Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-08-01

NORTHOLT

Normal Routine.

1941-08-02

NORTHOLT

Bad weather. Training flying only. All personnel were moved from Cherry Lane school, and were accommodated at R.A.F. Station, Northolt, in order to facilitate the performance of Operational duties.

1941-08-03

NORTHOLT

3 Spitfires 11B arrived from No.616 Squadron, West Hampnett. (P.8540, P.8588, P.8670.)

1941-08-04

NORTHOLT

Training flights and air firing only.

1941-08-05

NORTHOLT

Operational sweep over France in the evening. Bad atmospheric conditions were encountered, and consequently the Squadron was recalled. [Mm.] No encounter with enemy. Three Sergeant Pilots, Sgt. Matus, M. – Sgt. Chudek, A. – Sgt. Gruszczynski, Z. – arrived on posting from No.55 O.T.U.

1941-08-06

NORTHOLT

Training flights only. Magister aircraft transferred from No.303 Squadron.

1941-08-07

NORTHOLT

Operational sweep over France with whole Wing. Nieuport – St. Omer – Gravelines. No encounter.
The first night flying traing on this Station by 315 Squadron took place. Three pilots took part.

1941-08-08

NORTHOLT

No flying, owing to bad weather. Link Trainer excercises carried out.

1941-08-09

NORTHOLT

Operational sweep as support wing on Circus No.68. 1 Me.109F destroyed, 2 Me.109E probably destroyed, and 1 Me.109E damaged.
Offensive Sweep over France, resulting in 1 Me.109F being destroyed, 1 Me.109E probably destroyed, and 2 Me.109E’s damaged. P/O. Czerniak and Sgt. Niewiara failed to return, and were subsequently reported “Missing”.

1941-08-10

NORTHOLT

During afternoon, 315 Squadron escorted Blenheim bombers in action against enemy shipping. Heavy and very accurate A.A. fire was encountered, but no enemy aircraft. In the evening, 4 aircraft took off on “Rhubarb” operation, but were recalled owing to lack of cloud cover over target area.

1941-08-11

NORTHOLT

No flying owing to bad weather. Squadron received congratulations from Station Commander on quick take off on yesterday’s operations, when the Squadron received only 10 minutes notice for briefing and take off. Several pupil pilots (4 Officers and 13 airmen) arrived from Polish Depot, Blackpool, for short training, pending posting.

1941-08-12

NORTHOLT

Squadron employed on close cover for 6 Hampden aircraft on Circus No.70. No encounter with enemy aircraft, but heavy and accurate A.A. fire was experienced.
Offensive sweep over France – no enemy aircraft encountered. Spitfire 11B – P.8670 – transferred to A.S.T. Ltd., Hamble.

1941-08-13

NORTHOLT

Bad weather. Training flying only.

1941-08-14

NORTHOLT

Convoy patrol over Channel, followed by sweep over France as Support Wing on Circus No.73. It proved to be a very fortunate sweep 315 Squadron. A series of individual combats ensued, with the result that 8 Me.109’s were destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and 1 damaged without loss to Squadron. The Squadron received several messages of congratulations, including messages from Sir Archibald Sinclair and C – in-C, Fighter Command, and A.O.C., 11 Group.
Spitfire 11B – P.8344 arrived from 38 M.U. and Spitfire 11B – P-8648 arrived from 45 M.U. Spitfire 11A – P.7855 was transferred to No.43 Group.

1941-08-15

NORTHOLT

Holy Mass was held in the hangar, as this is the “Day of the Feast of the Polish Forces”. No flying owing to bad weather conditions.

1941-08-16

NORTHOLT

Offensive sweep over France together with No.306 Squadron, acting as cover. No enemy aircraft were encountered by 315 Squadron, but 306 Squadron shot down 6 enemy aircraft without loss to themselves
Circular sweep over the area between St. Omer and the French coast on Circus No.75. 1 Me.109 was destroyed.

1941-08-17

NORTHOLT

Patrol over Channel as escort to 6 Blenheim bombers returning from action over Cherburg.
Protection of bomber aircraft in attacks on enemy shipping. Some e/a were seen but no encounters developed. Spitfire 11B – P.8580 arrived from 118 Squadron, Ibsley.

1941-08-18

NORTHOLT

Protection of Bomber aircraft in attack on munitions factory at Marquise. Heavy and accurate A.A. fire was encountered.
Five airmen were posted from the Squadron for flying training. This was the third party posted from the Squadron for such duties. Nearly all of these airmen were Aircrafthands, enlisted as airman pilots, and have been waiting for training since the formation of the Squadron.

1941-08-19

NORTHOLT

Squadron employed as part escort wing for bomber aircraft. A superior force of Me.109’s were encountered, and the Squadron only avoided serious loss forming a tight circle as evasive action. One aircraft made a forced landing in this country, as a result of damage and injuries sustained by the pilot in this action.
Squadron prvided escort cover on Circus No.82. Three Me.109’s were destroyed without loss to 315 Squadron. 20 N.C.O’s and airmen were trade by C.T.T.B. , and 13 posted the examination and were remustered accordingly.

1941-08-20

NORTHOLT

Air Marshal Douglas visited the Squadron, and promised to re-equip 315 Squadron with Spitfire V aircraft in 2 or 3 weeks. Practice attacks were carried out on glider aircraft.

1941-08-21

NORTHOLT

Offensive Sweep over France. No enemy aircraft were encountered,
Second sweep as bomber support wing on Circus No.84. Enemy aircraft were encountered, and 1 Me. was destroyed.

1941-08-22

NORTHOLT

No operational flying. Air firing and Link Trainer exercises carried out.

1941-08-23

NORTHOLT

No flying owing to bad weather. Squadron released off Station from 15.00 hours.

1941-08-24

NORTHOLT

‘A” Flight, on “Rhurbarb” operation, attacked an aerodrome at Le Touquet and factory at Le Ronart with cannons and machine guns.. Strong Flak and machine gun fire was experienced, especially in the area near the factory.

1941-08-25

NORTHOLT

Training flights only.

1941-08-26

Squadron employed as escort for bomber aircraft. No enemy aircraft were encountered.
Air Vice Marshal Leigh Mallory visited the Squadron and congratulated the pilots on their excellent work and splendid successes.

1941-08-27

NORTHOLT

Sweep over France as escort to bomber aircraft. No e/a were encountered. Difficulty was experienced in meeting the bombers, which failed to keep the randezvous.
Two Spitfire 11B’s – P.8505 and P.8644 arrived from No. 222 Squadron.

1941-08-28

NORTHOLT

Training flying only.

1941-08-29

NORTHOLT

Early morning patrol as escort wing on Circus No.88, together with whole of Polish Wing. Combat developed, and as a result of individual fighting 2 Me.109’s were destroyed and 1 damaged. One pilot of 315 Squadron failed to return. During this combat, one pilot of 315 Squadron joined a formation of 12 Me.109’s, shot one of then down, and then used all his remaining ammunition in attacks on the rest of the formation. He then tried to collide with an e/a, but the pilot managed to evade him. He then returned and landed safely.

1941-08-30

NORTHOLT

Protection flight over Channel, where Lysander aircraft was taking sea rescue action.
Re-equipment of Squadron with Spitfire V aircraft began. Six Spitfire V’s arrived, and the remainder are expected during the next few days.

1941-08-31

NORTHOLT

Protection of naval action by 2 Torpedo-boats and 6 M.T.B’s. There was no enemy air activity.
Close escort for 6 Blenheim bombers. No, enemy aircraft encountered.