Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-03-01

SNAILWELL

S/L. M. PIOTROWSKI (GD) returned to Unit from Polish Inspectorate General H.Q. LONDON.
Flying training carried out.

1944-03-02

SNAILWELL

Flying training carried out.

1944-03-03

SNAILWELL

The Aircraft Servicing Training Party (S.M.7) left the unit on satisfactory completion of instruction of personnel in maintenance of Hurricane IV aircraft.

1944-03-04

SNAILWELL

1000 Flying Accident – F/L. Z.REMBOWSKI in Hurricane IV LE.749 when taxying to take up formation with other aircraft had occasion to brake on turning, and his aircraft tipped up on its nose, damaging the propeller. The pilot was unhurt. Crash signal sent and Form 765(C) action taken.
F/L. K. BAZARNIK (MED) proceeded on posting to D.P.L.G. for attachment to H.Q. 9th U.S.A.A.F.
F/O. Z. ZUBRZYCKI (MED) arrived on posting for medical duties from R.A.F. Station HUCKNALL.

1944-03-05

SNAILWELL

In accordance with instructions received from H.Q. No. 12 Group that a period of intensive training was to be carried out during the time in which the Squadron is non-operational and equipped with Hurricane IV aircraft, the attached Training Programme was compiled and issued to cover the training required.
Signal received from Air Officer Commanding, Headquarters No. 12 Group, congratulating all concerned on the 100% serviceability of the thirty-seven aircraft of the Squadron.

1944-03-06

SNAILWELL

Twelve pilots attended lectures on and practice with 40 m.m. cannon (duration three periods of one hour).

1944-03-07

SNAILWELL

Thirteen pilots attended lecture on bombs and their action (1 hour), bomb fuzes and their action (1 hour). Elmdon Bombing Range Orders and different kinds of bombing, and had practice in fitting bombs and installations for bombing in Hurricane IV aircraft.
LT. P.D. MITCHELL (Army) arrived from No. 12 I.T.C. CANTERBURY for Pre-A.L.O. Course.

1944-03-08

ELMDON

Bombing practice carried out all day on Elmdon Range. 12 sorties flown 96 bombs expended.

1944-03-09

SNAILWELL

Discussion held on the bombing results of the previous day (1hour). 15 pilots present.

1944-03-10

SNAILWELL

MJR. HURCZEWSKI A.L.O. left the Unit on posting to R.A.F. Station NORTHOLT.
CPT. ROLLESTON A.L.O. (British) left the Unit on posting to H.Q. 52 Division.
F/O. ADAMCZAK (GD) posted to No. 3118 Servicing Echelon for Controller duties at Sector-Digby.

1944-03-11

ELMDON

Bombing practice carried out on Elmdon Range during the morning (9 sorties).
SNAILWELL
F/O. S. DADEJ (GD) promoted to the rank of Fight Lieutenant w.e.f. 15.8.43.

1944-03-12

SNAILWELL

Flying training carried out.
CPT. SZELOCH A.L.O. proceeded to Highgate on course.

1944-03-13

SNAILWELL

Training in low navigation and formation flying carried out.
F/O. MNISZEWSKI (GD) returned to Unit on cessation of attachment to 1st Polish Armoured Division H.Q. MELROSE.
F/L. ANTOLAK (GD) and F/L. GALLER (GD) arrived from 41 O.T.U. on posting to Unit (supy) for flying duties.
Two aircraft carried out fuel consumption tests.

1944-03-14

SNAILWELL

Training in formation flying carried out.

1944-03-15

ELMDON

Bombing practice carried out all day one the Elmdon Range (25 sorties).

1944-03-16

SNAILWELL

Training in battle formation flying carried out.
Two aircraft carried out fuel consumption test with 2 x 250 G.P. bombs.

1944-03-17

SNAILWELL

Training in battle formation flying carried out.
Two aircraft carried out fuel consumption test with 2 x 500 G.P. bombs.
CPT. SZELOCH returned to unit from Highgate.

1944-03-18

SNAILWELL

Letter received [Illegible] from Officer Commanding, R.A.F. Station Snailwell, regarding the future role of the Squadron.
In view of the contents of the letter a further Training Programme was drawn up superseding
that shown as Appendix 12.
R.P. firing – 16 sorties with R.P. (25 lbs. concrete heads). Each aircraft fired 8 R.Ps. into the sea off Cromer.
Training in battle formation flying carried out.

1944-03-19

SNAILWELL

Training in battle formation flying carried out.
All Mustang now been despached to 22 M.U. (17 aircraft)
F/L. RITCHIE (Station Intelligence Officer) gave a talk to the pilots on the lay-out of a Sector and general working of the Control G.C.I. , C.H.L. , and R.O.C. , as an aid to inter caption of enemy aircraft.

1944-03-21

SNAILWELL

Information received that No. 309 (P) Squadron would be required to take part in an Army Exercise and would operate from DIGBY Airfield. A Movement Order was prepared.
Seventeen pilots visited R.A.F. Station COLTISHALL and were shown round the Operations Room in the morning, and in the afternoon visited the COLTICHALL G.C.I. , returning to SNAILWELL AT 1630 hours.

1944-03-22

SNAILWELL

1400 Thirteen aircraft and crews proceeded to DIGBY Airfield. For EXERCISE ‘TATLER’.
S/L. PIOTROWSKI (GD) temporarily handed over the command of the Squadron to F/L. GOLKO (GD).
F/O. CZERNI (GD) proceeded on attachment to A.F.V. School, Lulworth Camp, WAREHAM, Dorset, for A.F.V. Recognition Course.

1944-03-23

DIGBY

EXERCISE ‘TATLER’ – A small invasion exercise carried out in area east of MANSFIELD (Sheet 6, 4” Ref. 0578, 1278, 1671, 0273) with (“British”) 1 Armoured Division from 8th Corps supported by 2 Mustang aircraft of a Tac/R. Squadron from 2nd T.A.F. opposed to (“German”) 1 Infantry Battalion with anti-tank and A/A. support with 309 (P) Squadron 13 Hurricane aircraft for Air Support.
0945 The start of the Exercise was delayed and practice in formation flying was carried out until 1045 hours.
1605 Two aircraft (F/L. PIETRZYK and F/L. GALLER) carried out Recce. In area FARNSFIELD to CHECKERHOUSE. 4 Staff cars, column of infantry buses and 25 tanks and 4 pontoons on lorries seen and reported.
1615 Two aircraft (F/L. DADEJ and F/L. ANTOLAK) carried out Tac/R. from EARING to ECKINGTON. Convoy of 20 infantry buses seen moving South to MARKET WARSOP. Aircraft landed at 1655 hrs.
1620 One aircraft (F/O. SAWICKI) carried out Tac/R. WELLOW – WORKSOP – CUCNEY – BUDBY and WELLOW. Sortie unsuccessful owing to bad visibility. Aircraft landed at 1645 hours.
S/L. PIOTROWSKI (GD) proceeded to No. 300 Squadron [Illegible] to gain bomber unit experience prior to proceeded to Polish Staff College.

1944-03-24

DIGBY

EXERCISE ‘TATLER’. No flying owing to bad weather – mist, visibility 1000 yards.

1944-03-25

DIGBY

0700 EXERCISE ‘TATLER’. concluded and Squadron released. Aircraft returned to Snailwell Airfield at 1130 hours.

1944-03-26

SNAILWELL

Formation flying and interception practice carried out (16 aircraft).

1944-03-27

ELMDON

Dive bombing practice carried out by 13 aircraft on Elmdon Range.

1944-03-28

SNAILWELL

One aircraft carried out cross country flight.

1944-03-29

SNAILWELL

Low level formation and low navigation flying carried out by 10 aircraft. 4 aircraft carried out R.P. firing into sea (25 lbs practice heads).

1944-03-30

SNAILWELL

Ten aircraft carried out R.P firing into sea (60 lbs practice heads and 25 lbs practice heads). Low level navigation and interception practice carried out.
One aircraft on cross country flight.
F/O. MINISZEWSKI (GD) proceeded on attachment to R.A.F. Station BLACKPOOL to attended Air/Sea Rescue Course (14 days).

1944-03-31

ELMDON

Dive bombing practice carried out on Elmdon Range by sixteen aircraft.

SAINWELL
Low flying practice carried out.

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