Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-02-01

Northolt

Snow fell during the whole the night and day. Fog reduced visibility to about 800 yards. “B” flight on readiness. No flying at all.

1942-02-021

Northolt

Another foggy day, with visibility about 500 yards, and about 4 inches of snow on the aerodrome. “A” Flight on readiness till midday. Sqdn. also provided 6 aircraft for night readiness duty, but were not called out.

1942-02-03

Northolt

In the morning, there was a fall of snow, which later turned to rain. Visibility about 800 yards. No. flying at all.

1942-02-04

Northolt

Further thaw, combined with ice on the runways, made aerodrome surface very treacherous. “B” Flight on readiness from midday. “B” flight carried out formation flying exercises. Proposed night flying training was cancelled owing to the bad weather conditions and the state of runways.

1942-02-05

Northolt

Slight fall of snow, freezing; 10/10ths cloud, ceiling 1200 feet. “A’” Flight on readiness until midday. “B” Flight carried out “ZZ” blind approach landing exercies and formation flying. Two sergeant pilots (Sgt. Krieger & Sgt. Kowalski) promoted to flight sergeant; the latter took part in the 1940 “Battle of Britain” as fighter pilot.

1942-02-06

Northolt

Weather continues much the same, with the exception of a much higher cloud ceiling. Sqdn. carried out formation flying.

1942-02-07

Northolt

Frosty morning with ground haze and 4/10ths cloud; later, the sun broke through and weather improved. Sqdn. carried out formation flying, air to air firing with cine-camera guns against P.P targets. In the afternoon; “A” Flight were on readiness duty. Night flying training was carried out at night.

1942-02-08

Northolt

A fresh morning with 10/10ths cloud and ceiling about 2000 ft. “B” Flight on readiness until midday. In the afternoon, cloud thinned to 4/10ths, and Sqdn. carried out air firing training against P.P. targets on Shoreham Range, formation flying, cloud flying and attack exercises with cine-gun.

1942-02-09

Northolt

A foggy morning, visibility about 500 yds. No flying at all. In the afternoon there was a clay pigeon shooting competition between the squadrons of the Wing. First place was won by 315 Sqdn. team, with 62 points out of a possible 75.

1942-02-10

Northolt

Cloud 9/10ths; thawing; haze, visibility about 500 yds. “B” Flight on readiness from midday. Until midday, Sqdn. carried out wing formation flying in conjuction with Nos. 303 & 316 Sqdns. Night flying training was cancelled owing to deterioration in weather.

1942-02-11

Northolt

Sunny weather with slight ground haze. “A” Flight on readiness till midday. In the afternoon, the Flight carried out formation flying and attack exercises with cine-gun. One aircraft carried out co-operation flying with searchlight.

1942-02-12

Northolt

10/10ths cloud, with visibility about 2500 yds. At 12.30, Sqdn took off with Polish Wing on an operational flight over Hawkinge to intercept enemy fighters which were providing cover to enemy shipping. The Wing patrolled for some time near Hawkinge, but no e/a were sighted. Instructions were received to vector 900, and after proceeding in this direction the Wing sighted seven ships near the French coast. Anticipating these ships to be the selected target, the Wing prepared to attack. On closer acquaintance, the shipping proved to be friendly, and base was informed. Then the Wing patrolled the French coast for a considerable time but, although base reported e/a in the vicinity, no e/a were sighted – finally Wing was ordered to return to base. On arriving at Northolt, refueling was immediately carried out and Sqdn. stayed at readiness, but were not required for further operational flights. In the afternoon, Sqdn. carried out cloud flying, practice attack with cine-gun, and air to air firing against P.P. targets at Shoreham Range. Today there was a ceremony of presenting colours to a Belgian sqdn. which flew to Northolt for the occasion.

1942-02-13

Northolt

Warm, sunny weather; cloud 3/10ths. At 11.15 Sqdn. took off with Polish Wing, to provide top cover for shipping reconnaissance, and was ordered to fly over Deal, Gravelines, Dunkirk, Ostende and Manson at 18,000 ft. One large ship and five or six smaller vessels were sighted, but no e/a. From midday, “A” Flight were on readiness and “B” Flight carried out air to air firing exercises at Bexhill Range.

1942-02-14

Northolt

Second fine day in succession. Up to midday “B” Flight were on readiness and “A” Flight performed aircraft decontamination exercies. At midday bombe protection exercises were carried out – Sqdn. acting as top cover to 12 Havoc bombers flying at 10,000 ft., with 316 Sqdn. as closer cover; 303 Sqdn. acted as e/a and endeavoured to attack bombers. One aircraft performed co-operation exercises with searchlight. F/O polek and Sgt. Semmerling arrived on posting from 58 O.T.U.

1942-02-15

Northolt

Foggy day, with 10/10ths cloud. No flying at all.

1942-02-16

Northolt

10/10ths cloud, but visibility increased to about 2500 yds. Sqdn. took off in morning for interception exercises with 303 Sqdn. above clouds. “B” Flight on readiness from midday. “A” Flight carried out cloud and formation flying exercises.

1942-02-17

Northolt

10/10ths cloud with ground haze, poor visibility (about 300 yds.). “A” Flight on readiness until midday. At 11.00 hrs. Wing Commander Rolski (W/Cdr. Flying) was decorated with D.S.O. by air Marshal Sir W. Sholto Douglas, in the presence of distinguished guests. After the decoration all three squadrons of the Polish Wing marched past, Air Marshal Sir W. Sholto Douglas taking the salute.

1942-02-18

Northolt

Cloudy weather in the morning, sunny later. “A” Flight carried out formation and cloud flying exercises.

1942-02-19

Northolt

Weather similar to yesterday. Sqdn. carried out formation flying, high altitude flying (32,000 and 37,000 ft.) and dog-fighting exercises with cine-gun. In the morning the funeral took place of F/O Feryer of 303 Sqdn., who was killed in a flying accident on the 14th February. In the afternoon “A” flight on readiness duty.

1942-02-20

Northolt

8/10ths cloud, slight ground haze. “B” Flight on readiness until midday. Flying training in the afternoon, including formation flying and low flying.

1942-02-21

Northolt

10/10ths cloud with frost. In the afternoon, weather improved and Sqdn. carried out formation flying, cloud and landing exercises.

1942-02-22

Northolt

7/10ths cloud, with frost. “B” Flight on readiness from midday. Air to air firing exercises at Dengie Flats cancelled. Some formation flying and dog-fight exercises with cine-gun were carried out.

1942-02-23

Northolt

10/10ths cloud, with visibility about 2500 yds. “A” Flight on readiness until midday. Cloud flying, formation flying, low flying and cine-gun exercises carried out in the afternoon.

1942-02-24

Northolt

10/10ths cloud, with ceiling 2000 ft. Sqdn. Performed formation flying, low flying and air to air firing exercises at Dengie Flats. Ground personnel did some firing at Station butts.

1942-02-25

Northolt

10/10ths cloud, ceiling about 1500 ft. “A” Flight on readiness until midday, in the afternoon, exercises in formation flying, cloud flying, photo, and low flying.

1942-02-26

Northolt

Cloud still 10/10ths, foggy, rather fresh. In the afternoon “B” Flight stayed on readiness duty and “A” Flight carried out low flying exercises.

1942-02-27

Northolt

No change in the weather in the morning. In the afternoon, weather improved. Air to air firing exercises were carried out at Dunwich Range.

1942-02-28

Northolt

A day similar to yesterday, with slight haze. Weather improved in the afternoon and Sqdn. was ordered to provide close escort cover to six Blenheim bombers on a “ramrod” operation. Sqdn. acted as middle escort, with 303 Sqdn. at 11,000 ft. and 316 Sqdn. at 13,000 ft. Rendezvous was made over Manston at 15.57 hrs. and the English coast was crossed at 16.07 hrs, Sixteen minutes later, the whole formation crossed the Belgian coast and proceeded towards the target area, Ostende Docks. Heavy and accurate flak was experienced near Ostende; several e/a were sighted, and made persistent annoying attacks, diving from above, in sections of two to six. The Wing, however, refused to be drawn, and though some aircraft sustained slight damage, no pilots were injured. F/O Gil was attacked by five Me 109’s, but took evasive action and succeeded in rejoining the formation. On leaving the target area and setting course for home, e/a made annoying attacks on the formation, which continued up to mid-Channel. Sgt. Adamiak observed a Spitfire diving towards the sea, trailing smoke, and later saw the pilot bale out. He immediately left formation and circled the pilot in spite of the danger of attack. He landed at Manston with only half a gallon of petrol in his tank. All other aircraft landed at Northolt between 17.20-17.30 hrs.