944-02-12

SNAINWELL

Re-arming of Squadron – One Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from No. 22 M.U.
F/O. BEYER (G.D) proceeded on posting to No. 301 Squadron.
F/L. KRAKOWSKI (G.D) proceeded to H.Q. 1st Polish Armoured Division MELROSE on attachment to gain experience of army organisation.

1944-02-13

SNAILWELL

Re-arming of Squadron – One Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from No. 22 M.U.
CPT. ROLLESTON (A.L.O) proceeded to Victoria Barracks, BEVERLEY, Yorks. , as G3AIR Air Control on EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’.

1944-02-14

SNAILWELL

1 Sgt. Fitt. IIE, 1 Cpl. Fitt. IIA and 1 Cpl. Elect. I of Aircraft Servicing Training Party (S.M.7) reported to Unit to instruct personnel in maintenance of Hurricane IV aircraft.

1944-02-15

SNAILWELL

F/L. PISULINSKI (G.D) proceeded on posting to 41 O.T.U. for Flying Instruction duties.

1944-02-17

SNAILWELL

S/L. HAILSTONE from Air Ministry (S.M.7) visited 3118 Servicing Echelon and discussed progress of instruction of Squadron and Echelon personnel being given by Aircraft Servicing Party.
W.C. WILKOJC (GD)arrived from P.A.F. Staff College, PEEBLES, to study new methods of Air Reconnaissance.

1944-02-19

SNAILWELL

F/O. SAWICKI (GD) proceeded to 1st Polish Armoured Division H.Q. MELROSE on attachment to gain experience of army organisation.

1944-02-20

SNAILWELL

Re-armament of Squadron – Two Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from No. 22 M.U.
F/L. REMBOWSKI (G.D) returned to Unit on cessation of attachment to 1st Polish Armoured Division H.Q. MELROSE.

1944-02-21

SNAILWELL

Re-arming of Squadron – One Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from 143 Airfield, Ayr.
1 Sgt. Fitt. IIA of Aircraft Servicing Party (S.M.7) reported to Unit for instructional duties.
EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’ – Signal received from No. 12 Group detailing one flight of 309 (P) Squadron and ground personnel to take part in the exercise.

1944-02-22

SNAILWELL

EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’ – Aircraft and ground personnel moved off in accordance with 309 (P) Squadron Movement Order No. 7 attached.

1944-02-23

[SC]-ORTON

EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’ – The two opposing forces were ‘German’ and British’. British forces consisted of 2 Armoured Divisions and 1 Infantry Division and on the German side 1 Armoured Division and 1 Infantry Division supported by 2 Spitfire Squadrons, 1 Typhoon Squadron, 6 Beaufighters, 1 Mustang (Recce) Squadron and for the last 3 days 6 Hurricane IV (309 (P) Squadron).
14.32 EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’ – Six Hurricanes took off to attack guns moving on road SLEDMERE to road junction (1/4” Sheet 3 Ref. 4888). Over target 1453 hrs. Target attacked successfully and aircraft landed at base 1520 hrs. Attack made from 200ft. No enemy aircraft seen.
Weather – cloud base 1,000 ft. , visibility – good.
1630 Six Hurricanes took off to attack 10 heavy M.T. vehicles carrying pontoons on road “WEST LUTON” (1” Sheet 28 Ref. 407890). Over target 1655 hours. 100 vehicles seen on road. Target attacked successfully and aircraft landed at base 1717 hrs.

1944-02-24

[SC]-ORTON

EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’ – Four Hurricane (F/Os. KAMINSKI, JAREMA, CZERNI, and KARASZEWSKI) took off to attack M.T. vehicles at a place Ref. 4293 – 4393 (1/4” Sheet 3) with task to be over target at 1330 hrs. Target was not located and aircraft landed at base 1400 hrs.
Weather – cloudy 10/10ths, base 2,000 ft., visibility 6 miles, showery.
1600 Four Hurricanes ordered to attack bridging over River Derwent (1” Sheet 28 Ref. 424988) as soon as possible. Order cancelled at 1610 hours. Exercise concluded.
The Exercise had started on 14th February and as the Squadron was not called on to operate until the 23rd February was only able to carry out 3 offensive missions before the Exercise was concluded.
SNAILWELL
Re-arming of Squadron – One Hurricane IV aircraft arrived by air from No. 22 M.U.

1944-02-25

SNAILWELL

1630 Six Hurricane aircraft returned from R.A.F. Station SCORTON on conclusion of EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’.

1944-02-26

SNAILWELL

1720 Ground personnel returned by rail from R.A.F. Station SCORTON on conclusion of EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’

1944-02-27

SNAILWELL

W/C. WILKO[J]C (GD) eeased to be attached to Unit from P.A.F. Staff College.
CPT. ROLLESTON (A.L.O) returned to Unit from Beverly on cessation of EXERCISE ‘EAGLE’.

1944-02-28

SNAILWELL

F/O. MINISZEWSKI (G.D) proceeded to 1st Polish Armoured Division H.Q. MELROSE on attachment to gain experience in army organization.
S/L. M. PIOTROWSKI (G.D) proceeded to Polish Inspectorate General H.Q. LONDON on attachment to take Staff College entrance examination.

Squadron Leader,
Commanding, No. 309 (P) Squadron.