Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-08-01

Woodvale

The day had a disappointing beginning. Heavy clouds gathered, and there were intermittent rain showers throughout the morning. A programme of photo attacks was arranged in the hope that the weather would clear. This did not come off, however, and the programme had to be cancelled. About 14.30 hrs., however, the weather suddenly cleared, and there was bright, hot sunshine. Conditions deteriorated in the late evening, and rain came with darkness. There was no operational flying, and the boys for once obeyed the order to save patrol.

1942-08-02

Woodvale

Typical Bank Holiday weather! – intermittent rain all day, rising to crescendo in the afternoon and climax in the evening. It looked as if the airfield would be flooded by the deluge. In the morning the boys did some formation flying and mock attacks on barges, Between 16.38 and 16.45, Yellow Section did a defensive patrol, orbiting base below cloud. It was raining, and bad weather for flying, cloud being 10/10ths at 400 ft. The Squadron was released at 18.00 hrs. It was quite dark and the rain was exceptionally heavy.

1942-08-03

Woodvale

Intermittent rain. Visibility was poor all day. A slight improvement in the afternoon, enabled the boys to do some formation flying and low flying. Five boys went to Valley to hold the can until the new squadron was installed there. They left here at 17.35. We had a spot of excitement in the evening – Jerry was not far away. The five boys who were going to Valley were recalled when they had gone party of the way, and ordered to orbit the Macclesfiled region. They got into difficulties an the clouds and seem to have been chasing round like cats in long grass. They saw nothing, and returned to base at 19.05. Meanwhile, at 18.00 hrs, two more Spits, Green Section, were whistled up to hunt for Jerry. 20 minutes after take-off, one aircraft of Green Section had to return to base because of R/T trouble. His place was taken by another aircraft and hunt went on, the Section orbiting region bounded by Manchester, Todmorden & Blackwell. Visibility, poor enough before, was now deteriorating even further. These boys lost each other in the cloud, but pancaked at 19.15, having seen nothing. Eight operational sorties so far. Meanwhile, the boys who had originally set out for Valley were getting restive. Were they going to Valley later? What about supper? Contact was made with Controller, who thought visibility would improve, so the boys had supper and set out again for Valley about 20.30 hrs. Visibility improved and Blue Section Become operational in another defensive patrol between 19.50 and 20.20. Blue 1 orbited Wigan at 4-5,000 ft., but saw nothing, and landed at 20.10. Blue 2 orbited base below cloud. Cloud was 10/10ths at 6,000 ft.

1942-08-04

Woodvale

There were heavy clouds in the morning, and it certainly locked as if we were going to have more rain. There was squadron formation flying in the morning, and some chasing around in the sky. Blue Section did a defensive patrol between 12.45 and 13.35. Cloud was then 10/10ths at 10,000 ft. Visibility below cloud was good. Crange was orbited, then they went to Newcastle – Under – Lyne, and returned to base. White Section did a defensive patrol. Base was orbited at 10,000 ft, but nothing of interest was observed. Later, White and Black Sections did defensive patrols. White went up at 19.45 and landed at 20.30. Black went up at 19.55 and landed at 20.10. Cloud was 10/10ths at –7-8,000 ft. Visibility was good. Black orbited base at 5,000 ft and white at 29,000 ft. Nothing of interest was seen. A signal repeated from Valley indicates that two aircraft of Red Section were operational between 17.04 and 17.27 on a defensive patrol, with nothing of interest to report.

1942-08-05

Woodvale

Not a bad day – some cloud and wind. The boys took advantage of the wind, cloud and sunshine, to do a fair amount of cloud flying during the day. Between 14.30 and 15.45, Green Section was operational on a defensive patrol. They were directed north from base, and thence to Wrexham, which they orbited. Three Beaufighters were seen flitting around, but otherwise nothing of interest. Cloud was 6.10ths between 3-5,000 ft., and visibility was quite good. One section at Valley did defensive patrol over base between 21.35 and 22.30.

1942-08-06

Woodvale

There was a blanket of high cloud over base – about 10/10ths – early in the morning, and there was a practice scramble – probably to see if the boys were on their toes. But the matter of take-off in good time is treated as an integral part of squadron pride by these boys. If they are taxying down the runway 2 minutes after the order to scramble is given, they are satisfied. If it takes 4 minutes to do this, there is almost a day of national mouring!. There was a practice Hudson interception exercise today, and a practice Hudson interception composite engagement report was sent in tp Group. The report tells the story:- “Two Spitfires VB, Green Section, 315 Polish Squadron, led by F/O T. Andersz, left Woodvale at 09.10 hrs. on vector 350 at 2,500 ft. Off Squires Gate, Green 2 (Sgt W. Karasinski) spotted unknow aircraft ahead, and was ordered to investigate it by Green 1, who vectored 320 and saw Hudson 30 miles S.E. of the Isle Of Man, proceeding towards Blackpool. Green 1 wheeled to starboard, got on Hudson’s tail, and made mock attack from ¾ rear. Hudson turned sharply to port, and Green 1 broke away, followed vector 190, and was joined by Green 2, who reported investigated aircraft as a Botha. 30 miles N.E. of Anlessey, several Hudsons and Bothas were observed, and Green Section orbited for a few minutes, then returned to base. Cine-cameras were not used. Weather was 10/10ths cloud at 3,500 ft. Visibility below cloud was 15 miles. The controller was P/O Barker. No further report.” Section landed at 09.45. Why those boys did not use cine-cameras we cannot understand. Probably Ops did not make it perfectly clear to them what they were expected to do with Hudson. The other boys did low flying and mock attacks during the day.

1942-08-07

Woodvale

Rain pelted down all the morning. What rain one can get in this corner of England! It’s the kind one experience in Wales – a veritable deluge. Conditions became better after lunch. The sun came out and dried up things, and it became quite hot. The boys went off to do air firing in the afternoon, and there were also practice dog-fights. Weather deteriorated again in the evening.

1942-08-08

Woodvale

Early in the morning, it locked as though the clouds would blow away, and that we should have a nice day. When the wind died down, however, down came mist and a drizzle which made flying out of the question. After lunch, the rain became heavier, and as the day wore on, it increased and so flying was abandoned.

1942-08-09

Woodvale

The morning was bright and clear. There was just sharp, short shower. The usual of exchange was made with the boys who are at Valley. Five pilots left here for Valley in the morning, to relieve their comrades, who returned later in the morning from their spell of duty. There was air-to-ground (photo) firing in the morning, and more ground ground target attack practice operational at Valley – a defensive patrol between 13.05 and 13.15.

1942-08-10

Woodvale

A wretched morning – impossible for any training. It was dark and dull, with a thick blanket of low mist and cloud. The boys sat on their hunches and played cards, while the Intelligence Officer tried to interest them in the latest “gen”. Some read intelligence summaries. The afternoon was a little brighter. The boys did some cloud flying, and there was a marvellous display of squadron formation flying.

1942-08-11

Woodvale

The morning began with a gale which was followed by torrential rain. Flying was impossible. Obviously Nature is enforcing patrol economy! The early afternoon was a little better, and the boys found enough light to do some photo attacks and chasing around in the clouds, before the weather clamped down again with low and menacing clouds.

1942-08-12

Woodvale

High gale in the morning, but bright sunshine, so the boys did some more wizard formation flying. In the afternoon, the Squadron took part in a Combined Operation exercises, providing “close escort” for a practice strafe on Valley. Beaufighters of 256 Sqdn also co-operated. In the afternoon also, one Spitfire did a defensive patrol between 16.20 and 16.45. He was directed to the Kendal region and then back to base. He saw nothing of importance, and was rather bewildered that he should have been sent there at all. (Pilots always want to know why they are sent up, and the Intelligence Officer is sometimes put to it to find a convincing and soothing answer). There were thick cloud belts between 7,500 – 9,000 ft. Visibility out of cloud was very good. Yellow Section did a shipping protection patrol between 16.30 and 17.10, being over the convoy from 16.38 to 17.00. There were two convoys, one consisting of five ships and the other of more than seven. It was difficult to observe the second convoy owing to rain. There was 7”10ths cloud at 10,000 ft and visibility was only fair.

1942-08-13

Woodvale

Tomorrow will by the great day – Squadron day – and the boys will be busy today rehearsing for display. The morning was dull, but conditions improved in the afternoon, and the late evening was bright with the rays of the setting sun. At 20.00 hrs we had a parade, which was most impressive in its subtle blending of the military and the religious. The Countess of Jersey arrived in the evening. In the morning, the boys continued to polish their formation flying, and in the afternoon there were dog-fights. Between 13.25 and 14.30, Blue Section was operational. Base was orbited for a defensive patrol at 25,000 ft. There was 10/10hts cloud at 2,000 ft, but visibility was fair below cloud. There was nothing of interest to report.

1942-08-14

Woodvale

The great day at last – Squadron Day. It was bright and sunny. The Squadron went to mass in the early part of the morning, then came parade and award decorations, which were pinned on by Air Marshal Ujejski from Air Ministry. It was a pleasure to meet again pilots who have left the Squadron. There were also many civilian visitors. We were all glad to see the Countess of Jersey, our Squadron “Mother” again. After parade, guests took up their places to see the display of Squadron formation flying for which the boys have put in such a lot of work. It was well up to expectations. After the display, the pilots were congratulated by the Air Marshal and the Station Group Captain. Then – enter jerry. Green Section was the one concerned. This Section, led by F/Lt. Miksa, with Sgt. Malec as his Number 2, left Woodvale at 11.20 hrs. They were under Sector Control (Controller P/O Mills), and were vectored to a point about 10 miles N.E. of Amlwch, then N. to point about 15 miles N.E. of Clay Head, whence they were vectored E. After a few minutes they orbited at 29,000 ft and Freen 2 saw, at about V.D.4099, a Ju.88 proceeding in the direction of Borrow at about 22,000 ft and about 2 miles ahead on a converging course. Green 2 gave chase immediately, and called up Green 1, who was still in orbit, to tell him that he was chasing the Ju.88. Green 1 turned back and followed him. Green 2 dived to 22,000 ft and closed in on the e/a, the rear gunner of which opened fire at about 40 yds range, but his bullets all missed to starboard. At 350 yds. range, Green 2 fired, from ¾ astern and above, a burst of one second with cannon, and saw strikes on the root of e/a’s port wing. Then he gave a 2-seconds burst with M.G. alone, and saw strikes on the e/a’s port wing between the engine and wing root. Range was closing, and the pilot gave a burst of cannon, then M.G., and finally a burst of both combined. Ho thought his ammunition was now spent, and he dived away to port and climbed well above the e/a, the rear gunner of which had ceased firing. Green 2 now noticed oil droplets on his own cockpit cover, and white

1942-08-14

Woodvale

smoke pouring from the spinner. Soon the cockpit cover was sprayed all over with oil, and he opened it and saw the e/a below at 19,000 ft, proceeding in evasive weaves down in the direction of Barrow. Realising that his own machine was hit, Green 2 made for Squires Gate, where he landed safely at 12.18 hrs. He did not carry a cine-camera. Then Green 1 engaged the e/a and gave it a few gun squirts, but saw no strikes. He followed it down to 4,000 ft in the direction of the Barrow balloon barrage, pulled away as he saw the e/a enter the balloon barrage, and was given a vector towards Woodvale, where he landed safely at 12.40 hrs. He carried and used cine-camera. Between 12.25 and 13.15, Black Section did a defensive patrol. They proceeded on vector 280, orbited after a few minutes, which they orbited before returning to base. Altogether an exciting day!

1942-08-15

Woodvale

The morning was bright and full of promise for a sunny day. Later in the morning it became dull, and then in the afternoon it rained. Conditions improved just a little late in the evening. This morning, several of the boys set out to do air firing at Blackpool Range. On the way back, F/O Fiedorczuk met his death. An eye-witness reported that he saw the machine coming in low – about 10 ft above sea-level – from the sea. He was apparently trying to land on Birkdale sands. He hit a sand dune and the machine burst into flames. Fiedorczuk was splendid pilot, and every-body loved him.
There was no operational activity.

1942-08-16

Woodvale

A bright, sunny summer day, with excellent visibility – good flying weather. In the morning there was squadron formation flying at 25,000 ft. The boys had a good time. At 14.00 hrs the Squadron was told to stand by for a practice Wing exercise with 93 Squadron (in the original scheme, 452 Squadron from Andreas was to have participated). A sweep of N. Wales was intended. The boys were kept hanging about dispersals in their Mae Wets all afternoon. They were ordered up at 16.30 to rendezvous with 93 Squadron at Southport. At 16.45, Form D reached the Squadron Intelligence Officer!! The boys were ordered to pancake, and landed back at base at 17.00 hrs to refuel. The exercise would take place later – perhapd at 18.30. At 18.00 hrs, it was cancelled – a good day wasted. The Squadron is again commanded to maintain two sections at Valley, and four pilots flew there, leaving base at 19.35. two Sections were operational on defensive patrols during the day. Green took off at 12.30 and landed at 13.10; Black went up at 12.55 and landed at 13.30. There was 3/10ths cloud at 2,000 ft, but there were many windows, and cloud increased to 6/10ths towards 25,000 ft. Visibility out of cloud was maximum. Green Section was vectored 300, and after a few minutes, 290, then 298, and orbited. Ansons, Oxfords and Defiant were seen. Both pilots reported weak radio reception. Ops apparently believed that the R/T of one Green a/c was faulty, and another a/c was whistled up from base to take his place. Both Green a/c heard the word “pancake”, and returned to base just as the replacing a/c was getting up. So they all pancaked. Black Section orbited base at 25,000 ft. There was nothing of interest to report.

1942-08-17

Woodvale

Another bright, sunny day with excellent visibility. In the morning the boys did photo attacks. The light was excellent for photography. In the afternoon there were more mock attacks and practice dog-fights. Some boys left here for Valley to relieve their comrades there. There was no operational activity.

1942-08-18

Woodvale

A bright, sunny day – good visibility, but a little haze. On Sunday last, the boys had set their hearts on doing air firing at the Blackpool Range. The proposed Wing exercise put an end to their plans, so today they made up their minds to devote the day to air firing. They did firing morning and afternoon at Blackpool Range. We had an air raid warning in the morning – jerry was around but not too near. Two sections were operational here, Red and Yellow Sections. Red took off at 10.30 and landed at 11.54; Yellow went up at 11.10 and landed at 11.52. Over base there 8-10/10ths cloud at 26-26,000 ft, with many windows. Out of cloud, visibility was good. Yellow Section orbited base at 25-26,000 ft, and saw nothing. We saw great exhaust trails in the sky, left by the machines

1942-08-18

Woodvale

as they orbited. Red Section orbited area Llandudno to Bala, and also made a wide orbit of Llandudno out to sea. There was thin cloud and mist between 20-21,000 ft, and 5/10ths clod between 21-26,000 ft. The pilots of this section sometimes lost each other in the mist and cloud. They saw a convoy N.W. of Prestatyn, but nothing of Jerry. 2 Sections of the Squadron were also operational at Valley on defensive patrol.

1942-08-19

Woodvale

The morning began dull and cloudy. Just after 09.00 hrs it began to rain, and weather was hardly operational. There was no operational activity, and the boys went to the Photographic Section to see combat films and a recognition film.

1942-08-20

Woodvale

Early morning was disappointing – mist and clouds, but conditions cleared a little later, and became admirable for formation flying and mock attacks. In the afternoon, there was low flying and many mock dog-fights. Olszewski and Rembowski did sector reccos, and the usual exchange to relieve the boys at Valley was effected. Yellow Section was operational between 18.20 and 19.00. Prestatyn was orbited for 17 minutes at 5,000 ft. Four ships were seen near Liverpool, and a destroyer proceeding N.W. Weather was 5”ths cloud at 8,000 ft. Green Section was operational at Valley bwteeen 18.23 and 18.53. The Section was vectored to approximately 15 miles W. of base, and ordered to investigate Bogeys. These proved to be a Hudson and Wellington. Weather was 10/10ths cloud at 4,000 ft, with mist approaching from the E.

1942-08-21

Woodvale

The day began with some mist and cloud. The mist cleared, and the boys did some cloud, formation and low flying. In the afternoon they did airfiring. Weather deteriorated in the afternoon, but did not became non-operational. The boys were able to fly, but the weather locked as if it were going to break up. Altogether, an uneventful day, with no operational activity, though the boys were able to put in a fair amount of training. As darkness fell, it began to rain.

1942-08-22

Woodvale

Early morning was dull, with cloud and heavy mist, which cleared later. So the boys did cloud flying and mock attacks. In the early morning, Black Section was operational at Valley, between 05.34 and 06.14. The Section patrolled base below cloud, but saw nothing of importance. Clouds were 5/10ths at 3,000 ft and 10/10ths at 7,000 ft. Visibility was about 3 miles. The usual exchange was made with pilots at Valley in the afternoon. Then came the rain – a veritable deluge, which made great pools of water over aerodrome. Flying shut down.

1942-08-23

Woodvale

The morning began with mist and low visibility. Black Section (F/O Sawiak & Sgt Lisowski) took off from Valley at 07.57, with orders to patrol Bardsey at 15,000 ft. in taking off, Sgt Lisowski ran into the sand and his a/c tipped on its nose. He off in a second a/c at 08.05 hrs. The Section was now ordered to intercept Raid 134. Black 2 (Sgt Lisowski) did not see his leader, because of his delayed take-off. Black 1 tally-ho’d at 08.34, after which R/T communication was broken off. The point combat was given by Operations as I.O.2379. Black 2 ran out of petrol and was ordered to land at Bally Halbert, which he did at approximately 09.30 hrs. He took of fro Bally Halbert at 13.hrs, and landed at Valley at 13.30. Black 2 said that pilots of a section ordered up from Bally Halbert saw Black 1 break away from combat at about 500 ft, and that, as they did not experience return fire, they assumed that Black 1 had killed the rear gunner of the Ju.88. they attacked the Ju.88 themselves, but could give no reason why Black 1 broke away, nor did they know what happened to him afterwards. Black 2 said that he did not see the e/a, and he was not interrogated at Bally Halbert. Valley Controller stated that Black 1 crash-landed near Dublin, and was taken to hospital badly injured, afterwards dying from his wounds.
Weather was 10/10ths cloud

1942-08-23

Woodvale

from 1-8,00 ft, and from 9-10,000 ft. Above cloud, there was good visibility, but below cloud visibility was poor. It was learned later that the Ju.88 crash-landed in S. Ireland. Red Section was operational between 08.10 and 09.15. they climbed to 20,000 ft over base, and were vectored 2600. After 10 minutes on this course they orbited and returned to base. There was nothing of interest to report. Blue Section was operational between 14.05 and 15.20. The Section orbited base, was vectored 3200, and after 15 minutes received 030, and after flying for a few minutes on this course, orbited at 9,000 ft. and was then ordered to pancake. Nothing of interest was seen. Cloud was 10/10ths at 7,000 ft. During the day there was cloud flying in the morning and low flying with mock attacks in the afternoon.

1942-08-24

Woodvale

There was rain and mist in the morning – a drizzling rain – hardly operational weather. Conditions improved somewhat in the afternoon. Between 15.10 and 16.00, Red Section was operational. Blue was orbited at 15,000 ft, but there was nothing of interest to report. Weather was 9/10ths cloud from 3,000-4,500 ft, with fair visibility. The boys were glad to be able to fly in the afternoon, and did formation flying and low attacks. Weather deteriorated later.

1942-08-25

Woodvale

The morning was dull, with some rain – non operational. A low hanging mist, with drizzle, kept the boys grounded. Conditions improved a little in the afternoon, and the boys did some low flying and formation flying. 2 new pilots did practice landings on aerodrome. The usual exchange of pilots at Valley was made in the afternoon. There was no operational activity.

1942-08-26

Woodvale

The morning was dull and wet, with promise of better weather. The funeral of F/O Sawiak took place in the morning. F/O Tarkowski did ZZ practice, and in the afternoon, as weather improved, there was some cloud flying, with mock attacks. The weather held into the late evening, and the boys did dusk landings.

1942-08-27

Woodvale

The morning was dull, with mist and cloud, and it was insufferably close. The weather was unsuitable for training. However, conditions improved in the afternoon, and the new pilots did local flying, and most of the boys did formation flying, with mock attacks and low flying. There was a little night flying. No operational activity.

1942-08-28

Woodvale

There was heavy mist all the morning, and it was very close – quite unsuitable for training. After lunch was heavy mist cleared and the sun broke through, hot and brilliant. There was more formation and low flying in the early afternoon, and a Wing exercise in the late afternoon. There was no operational activity.

1942-08-29

Woodvale

This was a day of heavy rain. In between the showers in the morning, the boys managed to get in a little formation flying, but conditions deteriorated, and it simply pored. Sgt. Chudek and F/O Tarkowski were operational today between 08.55 and 09.45. They orbited base at 15,000 ft, and pancaked having seen nothing of importance. Visibility was bad.

1942-08-30

Woodvale

Weather was bad. A low mist hung over aerodrome in the morning. Early in the afternoon it locked as if it might clear, but rain came and it became dark early. Night flying was cancelled. No operational activity. The boys hate to be grounded by the weather.

1942-08-31

Woodvale

Weather was a little better, after the usual morning mist had lifted. The boys did cloud flying in the morning. In the afternoon there was formation and low flying, and usual exchange of pilots at Valley was made. The boys who were at Valley were glad to get “home”. An uneventful day, with no operational activity.