Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-07-01

DREM

04.25.
Two sections at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
No flying owing to bad weather.
F/O GOLUCHOWSKI proceeded on posting to H.Q. Polish Air Force.
A party of 1 officer and 42 other ranks of 104 R.E. Coy visited the Squadron and Capt. Cooper gave a lecture on the working of an A.L. Section.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, 1 at 15 mins & one at 30 mins readiness.
F/O. KAMINSKI returned to unit on completion of Merlin Engine Handling Course.

1944-07-02

DREM.

04.25.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
Exercise “Driver” (Co-operation between H.M. Ships and shore based aircraft.) 3 sorties.

[HUTTON] CRANSWICK
Dawn to dusk – One section at immediate, one at 15 mins, and one at 30 mins. readiness.
10.00.
Ten Hurricane IIC took off for R.A.F Station ACKLINGTON and landed at 11.00 hrs. Move of “B” Flight completed.

ACKLINGTON
14.00.
State of preparedness taken over from 504 Squadron. One section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness – released at dusk.
F/L. SNIEC (GD) proceeded on posting to No. 84 G.S.U. for flying duties.

1944-07-03

DREM

04.30.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
No flying owing to bad weather.
F/O. STRUSINSKI (GD) posted to R.A.F Station DREM N/E. sick w.e.f. 3.6.44.
F/O ZAJDEDL (GD) proceeded on posting to No. 577 Squadron for flying duties.
F/O. KARASZEWSKI (GD) proceeded to Rolls Royce School DERBY for Merlin Engine Handling Course.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness
No flying owing to bad weather.

1944-07-04

DREM.

04.30.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
No flying owing to bad weather.

23.30.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.
F/O. KARASZEWSKI (GD) returned to unit from Rolls Royce School DERBY owing to Merlin Engine Handling Course being cancelled.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness
No flying owing to bad weather.

1944-07-05

DREM.

04.30.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
Three sorties flown on Exercise “Driver”.
23.30.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-06

DREM.

04.20.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
Three sorties flown on Exercise “Driver”.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-07

DREM.

04.20.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
Three sorties flown on Exercise “Driver”.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness
Flying Accident:- F/L/ PISULINSKI in Hurricane IIC LF.699 crashed when coming into land, causing damage to undercarriage leg and starboard wing tip. Casualty signal sent and Form 756(C) action taken.

1944-07-08

DREM.

04.30.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
Three sorties flown on Exercise “Driver”.
23.25.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-09

DREM.

04.39
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
Three sorties flown on Exercise “Driver”.
LT. BOJARSKI proceeded to ACKLINGTON to act as Air Liaison Officer for “B” Flight.
23.25.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-10

DREM.

04.40
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-11

DREM.

04.41
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
13.40.
Protection of Shipping – 8 sorties.
S/L WOJTYGA (GD) proceeded on posting to Polish Senior Staff Officers Training Centre Edinburgh,

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness
17.30.
Protection of shipping – 14 sorties.

1944-07-12

DREM.

04.43
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.
Photography:- Three mosaics and three O.L.O’s. completed for 52nd Division.
COL WIECKOWSKI (B.G.S. 1st Polish Corps) accompanied by MAJOR MARTYNOWSKI and CAPT. KERN visited the Squadron and conferred with S/L GOLKO and CAPT. SZELOCH on the working of the A.L. Section.
23.20.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-13

DREM.

04.44
Two sections at 30 mins. readiness until 13.00 hrs. when one section was put to immediate readiness – released 24.00 hrs.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-14

DREM

04.46.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 24.00 hrs.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-15

DREM

04.47.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.50 hrs.
23.20.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-16

DREM

04.49.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.48 hrs.
Photography:- Gridded oblique completed for 52nd Division.
23.10.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-17

DREM

04.50.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.47 hrs.
23.10.
Interception of unidentified aircraft – one section took off.
F/L JAREMA (GD) proceeded to Rolls Royce School Derby for Merlin Engine Handling Course.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-18

DREM

04.50.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.44 hrs.
23.10.
Standing patrol – one section took off.
F/L. BARANSKI (GD) arrived on posting from 41 O.T.U. for flying duties.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-19

DREM

04.50.
One section at immediate and one section at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.44 hrs.

DREM
A Demonstration of Air Support for pupils of the Polish Staff College was given by four Hurricane IIC from “A” Flight. A Corps H.Q. was reported in a wood approx. 5 miles North of FALKIRK. The demonstration was initiated be a recce. plane flying over the reported site of the H.Q. to take photographs and to recce. the locality. After a reasonable time interval a token Squadron of Mustangs (represented by 4 Hurricane IIC) dive bombed the H.Q., five minutes afterwards a token Squadron of Typhoons (4 Hurricane IIC) attacked the same H.Q. with R.P. A “Fighter Squadron” now made M.G. and cannon attacks on targets of opportunity, this Squadron was represented by 4 Hurricane IIC. A V.C.P. had been sent out previously, controlled by F/L. BOKOWIEC, the aircraft operated on the “cab-rank” system, awaiting directions from the controller in the V.C.P. Three attacks were delivered, communication was good throughout. Briefing of pilots was carried out by CAPT. COOPER. The G2 (Air) 1st Polish Corps reported that the demonstration was very successful. A loud speaker was connected up during the V.C.P. control and the spectators were able to hear all communications between the aircraft and the controller in the V.C.P.
23.05.
Standing patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-20

DREM

04.55.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.40 hrs.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-21

DREM

04.55.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.55 hrs.
21.30.
Air Sea Rescue – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-22

DREM

04.55.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.30 hrs.
By arrangements between Controllers of Turnhouse Sector and Newcastle Sector 7 aircraft from DREM and five aircraft from ACKLINGTON practiced Squadron formation flying.
Photography:- Stereo pairs completed for 52nd Divison.
23.05.
Standing Patrol – one section took off.
F/L. JAREMA returned from Merlin Engine Handling Course at Rolls Royce School DERBY.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness.

1944-07-23

DREM

05.07.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.32 hrs.
22.55.
Standing patrol – one section took off.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-24

DREM

05.09.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.30 hrs.
22.50.
Standing patrol – one section took off.
S/L. GOLKO proceeded to Rolls Royce School DERBY for Merlin Engine Handling Course.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness
Move of “B” Flight to LANGHAM AIRFIELD for 3 day Artillery Shoot with 76th Division R.A. Road party of 1 officer and 28 other ranks proceeded to Lyneham Airfield.

1944-07-25

DREM

05.11.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.27 hrs.
Three sorties flown on Exercise “Driver”
F/O. KUBICA (GD) arrived on posting from 41 O.T.U. for flying duties.

ACKLINGTON
Air party of eight aircraft and crews proceeded to LANGHAM AIRFIELD for Art / R. Exercise with 76th Division R.A.

1944-07-26

DREM

05.13.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.25 hrs.
P/O. CHUDZINSKI (GD) arrived on posting from 41 O.T.U. for flying duties.

LANGHAM
Artillery Shoot with 1 Troop medium of 76th Division R.A. 10 Art / R. sorties carried out. Communications between aircraft and ground very poor. Exercise satisfactory from point of viev of procedure carried out by pilots.

1944-07-27

DREM

05.16.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.22 hrs.
22.45.
Standing patrol – one section took off.
F/O. GORZENSKI (GD) arrived on posting from 41 O.T.U. for flying duties.

LANGHAM
Artillery Shoot with 1 Battery Field of 76th Division R.A. 10 Art / R. sorties carried out. Exercise considered satisfactory.
Flying Accident:- F/O. GRODZINSKI in Hurricane aircraft LF. 657 after landing and while taxying towards dispersal point took a short cut along a marked field path, struck a concrete manhole cover and the aircraft tipped up on its nose and damaged the propeller. Casualty signal sent and Form 765C action taken.

1944-07-28

DREM

05.18
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.20 hrs.
Flying restricted owing to bad weather.

LANGHAM
Artillery Shoot with 1 Battery Field of 76th Division R.A. 10 Art / R. sorties carried out.
Communication good and exercise very satisfactory. The pilots showed good knowledge of Art /R. procedure throughout the exercise. On conclusion of exercise air and road party of “B” Flight returned to Acklington.

1944-07-29

DREM

05.20.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.18 hrs.
Three sorties flown on Exercise “Driver”
S/L. GOLKO (GD) returned from Merlin Engine Handling Course at Rolls Royce School Derby.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-30

DREM

05.23.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.15 hrs.
No flying owing to bad weather.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

1944-07-31

DREM

05.25.
One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. readiness – released 23.12 hrs.

ACKLINGTON
Dawn to dusk – one section at immediate, one at 15 mins. and one at 30 mins. readiness

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