Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1945-02-01

ANDREWS FIELD

14.45 Escort to 160 Lancasters on Target approx. 5112N. 0625 E. – 12 a/c. took off.
Training: - Formation and cine gun attacks, aerobatics – 3 sorties.
F/L. ZIELONKA (GD) posted from R.A.F. Station Andrews Field ( n/e sick) for flying duties.

1945-02-02

No flying – strong wind with rain.

1945-02-03

12.20 Fighter sweep over Hanover – 10 a/c. took off.
Training: - Formation & cine gun attacks, aerobatics – 4 sorties.

1945-02-04

Training: - Squadron formation, photo attacks, low flying, battle formation & cloud Flying carried out – 16 sorties. Dusk flying – 4 aircraft 3 hrs. 20 mins.

1945-02-05

Training: - Battle formation, cine gun attacks, cloud flying & low flying carried out – 12 sorties. Dusk flying – 4 aircraft – 4 hrs. 20 mins.

1945-02-06

08.50 Escort to 18 Lancasters bombing Bielefeld – 12 a/c. took off.
F/L. POLITKOWSKI (A&SD) posted to R.A.F. Stn. Andrews Field for pre-course Flying Control Training. App.31.

1945-02-07

13.55 Escort to centre of formation of 150 Lancasters bombing WAHNE EICHLE – 12 a/c took off. App.31.

1945-02-08

10.30 Visit of the Polish Prime Minister Mr. Arciszewski to 133 Wing. The Premier arrived and was conducted to 133 Wing Briefing Room where, after introduction he addressed the Senior. Polish Officers and pilots and had informal talks on the operational effort of the Wing. A tour of the station was then made including Dispersals and Servicing Wing shoving airmens’ working conditions.
13.30 The Premier was entertained to lunch in the Officers Mess and Polish and British Officers of No. 133 Wing and 316 Squadron attended. The Premier departed at 14.30 hrs.

1945-02-09

Training: - Air to air & cine gun practice and air to sea firing – 8 sorties.

1945-02-10
14.15 Fighter sweep against enemy aerodromes – 12 a/c. took off. App. 31.
Training: - Cloud flying, photo attacks, aerobatics & cross country navigation – 3 sorties. W/O. PIETRZAK (Pilot) arrived on posting for flying duties from 316 Squadron.

1945-02-11

No flying – bad weather.

1945-02-12

F/L. WISNIEWSKI (GD) posted from R.A.F. Turnhouse (N/E sick) for Ops. Room duties.

1945-02-13

No flying – bad weather.

1945-02-14

09.05 Escort to 16 Lancasters bombing railway cutting near HERFORD – 11 a/c. took off.- -App.31.
Training: - Aerobatics & low flying. Dusk flying – 6 a/c. – 6hrs. 35 mins.
F/L. KARASZEWSKI (GD) admitted to R.A.F. Hospital Ely.

1945-02-16

15.00 One the occasion of Group Capt. T. Nowierski, D.F.C. handing over the command of No.133 Wing to Group Capt. T. Rolski, D.S.O. all ranks of the Wing were paraded at 309 Squadron Dispersal. Group Capt. Nowierski addressed the parade and thanked all ranks for their work and loyalty. After taking over, Group Capt. Rolski inspected the parade.

1945-02-17

No flying.

1945-02-18

Flying Accidend – F/L. ZIELONKA (GD) in Mustang III S.R.418 on training formation flying & battle attacks and when attacking another section of Mustangs, two Thunderbolts also attacked the target section of Mustangs, the second Thunderbolt Collided with F/L. Zielonka’s a/c. which exploded in the air. F/L. Zielonka baled out and landed by parachute but sustained injuries which necessitated his admission to Black Notley Hospital. Crash Signal sent and F.765C action taken. A court of inquiry is being held.

1945-02-19

14.55 Escort and cover to 150 Lancasters bombing WESSEL – 12 a/c. took off. App.31.

1945-02-21

14.20 Fighter Sweep SALZWEDEL, WERNIGERODE, MINDEN and OSNABRUCK – 11 a/c. took off. App.31.
F/L. ZELIGOWSKI (GD Intelligence Duties) proceeded on posting to (P) I.T.W. Croughton for Flight Commanderduties.

1945-02-22

14.20 Escort to 16 Lancasters bombing BIELEFIELD – 8 a/c. took off. App.31.
Congratulations of Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group conveyed to 309 (P) Squadron by Group Captain Rolski, D.S.O. (O.C. No. 133 Wing) on the successful operations carried out over Germany on the previous day.
F/L. Gorzula, P/O. Lewandowski & P/O. Jaeschke returned from Debach where they landed from operations the previous day & landed at 11.45 hrs. W/O. Murkowski and Sgt. Zagroba returned from Ursel where they landed from operetions the previous day & landed at 13.45 & 13.20 hrs respectively.

1945-02-23

All pilots briefed but operations cancelled.

1945-02-24

15.05 Escort cover to rear half of bombers, bombing KAMEN – 12 a/c. took off. App.31.

1945-02-25

11.05 Escort to rear half of 150 Lancasters bombing KAMEN -11 a/c. took off. App.31.

1945-02-26

12.20 Escort cover to 150 Lancasters bombing refinery at DORTMUND – 12 a/c. took off. – App.31.

1945-02-27

14.50 Escort to second part of first half of formation of 400 Halifaxes & Lancasters bombing M/Y. at MAIN – 6a/c. took off. App.31
Information received from H.Q. 11 Group that the enemy intended to launch Flying Bombs from the ground in Holland and directed against London – No. 133 Wing which includes 309 (P) Sqdn. would be employed in destroying them, and with effect from first light 28th Feb. 1945 would be screened from all other operations and to maintain one Squadron at ‘Readiness’ and two Squadrons at 30 mins. ‘Available’. Aircraft to be modified as possible for 25 lbs. boost and 150 Octane fuel.
18.00 All pilots briefed for operations against ‘Flying Bombs’.
Training: - Air to air firing – 4 sorties.

1945-02-28

Squadron at 30 mins. ‘Available’.
F/L. BARLOW, Education Officer, who had served with the Squadron continuously since 23rd June, 1941 left the Royal Air Force on resigning his commission.

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