Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-10-01

DREM

Flying Accident:- F/L. BARANSKI in Hurricane IIC LF.650 landed short and struck the sharp outside edge of the concrete perimeter track which burst the starboard tyre causing the undercarriage leg to dig into the grass and collapse, also damaging the wing tip, flap and aileron and propeller. Form 765C action taken.

1944-10-02

DREM

P/O. CHUDZINSKI (GD) promoted to the Permanent War Rank of Flying Officer w.e.f. 1.5.44.

1944-10-03

DREM

F/O. BEFINGER (GD) promoted to the Permanent War Rank of Flight Lieutenant w.e.f. 1.6.44.

1944-10-04

DREM

Information received from H.Q. A.D.G.B. that the role of the Squadron would in the near future be changed from “Fighter Recce.” To purely “Fighter” and the unit be equipped with Mustang III in place of Mustang I.

PETERHEAD
18.00 Interception of unidentified aircraft – one section took off.

1944-10-05

PETERHEAD

18.30 Standing Patrol – one section took off.

1944-10-06

DREM

W/C. W.ZAK (Polish Laison Officer A.D.G.B.) and S/L. W. NOWAK (Polish Personnel Officer A.D.G.B.) visited the unit and conferred with S/L. GLOWACKI ( Commanding Officer) regarding the future role of the Squadron and fighter training to be carried out.

PETERHEAD
Flying Accident:- F/L. RADZISZEWSKI in Mustang I AG.425 on approaching to land from local flying exercise failed to flatten out and hit runway with propeller blades and undercarriage simultaneously. Crash signal sent and Form 765C action taken.

1944-10-07

PETERHEAD

18.25 Standing Patrol – one section took off.

1944-10-08

PETERHEAD

18.20 Standing Patrol – one section took off.

1944-10-09

DREM

F/O. ZAJCHOWSKI (GD) proceeded to Rolls Royce School Derby for 5 days Merlin Engine Handling Course.

PETERHEAD
18.20 Standing Patrol – one section took off.

1944-10-12

DREM

F/L. BARANSKI (GD) attached to R.A.F. Station Drem pending posting.

1944-10-15

DREM

14.30 Air sea Rescue – one section took off.

PETERHEAD
17.40 Air Sea Rescue – one section took off.

1944-10-16

PETERHEAD

F/L. RADZISZEWSKI (GD) proceeded to Rolls Royce Schoole Derby for 5 days Merlin Engine Handling Course.

1944-10-18

DREM

S/L. GLOWACKI visited the Sector Commander Turnhouse and whilst there had an interview with the A.O.C. regarding the possibility of withdrawing ‘B’ Flight from attachment at Peterhead so that more efficient Squadron training could be carried out at Drem. The A.O.C. agreed to ‘B’ Flight returning to Drem in the near future.

PETERHEAD
Flying Accident:- F/O. GORZENSKI (GD) in Mustang I AP.213 took off and when at about 100 ft. his engine out with smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. After operating the throttle the engine picked up again but once mare out. In order to avoid landing in a small ravine he decided to land without flaps. Still trying to save the aircraft from crashing by operating throttle and rp.m. he finally made a belly landing. The aircraft caught fire and the fuselage forward of the cockpit was completely burnt out. The pilot was unhurt. Crash Signal and Form 765C action taken.

1944-10-19

DREM

Cypher message received from H.Q. 13 Group ordering the return of ‘B’ Flight to drem from attachment to Peterhead. Move to be completed by 23.59 hrs 21st October.
Flying Accident;- F/L. SAWICKI on aircraft test flight in Mustang I AP.177 landed on the Airfield with undercarriage retracted. Pilot was uninjured. Crash signal sent and Form 765C action taken.
F/L. POLEK (GD) and F/L. ZIELONKA (GD) arrived on hosting from 316 Sqdn. for flying duties. F/L. ZELIGOWSKI (GD) ( Unit Intelligence Officer) proceeded on 14 days attachment to 316 Squadron to gain more practical experience of Intelligence Officers’ duties in an operational Squadron.

PETERHEAD
‘B’ Flight ceased to maintain state of readiness as from 23.59 hrs.

1944-10-20

DREM

Rail party of 4 officers of ‘B’ Flight arrived from Peterhead.

1944-10-21

DREM

Air Party of 5 Mustang I aircraft and crews arrived from Peterhead. Move completed.
F/O. CZERNI remained at Peterhead to complete handing over of buildings etc.

1944-10-22

DREM

CAPT. SZELOCH (A.L.O. attached to 309 Squadron) after an illness of several months died in Paderewski Hospital Edinburgh.

1944-10-23

DREM

P/O. JAESCHKE (GD) proceeded on attachment to Rolls Royce School Derby for 5 days Merlin Engine Course.
P/O. KAWNIK (GD) arrived on posting from 306 Squadron for flying duties.
P/O. JUDEK (GD) arrived on posting from 316 Squadron for flying duties.

1944-10-24

DREM

Funeral of CAPT. Szeloch took place in Edinburdh and body interned in Corstorphine Cometry.
Representatives of 309 Squadron attended.
The first 8 Mustang IIIs. arrived by air – 4 from 20 M.U. and 4 from 22M.U.

1944-10-25

DREM

F/L. BARANSKI (GD) & F/O. CZERNECKI (GD) proceeded on posting to P.A.F. Depot supy.
F/L. RZDZISZEWSKI (GD) proceeded on posting to 25 (P) E.F.T.S.
One Mustang III arrived by air from 20 M.U.

1944-10-26

DREM

F/O. MAZGAY (GD) arrived on posting from P.A.F. Depot for flying duties.
08.25 Interception of unidentified aircraft – one section took off.

1944-10-27

DREM

Four Mustang III arrived by air – three from 22 M.U. and one from 20 M.U.
Flying Accident:- F/L. MINISZEWSKI (GD) in Mustang I AP.170 soon after taking off on aircraft test experienced engine trouble. At a height of 100 ft. his engine cut and then again picked up. This continued with consequent loss of height. When further flying became impossible he decided to make a forced landing. He made a belly landing in a field approx. 2 miles from Drem Airfield. Crash signal sent and Form 765C action taken. The pilot was unhurt.

1944-10-28

DREM

Three Mustang III arrived by air – two from 20 M.U. and one from 22 M.U.
F/L. CYBULSKI (GD) arrived on posting from P.A.F. Depot for flying duties.
11.15 Interception of unidentified aircraft – one section took off.

1944-10-29

DREM

One Mustang III arrived by air from 20 M.U.

1944-10-30

DREM

Readiness- One section at immediate and one at 30 mins. was maintained daily by both flights up to 23.59 hrs. on 19th, thereafter readiness was maintained at Drem by ‘A’ & ‘B’ Flights on alternate days.
Training consisting of formation flying, low flying, cine gun practice, battle formation, air to sea firing, mock dog fights, air to ground firing, bomber affiliation, dusk flying, navigation & map reading and Squadron formation flying with a total of 568 sorties.
No flying was possible on 6 days of the month owing to bad weather and unserviceability of airfield etc.

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