Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-06-01

DREM.

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.30 hrs.
Training:- Cine camera gun attacks 3 sorties.
F/L. DADEJ (GD) proceeded on posting to No. 5 P.D.C. pending posting overseas.

[HUTTO]N CRANSWICK
04.50.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.05 hrs.
Training:- Low level navigation 3 sorties.

1944-06-02

DREM.

04.00.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.35 hrs.
16.00.
Exercise “DRIVER” (Co-operation between H.M. Ships and shore based fighters) – Three Hurricane IIC, one “Driver” and two “Fighters”, took off and communication was established in a few minutes but throughout the exercise the strength was unsatisfactory. “Driver” carried out four attacks. Exercise not considered satisfactory. Aircraft landed at base at 17.20 hrs.
Training:- Formation attacks 4 sorties. Photography:- 1 O.L.O. for 155 Brigade C.T.C. Inverary
15.50.
“Scramble” ordered – One section took off.
22.45.
Standing Patrol - One section took off.
F/L. SNIEC (GD) proceeded to Hutton Cranswick for duty with “B” Flight.

[…]LFIELD.
F/O STRUSINSKI (GD) admitted to Station Sick Quarters as a result of a flying accident while undergoing No. 6 Fighter Leaders Course.

[HUTT]ON CRANSWICK
04.50.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.05 hrs.
Training:- Air to air firing 8 sorties, aerobatics 1 sorties, practice “Scramble” ordered for section at readiness.

1944-06-03

DREM.

04.00.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23/35 hrs.
11.25.
Exercise “DRIVER” – Three Hurricane IIC, one “Driver” and two “fighters” took off, but shortly afterwards were recalled by Sector and landed at base at 11.40 hrs.

[…]LFIELD
F/O. STRUSINSKI (GD) transferred to Newcastle General Hospital.

[HUT]TON CRANSWICK
04.50.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.00 hrs.
Training:- Air to air firing 10 sorties, formation flying 12 sorties.

1944-06-04

DREM

04.00.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.35 hrs.
Training:- Formation & cloud flying 4 sorties, aerobatics 1 sortie.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.48.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins, until released at 23.02 hrs.
Training:- Formation flying 6 sorties, air to air firing 8 sorties, local flying 2 sorties.
Flying cancelled in the afternoon owing to bad weather.

1944-06-05

DREM.

04.00.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.40 hrs.
Training:- Formation & cloud flying 3 sorties. Photography:- 1 V.L.O. for H.Q. 13 Group (unsuccessful). 2 O.L.O. for 1st Polish Corps.
23.15.
Standing Patrol – One section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.48.
One section at immediate readiness and 1 section at 15 mins. until released at 23.00 hrs.
Training:- Air to air firing 14 sorties.

1944-06-06

DREM

04.47.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.40.
15.35.
“Scrambled” ordered – One section took off.
23.10.
Standing Patrol – One section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.00 hrs.
Training:- Air to ground firing on Shipsea range 8 sorties, formation flying and dive bombing 10 sorties, night flying 4 aircraft.

1944-06-07

DREM

04.45.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.45 hrs.
12.45.
Exercise “DRIVER” – Three Hurricane IIC one “Driver” and two “Fighters” took off. “Driver” made four attacks one of which was successful. Unable to make R/T. contact and after about one hour pilots were recalled and landed at base at 14.15 hrs. Exercise successful.
Training:- Cross country 2 sorties, interception 2 sorties, cine camera gun practice 1 sorties.
Photography:- 1 V.L.O. for H.Q. 13 Group (successful). 1 O.L.O. for 157 Brigade Inverary.
23.15.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTT]ON CRANSWICK
04.45.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.00 hrs.
Training:- Formation 5 sorties, formation and cine gun practice 8 sorties, night flying 4 a/c.

1944-06-08

DREM

04.45.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.45 hrs.
Training: Interception practice 4 sorties, cine camera gun practice 2 sorties, night flying 1 aircraft.
21.30.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTT]ON CRANSWICK
04.48.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.02 hrs.
Training:- Practice “Scramble” ordered for readiness section, formation flying 16 sorties, aerobatics 1 sorties.

1944-06-09

DREM

04.45.
One section at immediate readiness until released at 23.45 hrs.
16.50.
Exercise “DRIVER” – One “Driver” and two “Fighters” took off and established communication after a few minutes. Communication was good throughout the exercise. “Driver” performed four attacks. Weather conditions and visibility poor. Recalled be Sector and landed at Base at 18.20 hrs.
Training:- Photo attacks & formation flying 4 sorties.
P/O GRODZINSKI (GD) promoted to the Permanent War Rank of Flying Officer w.e.f. 1.3.44.

[HUTT]ON CRANSWICK
04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.05 hrs.
10.02.
“Scramble” ordered and one section took off to intercept unidentified aircraft which turned out to be friendly. Section landed at 10.25 hrs.
Training: Formation & cine gun practice 3 sorties, low navigation 4 sorties, high altitude flying 1 sorties, night flying 4 aircraft.

1944-06-10

DREM

04.45.
One section at immediate readiness until 19.00 hrs. From 19.00 hrs to 23.45 hrs three sections at immediate readiness and from 23.45 onwards three sections at 30 mins. readiness.
Training:- Aerobatics 4 sorties, interception 2 sorties, V.L.O. 2 sorties (practice)
23.10.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTT]ON CRANSWICK
04.48.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 15 mins. until released at 23.05 hrs.
Training:- Cine camera gun practice 2 sorties, air to air firing (2 drogues shot away) 12 sorties, night flying 4 aircraft.

1944-06-11

DREM

04.45.
Two sections at immediate readiness and one section at 30 mins. until 23.45 hrs. From 23.45 hrs. onwards 3 sections at 30 mins. readiness.
23.30.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTT]ON CRANSWICK
04.50.
One section at immediate readiness and at 15 mins. until released at 23.00 hrs.
Training:- Air to air firing (one drogue shot away) 8 sorties, night flying 4 sorties.

1944-06-12

DREM.

04.45.
Two sections at immediate readiness and one section at 30 mins. until 09.00 hrs. From 09.00 hrs. one section at immediate readiness and two sections at 30 mins. until 22.30 hrs.
From 22.30 hrs. two sections at immediate readiness and two sections at 30 mins. until 23.45 hrs.
04.10.
Standing Patrol, one section took off.
Photography:- 1 V.L.O. (practice). Training: Night flying 1 aircraft,

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.48.
One section at immediate readiness and one section at 15 mins. until released at 23.02 hrs.
Ten sorties flown on protection of shipping.
Training: Air to air firing (1 drogue shot away) 6 sorties, interception practice 2 sorties.
Photography:- 9 oblique mosaics.

1944-06-13

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and two at 30 mins. until released at 23.50 hrs.
Training: Low flying 1 sorties, formation flying 4 sorties.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.46.
One motion at immediate readiness, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. At 04.55 hrs. 30 mins. section brought up to 15 mins. whilst a convoy was on Sector front. At 17.30 hrs. the section at immediate readiness was put on “Stand by” state for 10 mins. whilst an unidentified aircraft was approaching the convoy. Aircraft released at 23.13 hrs.

1944-06-14

DREM.

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins. until released at 23.50 hrs.
Training: - Low formation flying 2 sorties, low navigation 1 sortie.
17.10.
Protection of Shipping – one section took off.
20.30.
“Scramble” ordered – one section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.45.
One section at immediate readiness, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. until readiness at 23.15 hrs.
Training”- One section carried out interception practice under Sector control. Local night flying – 7 sorties.

1944-06-15

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins. until released at 23.45 hrs.
Training:- Low navigation 7 sorties, cross country 2 sorties. Photography:- 1 V.L.O. for O.T.U. Dunbar (unsuccessful) 1 O.P.P. & 1 V.P.P. for 22 Liaison H.Q.
F.O. KARASZEWSKI (GD) returned from Hutton Cranswick for duty with “A’ Flight

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.45.
One section at immediate readiness, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. until released at 23.50 hrs. Two sorties for photographs demanded by H.Q. No. 12 Group.
Training:- Formation flying 6 sorties. Night flying programme cancelled owing to bad weather.

1944-06-16

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins. until released at 23.50 hrs.
Training:- Formation flying & cine gun practice 14 sorties.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.40.
One section at immediate readiness, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. until released at 23.45 hrs.

1944-06-17

DREM.

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 23.50 hrs.
Training: Sector recce. 1 sorties, low flying 3 sorties, formation & cine camera gun practice 2 sorties, interception practice 2 sorties, cross country 2 sorties.
Photography:- 3 V.L.O. for H.Q. 52nd Division, 1 V.L.O. for Scottish Command, 1 Mosaic for A.L.O. R.A.F. Station Tealing.
20.45.
“Scramble” ordered – One section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.44.
One section at immediate readiness, and one at 15 mins. & one at 30 mins. until released at 23.14 hrs.
09.15.
One section ordered to shoot down drifting balloon at 24,000 ft. and 35 miles from base.
Two Hurricane IIC took off (F/L. SZYSZKO and F/L. KRAKOWSKI) under Sector control and found balloon at 16,000 ft. about 10 miles from LEEDS, and after two bursts balloon descended in flames.
Training:- Mosaic photo (practice) 2 sorties, cross country 4 sorties, formation flying & cine gun practice 5 sorties.

1944-06-18

DREM.

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins. until released at 23.40 hrs.
Training:- Formation flying 12 sorties, cross country 2 sorties.

[HU]TTON CRANSWICK
04.40.
One section at immediate readiness, one at 15 mins. & one at 30 mins. until released at 23.20 hrs.
Training:- Air to air firing 8 sorties.

1944-06-19

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 23.40 hrs.
Training:- Formation flying 5 sorties, battle formation 4 sorties, cross country 2 sorties.
Photography:- 2 V.L.O. for O.T.U. Dunbar (successful)

[HU]TTON CRANSWICK
04.44.
One section at immediate readiness, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. until released at 23.45 hrs.
Training:- Practice interception under sector control 12 sorties. Bad weather over range cancelled air to air firing as arranged.

1944-06-20

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 23.50 hrs.
23.40.
“Scramble” ordered – one section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.45.
One section at immediate readiness, one at 15 mins. & one at 30 mins. until released at 23.15 hrs.
Training:- Photographic (oblique) practice 1 sortie, air to air firing 14 sorties.

1944-06-21

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 23.50 hrs.
Photography:- 1 O.L.O. for Polish Staff College, Eddleston & 1 V.L.O. for 22 Liaison H.Q.
F/O. BASINSKI (A & SD) arrived on attachment from P.A.F. Depot Blackpool for education duties.
23.25.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.45.
One section at immediate readiness, one section at 15 mins. & 1 at 30 mins. until released at 23.15 hrs.
Training:- Air to ground firing 12 sorties.

1944-06-22

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 23.50 hrs.
Training:- Air to air firing 7 sorties, cross country 2 sorties.
18.10.
“Scramble” ordered – one section took off.
S/L. WOJTYGA (GD) arrived on posting supy. for flying duties from P.A.F. Depot Blackpool.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
EXERCISE “KESTREL” - Flight released from readiness subject to recall if necessary and detailed to supply air support as cancelled for by 1st Polish Armoured Divison, taking part in this exercise in the Wolds training area E. Yorkshire. For the purpose of this exercise the flight were allowed to assume any role that might be necessary. Two Tac /R. sorties carried out.

1944-06-23

DREM

04.40.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 23.50 hrs.
Training:- Cross country 2 sorties, night flying 2 aircraft.
Photography:- 1 O.L.O. for Polish Staff College, Eddleston.
23.30.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
Exercise “KESTREL” – 1 Tac /R. and 1 Photo / Recce. carried out.
S/L. GOLKO arrived from Drem to take part in the exercise.

16.00.
One section ordered to readiness by Sector for Shipping watch.

1944-06-24

DREM

04.35.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 23.50 hrs.
Training:- Low flying 1 sortie, practice interception controlled by G.C.I.2 sorties.
09.55.
Exercise “KESTREL” – One “Driver” and two “Fighters” took off. In a few minutes communication was established but the strength was not very good throughout the exercise. The correct procedure for communication was not adhered to. Recalled by sector and landed at base at 11.45 hrs.
23.05.
“Scramble” ordered – one section took off.
F.O. RADKIEWICZ (GD) arrived on posting for Adjutant duties from No. 16 (P) S.F.T.S.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
Exercise “KESTREL” 19 sorties carried out (7 Photo / R., 3 Tac / R. and ground attack by 9 a/c)

1944-06-25

DREM

04.35.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 24.00 hrs.
Training: Air to air firing 16 sorties.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
Exercise “KESTREL” – 10 sorties carried out (3 Tac / R., 1 Recce. and air support by 6 a/c “Tank Busting”). Army expressed satisfaction at good air support given throughout the exercise.

1944-06-26

04.35.
One section at immediate readiness & one at 30 mins until released at 00.04 hrs.
Training: Practice interception under control of G.C.I. 2 sorties.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
No flying owing to bad weather conditions.

1944-06-27

DREM

04.26.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 00.05 hrs.
23.30.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.44.
One section at immediate readiness, 1 at 15 mins. & 1 at 30 mins. until released at 23.15 hrs.
Training:- Q.G.H. procedure 1 sorties.

1944-06-28

DREM

04.25.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 00.05 hrs.
Training:- Formation & cine gun practice 5 sorties.
16.30.
Exercise “Driver” – One ‘Driver” and two “Fighters” took off. Communication established after a few minutes. “Driver made five attacks. Exercise successful and pilots recalled by sector and landed at base at 17.30 hrs.
23.00.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.44.
One section at immediate readiness, 1 at 15 mins. & 1 at 30 mins. until released at 23.30 hrs.
Training:- Q.G.H. procedure 2 sorties, dive bombing practice (dummy) 6 sorties.

1944-06-29

DREM

04.27.
One section at immediate readiness and one at 30 mins until released at 00.04 hrs.
Training:- Low level flying 1 sortie, air to air firing 5 sorties, formation flying 7 sorties.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
04.48.
One section at immediate readiness, 1 at 15 mins. & 1 at 30 mins.
Signal received from No. 12 Group that “B” Flight was to move from Hutton Cranswick to R.A.F. Station Acklington, move to be completed by 1st July and state of readiness to be taken over from 504 Squadron by last light on 1st July. Necessary orders issued to empty with the order.
23.15.
Released from operations in Church Fenton Sector.

1944-06-30

DREM.

04.28.
Two sections at 30 mins. readiness until released at 24.00 hrs.
No flying owing to bad weather.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
07.00.
Road party consisting of 1 N.C.O. and 43 other ranks left Hutton Cranswick for R.A.F. for R.A.F. Station Acklington.

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