Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-04-01

SNAILWELL

S/L. PIOTROWSKI (GD) returned to Unit on cessation of temporary duty with 300 Squadron, and prior to posting to D.P.I.G. BLACKPOOL, handed over the command of No. 309 (P) Squadron to F/L. COLKO (GD).
F/L. GOLKO (GD) proceeded to Polish Heart, Belgrave Square, LONDON to attended two day conference.
F/O. MINISZEWSKI (GD) proceeded on Air Sea Rescue course at BLACKPOOL.
Training:- Low flying 2 sorties, Formation flying 14 sorties, Bomber affiliation 1 sortie.

1944-04-02

SNAILWELL

S/L. PIOTROWSKI (GD) posted to D.P.I.G. for course at Polish Air Force Staff College.
F/L. GOLKO (GD) granted the acting rank of Squadron Leader and re-posted to unit as Officer Commanding.
F/L. LEWANDOWSKI (GD) re-posted within the unit as Flight Commander.
Training:- Low flying 5 sorties, Formation flying 7 sorties, Low navigation 1 sortie, Low rendezvous 7 sorties.
13.55 Station Defence Exercise:- “Action Stations” were orderedby Tannoy. All posts manned and fighting flights in position by 14.05 hrs. The appearance of the enemy was discovered without delay and Section Commanders were kept informed and given instructions for re-inforcing the threatened area. It was considered that the enemy were successfully repulsed although the position was difficult to assess owing to the lack of umpires.
LT. MITCHELL received superficial wounds round the left eye from a burst of blank fired by an attacking airmen at close range.

1944-04-03

SNAILWELL

LT. MASKELL from 144 Royal Armoured corps, Fornham Camp, Bury St. Edmunds, visited the Unit to exchange information with A.L.O. on tank busting methods.
Training:- Low level rendezvous 6 sorties, Battle formation 7 sorties, Low level navigation2 sorties.

1944-04-04

SNAILWELL

Training:- Cloud flying 4 sorties, Battle formation 4 sorties, Interception 4 sorties, Low level navigation 2 sorties, Low flying 3 sorties, Dusk flying (circuits and landings) 4 aircraft.

1944-04-05

SNAILWELL

Training:- Battle formation 4 sorties, Low formation 6 sorties, Low flying 1 sortie, Formation flying 6 sorties.
Re-arming of Squadron:- Four Hurricane IIC aircraft arrived from No. 22 M.U.
11.30 Flying Accident:- F/L. LEWKOWICZ in Hurricane IV LE. 509 when carrying out low level flying practice flew into high tension cables damaging his port wing, propeller and engine, but managed to reach Snailwell Airfield and landed without further damage. Casualty signal sent and Form 765C action taken.

1944-04-06

SNAILWELL

Training:- Formation flying 11 sorties, Low navigation 1 sortie.
Re-arming of Squadron:- One Hurricane IIC aircraft arrived from No. 22 M.U.
F/O. CZERNI (GD) returned to Unit on completion of Armoured Fighting Vehicle Recognition Course.

1944-04-07

SNAILWELL

Training:- Battle formation 5 sorties, Cloud flying 6 sorties, Bombing on Range – low level (10 lbs. smoke bombs) 20 sorties, Dusk flying (circuits and landings) 3 aircraft.

1944-04-08

SNAILWELL

Training:- Formation flying 9 sorties, Interception 4 sorties, High formation 4 sorties, Navigation 1 sortie, Low level navigation 1 sortie, Dusk flying (circuits and landings) 4 aircraft.

1944-04-09

SNAILWELL

Re-arming of Squadron:- 6 Hurricane IIC aircraft arrived from No. 22 M.U.

1944-04-10

Training:- Dive bombing on range (10 lbs. smoke bombs) 13 sorties, Formation flying 9 sorties, High altitude 1 sortie, Dusk flying ( circuits and landing) 5 aircraft, Night Flying (cross country) 3 aircraft.
Re-arming of Squadron:- One Hurricane IIC arrived from No. 22 M.U.

1944-04-11

SNAILWELL

Training:- Formation flying 12 sorties, Aerobatics 1 a/c.
Re-arming of Squadron:- Four Hurricane IIC aircraft arrived from No. 22 M.U.

YORMOUTH

14.30 S/L. GOLKO in Hurricane IV aircraft took part in a demonstration of various operational aircraft types to Coastal Forces, to provide instruction in aircraft recognition for Naval personnel.

SNAILWELL

F/O. URBAN (GD) proceeded on posting to 8 O.T.U. DYCE.
F/O. MINISZEWSKI returned to Unit on completion of Air Sea Rescue Course.

1944-04-12

SNAILWELL

Training:- Battle formation 4 sorties, Formation flying 8 sorties, Low level 2 sorties.

DREM

F/LT. PIETRZYK in Hurricane IV aircraft attended a demonstration of standard types of R.A.F. aircraft for the benefit of 45 officers of the Polish Army Staff College in Scotland.

SNAILWEEL

F/L. LEWKOWICZ (GD) appointed to the rank of Action Squadron Leader on posting to D.P.I.G. under instruction Air Staff at Polish Air Force Staff College.

1944-04-13

SNAILWELL

Training:- Formation flying 15 sorties, Interception 4 sorties, Low level navigation 2 sorties.
S/L. GOLKO proceeded to 41 O.T.U. HAWARDEN by air to confer with the Polish flying instructor regarding the training of likely to be posted to the Unit.
Re-arming of Squadron:-One Hurricane IIC aircraft arrived from No. 22 M.U.
CPT. COOPER (South Wales Borders) arrived for A.L.O. duties.

1944-04-14

SNAILWELL

Training:- Formation flying 8 sorties, Interception 6 sorties, Dive bombing on range (10 lbs. smoke) 11 sorties.
F/L. BIALOSKORSKI (A.&.S.D.) proceeded on posting to 18 Fighter Wing H.Q. for Adjutant duties.

1944-04-15

SNAILWELL

Training:- Battle formation flying 12 sorties, Interception 4 sorties, Air to air firing (cine camera gun) 5 sorties, Cross country flying 2 sorties.
Preliminary warning order received from H.Q. No. 12 Group that 309 (P) Squadron and necessary ground personnel to be prepared to move on attachment to No. 15 A.P.C. PETERHEAD on 22nd April for armament training until 30th April.

1944-04-17

SNAILWELL

Movement instructions received from H.Q. A.D.G.B. that No. 309 (P) Squadron and 6309 S.E. are to move from R.A.F. Station Snailwell to R.A.F. Station Drem on 23.4.44, move to be made by air and rail.

1944-04-18

SNAILWELL

Training:- Air to ground firing (cine camera gun) 1 sortie, Battle formation flying 6 sorties, Interception practice 4 sorties.
F/L. A.K. BONING Local Interrogation Officer lectured all available pilots on enemy methods of interrogation of prisoners of war.

1944-04-19

SNAILWELL

Training:- Interception practice 8 sorties, Formation flying 8 sorties, Air to air firing (cine camera gun) 5 sorties.
F/L. ANTOLAK (GD) proceeded to Lulworth Camp on Armoured Fighting Vehicle Recognition Course.

1944-04-20

SNAILWELL

Training:- Low navigation 5 sorties, Interception practice 8 sorties, Formation flying 4 sorties.

1944-04-22

SNAILWELL

Instructions received from R.A.F. Station Snailwell that one flight of 309 Squadron and necessary ground personnel are to be detached to be detached to R.A.F. Station Hutton Cranswick.

1944-04-23

SNAILWELL

‘A’ Flight of No. 309 (P) Squadron and ground personnel proceeded to R.A.F. Station Drem and ‘B’ flight of No. 309 (P) Squadron and ground personnel proceeded to R.A.F. Station Hutton Cranswick in accordance with Movement Order No.9 attached.
No. 6309 Servicing Echelon personnel proceeded to R.A.F. Station Drem and Hutton Cranswick in accordance with Movement Orders Nos. 2 and 3 attached.
Instructions received from H.Q. A.D.G.B. that attachment of Squadron to 15 A.P.C. PETERHEAD is cancelled.

1944-04-24

HUTTON CRANSWICK

‘B’ Flight. Exercise ‘DRIVER’ (Control of aircraft from ships).
06.02 Four aircraft at 30 mins. readiness.
11.15 Two aircraft took off Exercise.

1944-04-25

DREM

12.00 Two aircraft at immediate readiness.
16.55 ‘Scramble’ ordered – two aircraft took off.
22.30 Aircraft released from readiness.

HUTTON CRANSWICK

‘B’ Flight. Exercise ‘DRIVER’.
05.58 Six aircraft at immediate readiness.
15.30 Four aircraft took off for Exercise.
21.55 All aircraft released.

1944-04-26

DREM

05.50 Two aircraft at readiness – released at 22.30 hrs.
Training:- Air to sea firing 8 sorties.
F/O. GOLUCHOWSKI ( A&SD) arrived on posting from 411 R.&.S.U. for Adjutant duties.

HUTTON CRANSWICK

“B” Flight. Exercise ‘DRIVER’.
05.55 Two aircraft at immediate readiness – two aircraft at 30 mins. readiness but at 10.15 hrs. transferred to 15 mins. readiness. During the day eight aircraft took part in exercises with Fighter Director Tenders and at 21.58 flying ceased.

1944-04-28

DREM

05.45 Two aircraft at immediate readiness – released at 22.30 hrs.
Training:- Air to ground firing 4 sorties, Formation flying 5 sorties.

HUTTON CRANSWICK

‘B’ flight. Exercise ‘DRIVER’. Eight aircraft took part in Exercise. From 06.00 hrs. two aircraft were at 30 mins. readiness.

DREM

05.45 Two aircraft at immediate readiness – released at 22.30 hrs.
S/L. GOLKO visited ‘B’ Flight Detachment at R.A.F. Station Hutton Cranswick (by air).

HUTTON CRANSWICK

‘B’ Flight. From 05.58 hrs. two aircraft were at readiness.

1944-04-29

DREM

05.40 Two aircraft at immediate readiness – released 22.35 hrs.
Training:- Formation flying 4 sorties.

HUTTON CRANSWICK

From 05.55 hrs. two aircraft were at 30 mins. readiness.

1944-04-30

DREM

05.40 Two aircraft at immediate readiness.
17.50 ‘Scramble’ ordered – two aircraft took off.
22.34 Aircraft released.
Training:- Formation flying 3 sorties, Interception 4 sorties.

HUTTON CRANSWICK

From 05.50 hrs. two aircraft at 15 mins. readiness. Air to ground firing 23 sorties.

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