Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-11-01

R.A.F. Station, NORTHOLT.

Squadron acted as top cover on Low Ramrod operation with Hurricane bombers.
F/O. B. Groszewski was reposted from No. 61 O.T.U. for operational duties after two months of instructor duties.

1941-11-02

Training flying only.

1941-11-03

An operational flight was recalled to base. Day and night flying training only. During night flying training, one pilot was seriously injured when he struck the aerodrome boundary on approaching to land.
Sgt. KOSMALSKI arrived on posting from 306 Sqdn. He is a young pilot, and only recently left on O.T.U.

1941-11-04 - 1941-11-05

Training flying only, interception and formation exercises.

1941-11-06

Low Ramrod operation – Sqdn acted as top escort cover. Many targets were attacked and left in flames.

1941-11-07

Operational sweep over France. No encounter with enemy aircraft – heavy, but not very accurate, flak experienced.

1941-11-08

Sqdn provided middle escort cover on Circus 110. Several enemy aircraft flew above but did not attack, awaiting more favourable occasion. On the return journey, between Arras and Ostende, S/Ldr. SZCZESNIEWSKI broke formation and sent a message by R/T that he is xxxx short of petrol and will transmit details when he is forced to land. S/Ldr. SZCZESNIEWSKI failed to return.

1941-11-09

Air Firing training on Dengie Flats.

1941-11-10

No flying at all – bad weather.

1941-11-11

Training flying only.

1941-11-12

Formation flying training.

1941-11-13

Bad weather – 2 aircraft started on scramble over base.

1941-11-14

Bad weather – no flying at all.

1941-11-15

P.M.
Low Ramrod operation in which Sqdn acted as rear support. Operation completed according to plan.

1941-11-16

No flying.

1941-11-17

F/Lt. JANUS (Flight Commander of 308 Sqdn) assumed command of Sqdn as S/Ldr.

1941-11-18

Formation flying exercises.

1941-11-19

Bad weather – no flying.

1941-11-20

Flying training only, particularly local flying, cloud flying, and “ZZ” blind approach.

1941-11-21

Air Firing training at Dengie Flats.
P.M.
An operational flight was cancelled at the last moment wing to bad weather.

1941-11-22

Operational sweep over France. Several enemy aircraft were encountered, and combat took place, as a result of which one Me. 109 was damaged.

1941-11-23

At Midday Sqdn took off as close escort to Hurricane bombers to attack Bourbourg. Flak was extremely heavy and accurate over the target area and exceptionally heavy near Dunkirk. Targets, including barges, factories, good trains, engine sheds and flak posts were attacked.
Five of our aircraft did not return from this operation, and though no definite details are known, it is assumed that they were shot down by concentrated flak experienced over the target area and over the coast. This was a black day for the Sqdn. Five pilots lost, when our total losses to date, over France, were 8 pilots for 50 enemy aircraft claimed.

1941-11-24 - 1941-11-26

Very little activity due to bad weather.

1941-11-27

P.M.
Sqdn took part in Roadstead operation. No encounter developed

1941-11-28

No flying. F/O. TOMANEK, P/O. SAWIAK, P/O. NAJBICZ, & Sgt. NAWROCKI arrived on posting. They have recently left O.T.U. and have not much experience. P/O. SAPIEHA arrived from R.A.F. BRAMCOTE for Interpreter duties. The present Interpreter Officer assumed duties of Engineer Officer of Sqdn.

1941-11-29 - 1941-11-30

Training flying only. “ZZ” Blind Approach.