Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-09-01

Woodvale

The morning was very disapointing. Heavy mist prevented flying. Then it tried to rain, which helped to keep things unpleasant. In the afternoon, things cleared up a little, and the boys were able to do a spot of co-operation with the Beaufighters of 256 Squadron. They chased each other about all over the aerodrome. We were the “enemy”, and we made a low attacks on the aerodrome with Beaus chasing us – a good show, which pilots of both squadrons enjoyed immensely. There was no operational activity.

1942-09-02

Woodvale

It rained neacily all the morning. This kept the lads on the ground, but there was plenty of work to be done. Things had to be packed for our move to Northolt. Maps had to be found and handed over; sector R/T communication code cards had to be dug up and acounted for. Boxes had to be found for packing things. It must have been something like this before Noah set sail! Rain stopped in the afternoon long enough for some pilots to do dog-fights and mock attacks, but the weather soon clamped down again and put an end to flying. There was no operational activity.

1942-09-03

Woodvale

What a day! It rained very heavily indeed during the whole morning. So we packed – all hands to pumps! In spite of weather, some flying was done. During a few clear spots of weather in the afternoon, some pilots did local flying, but it was obviously unwise to go far from home.

1942-09-04

Woodvale

More rain, which stopped flying – and in some ways everybody welcomed a pause in the flying, to get things straight before the great move. So many things have to be remembered, and some things have to be extracted from pilots with a shoe-horn – e.g. maps, and above all, sector R/T code cards. One chalks up notice in English and Polish – “Have you given in your code card?” Slowly things come in.

1942-09-05

Woodvale

A dull morning – no flying. Things are packed into boxes to wait the transport plane which is to take them to Northolt. Still, the weather looks none too good. Between 13.45 and 14.35 one section was operational. Two Spits did a defensive patrol, orbiting bas, but nothing of interest was seen. Many people have already left by road and rail for Northolt, but the air party is likely to be delayed until tomorrow unless the weather clears. [Illegible].

1942-09-06

Northolt

A sunny day; and the air party arrives. We are now all at Northolt, with the exception of 11 pilots who have been left Woodvale as being not sufficiently experienced for operations over enemy territory. All were supernumerary. We are granted a few days of dispensation in which to get things straight. So begins the reverse of what we have just been doing at Woodvale, i.e. unpacking. Maps are obtained from the Sector Intelligence Officer; dispersals are made ship-shape; and the usual warnings and nomad map – one showing local balloon barrages and gun defended zones, low flying area, etc – are put up. The daily “gen” – letters and colours – are displayed, and intelligence is organised. F/O Sapieha, our former Interpreter Officer, who left us in April when the Squadron moved Woodvale, has joined us again.

1942-09-07

Northolt

A fine day after the morning mists had cleared. A busy day, too. In the morning the boys renewed acquaintance with the district, and did sector recco flying – particularly valuable to the young new pilots. There was still much unpack and house properly. In the afternoon the boys put up a fine show of formation flying. There was no operational flying, apart from some help in an Air Sea Rescue job. Between o9.50 and 11.30, F/O Najbicz, F/O Zajac and Sgt Malec were engaged in this duty. The pilot in the drink was picked up, we learned later.

1942-09-08

Northolt

A bright, sunny day, and our “dispensation” ceases rather abruptly. A Form D comes in in the morning, and we are to prepare for a Ramrod in the afternoon. Between 08.45 and 10.40, F/Lt Miksa and P/O Zielonka patrolled the area Beachy Head – Selsea Bill. There was nothing to report.
Ramrod 37. Northolt Polish Wing was to act as escort and cover to 6 Bostons. 11 Spitfires of 306 Squadron, 12 of 315 Squadron and S/Ldr [Illegible] took off from Northolt at 12.35. 12 of 308 and 12 of 302 took off from Heston at 12.35-6. They flew at below 500 ft to Selsea Bill, where rendezvous was made with the Bostons. Course was set towards France, the formation flying at sea level. 50 miles from English coast, the bombers started to climb, and our Wing with them (possibly too early!). 15 miles W. of Le Havre, the formation turned left, and as they approached Le Havre, received warning of e/a. After the first attack was made, our squadron was continually harassed by close attention from two groups of FW.190’s, one group below to port, and the other higher and to starboard. The latter attacked the squadron about 6 miles N. of Le Havre, and in the course of the ensuing dog-fights one F.W.190 was damaged by S/Ldr Wiorkiewicz. The e/a were seen at various times behind as the formation flew back towards England, but no more attacks took place, although the Wing was repeatedly warned. Nine aircraft of our squadron landed at 14.21, two other having returned earlier, while one pilot landed elsewhere and returned to Northolt later. Weather: England to mid-Channel, 7/10 cloud at 2,000 ft. The rest of the way, weather improved and was quite clear over France. Visibility was good. The Wing’s only claim for the job was the one FW.190 damaged by S/Ldr Wiorkiewicz. 302 Squadron lost two machines and two pilots.

1942-09-09

Northolt

The morning began dull and misty, and there was some rain. It was no morning for flying. In the afternoon the rain stopped, and both flights took advantage of the improvement, slight though it was, to do formation flying and mock attacks. It was all good practice, but the rain came again later in the afternoon and stopped everything. There was no operational activity, and the prevalent feeling was of anti-climax after yesterday’s activity.

1942-09-10

Northolt

There was haze in the morning. It was became quite autumnal already. This early haze plays the very devil with flying. About 10.00 hrs, “A” Flight went up for local flying and formation. Some boys did dog-fights. “B” Flight joined in the formation, and explored the low-flying area. In the afternoon both flights did more formation flying and low attacks. There was no operational activity. Circus 218 was laid on but cancelled.

1942-09-11

Northolt

Haze in the morning then brighter conditions. Mist hangs over the airfield here almost until noon. “B” flight did low target attacks in the morning. During the morning and early afternoon, four sections of three aircraft each co-operated with the Army in exercises “AIR”. The target was near Northolt, and the boys strafed troops. A.F.V’s and tanks. They love this sort of things. A detailed report was sent to the military, who seemed to be highly pleased with the show the boys put on for them. Later in the afternoon there was formation flying by both fighters. The was no operational activity.

1942-09-12

Northolt

Haze and some rain in the morning – not good flying conditions. Conditions cleared about 10.30, and there was squadron formation flying. In the afternoon, both flights again did squadron formation, but conditions were deteriorating and the Squadron was released at 15.00. There was again no operational activity.

1942-09-13

Northolt

Heavy mist hang over the airfield in the early morning. It thinned out and cleared about 10.30, and the boys went up on more formation flying. Those who did not take part were given a talk on aircraft recognition – mainly on the aircraft in Fighter Command’s “A” list. In the afternoon there was more formation and local flying. There was no operational activity.

1942-09-14

Northolt

Rain and mist in the morning., clearing to bright sunshine – uncertain weather, yet typically autumnal. It was possible to give some personal tuition in aircraft recognition in the morning. This method gives better results than the lecture method. Pilots are too diffident in confessing ignorance when they are in a [Illegible]; it is easier to help them and get at personal difficulties when they are alone. There was squadron formation flying in the morning and afternoon, but again no operational work.

1942-09-15

Northolt

The morning was misty, but an occasional gleam of sunshine gave promise of better things. A lecture on aircraft recognition was given to all pilots at Dispersal, followed by individual testing of several pilots. Types were restricted to those on Fighters Command List “A”. It was possible to do a little formation flying, and in the afternoon the weather cleared considerably, so more was done. P/O Żurakowski took up an aircraft on a test flight. Also in the afternoon there were photo attacks and some local flying. Weather clamped down again early.

1942-09-16

Northolt

The early morning mist cleared, but there was no sunshine. Visibility was quite good, however, and there was squadron formation flying in the morning . F/Lt Miksa flew to Heston, and P/O Zielonka and Sgt Lipinski each took up a kite for testing. Conditions did not improve in the afternoon. F/O Wyrozemski tested an aircraft; and F/O Najbicz and F/Sgt Matus did G.C.I. co-operation in the late afternoon. The days are getting very noticeable shorter. Weather clamped down early.

1942-09-17

Northolt

Early mist cleared, to leave an autumn morning – cold, with fair visibility. In the morning, P/O Zurakowski took the Engineer Officer to the Phillips & Powys Works at South Marston, in the Maggie, and also brought him back. F/O Tarkowski and P/O Cwynar, each too up an aircraft for testing. In the afternoon the boys went up an chased each other about in the clouds, and later did some formation flying. It was possible, during the day, to button-hole one or two pilots at Dispersal for individual instruction and testing in aircraft recognition. There was no operational activity.

1942-09-18

Northolt

The usual morning mist persisted longer than usual this morning, but it did eventually clear, and some weak sunshine made itself felt. This year’s autumn is not as good as last year’s - one feels that it is quickly giving way to an early winter. The boys did some formation flying in the late morning and in the afternoon. Some pilots did local flying later, and there were also photo attacks. F/Sgt Adamiak and Matus did G.C.I. co-operation. There was no operational activity.

1942-09-19

Northolt

The early morning mist was disappointing. Rain seemed to be around the corner, but conditions improved and the sun came out. P/O Jaworski took up an aircraft for test, and there were some mock attacks and dog-fights. In the afternoon there was local and formation flying and more dog fights. News has reached us that F/O Tarkowski is getting married next Saturday, and boys are planning a little party to celebrate the happy event. There is still no operational activity. The weather is very uncertain.

1942-09-20

Northolt

Mist was heavier than usual this morning, and at 09.00 hrs it began to rain. This continued intermittently throughout the day. It was a good day for aircraft recognition training, but not for flying. F/O Tarkowski managed, between showers, to get a kite up for testing in the afternoon, but what he said about the weather on landing can hardly be written here.

1942-09-21

Northolt

Rain – lots of it. The weather was completely non-operational, and the boys were rather bored. It was possible to secure a few victims for aircraft recognition tests, but the card games at Dispersal were far more attractive.

1942-09-22

Northolt

It was fine in the morning, and the boys were glad to get into the air again. There was formation flying by the whole squadron, and in the afternoon they paid a visit to the approved low flying area. “Fighter Night” was laid on for the squadron in the evening, but became obvious as darkness fell, bringing mist and showers, that very little would be possible beyond dusk landings and a little local flying.

1942-09-23

Northolt

Mist in the early morning gave way to rain. There were several sharp showers, and then a dry period, which the boys used to do some cloud flying. Visibility was good. Rain came down very after lunch, but cleared later and enabled the whole squadron to go up on squadron formation flying. There was no operational activity.

1942-09-24

Northolt

Bright sunshine in the morning, but the weather did not look reliable. The whole squadron spent a good deal of the morning doing squadron formation flying. There was more of this in the afternoon, and also mock attacks, the high spot of which was a brilliant display by S/Ldr Wiorkiewicz and F/Sgt Adamiak. The weather broke late in the afternoon. Rain came down heavily and a thunder-storm put an end to flying early in the evening.

1942-09-25

Northolt

The atmosphere seemed cleaner after the storm of the previous evening and night, but there were heavy clouds about and light was not good. P/O Zurakowski took up an aircraft for testing. F/Sgt Adamiak piloted F/O Wyrozemski to Heston in the Maggie, and they changed places for the return trip. Still, there was no stomach for flying. A lecture on aircraft recognition was given in the afternoon to whole squadron at Dispersal.

1942-09-26

Northolt

Weather was uncertain in the morning, but it locked as if conditions would clear. The squadron was ordered to Middle Wallop for readiness for what might have been a major job of work. 308 Squadron went from Heston. A Harrow took the Intelligence Officer of both squadrons, and the squadrons themselves arrived ad Middle Wallop about noon. They were briefed after lunch, and at 17.05, 12 Spits of each squadron took off to sweep the Cherbourg Peninsula area. They were recalled, however, owing to deterioration in the weather, and landed at Middle Wallop at 17.46, after an uneventful trip.

1942-09-27

Middle Wallop

The morning was disappointing. Everyone had hoped that the weather would be good, so that the job could forward. There was mist, and it did not clear. Pilots were under orders not leave camp, for reasons of security, and there seemed little to do. However, Inteligence organised a concert, which helped to pass away part of the morning. In the afternoon, the aerodroms was thoroughly explored. In the evening another concert was organised, and several officers living in the mass at Middle Wallop came to help. The boys delighted everybody with their rendering if Polish folk-songs. Singing went on till midnight.

1942-09-28

Middle Wallop

The morning was mist, though when that cleared it looked as if the day would be fine. News came, however, that the whole operation had been postponed indefinitely, and the squadron awaited favourable weather to return to Northolt. After lunch, both squadrons took off to return to their bases. They chose their weather well, because later in the afternoon dark clouds appeared, with mist, and the Anson which was to have left Northolt to bring the Intelligence Officers and technicians from Middle Wallop was unable to take off. Consequently, the Intelligence Officers returned in the evening by train. P/O Malczewski and P/O Blok left the squadron on posting to 504 Squasron, in N. Ireland.

1942-09-29

Northolt

A dirty day. Rain and mist made flying impossible. This was galling to the pilots after the apparent futility of their trip to Middle Wallop. Some pilots were given individual tests in aircraft recognition, in preparation for the examination to be held early in October.

1942-09-30

Northolt

In the morning, weather was still non-operational. A heavy mist hung low over the aerodrome, and the boys did no flying. In the afternoon, the mist lifted, and the squadron went up for formation flying. A lecture on I.F.F., C.H., G.C.I. and C.H.L. was given in the afternoon.