Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-12-01

Northolt

3/10ths. Cloud at 10,000’ this morning; visibility very good.
At 10.00 hrs we took off for a sweep over the Nieuport – Hardelot area at 27,000’. The English coast was crossed over Bradwell Bay at 17.000’ and French coast over Nieuport. From there we flew over Ypres, N. of St. Omer and Boulogne. We were twice warned that Jerry was about, but saw nothing of him. Over mid-Channel on the return journey, we heard that he was over Boulogne. The Wing turned to intercept, but saw no sign of him. English coast was crossed between Dungeness and Folkestone. Squadron Leader Sawicz and F/O Wiza returned to base 15 mins earlier on account of slight engine trouble. The reminder of the Squadron landed at 11.50.
There were some practice dog-fights this afternoon.
F/Lt Krol arrived from 316 Squadron for Ops Room duties.

1942-12-02

Northolt

5/10ths cloud at 6,000’ and good visibility.
No operations today, but plenty of training – target shooting, dog fights, high altitude and local flying.

1942-12-03

Northolt

Thick fog all day – no flying.

1942-12-04

Northolt

Weather: haze up to 3,000’ but visibility very good higher up.
Rodeo 115, in the direction of Berck, Abbeville and Ault. We were up at 13.30 and crossed the English coast at Beachy Head nought feet. Flew for several minutes at sea level, then climbed to cross the French coast over Berck at 23,000’. We continued to the N. of Abbeville and recrossed the French coast Ault; then flew along the coast-line as far as Boulogne and turned for home. While over France, we had one warning of /e/a and met some ineffective flak near Boulogne. Otherwise, nothing of interest to report.
The only training today was in high altitude flying.
P/O J. Kowalski has gone to 58 O.T.U. for instructor duties.

1942-12-05

Northolt

4/10ths cloud and good visibility this morning.
Rodeo 124 over Cherbourg. The Squadron was off at 15.10, crossed the English coast over Ford and before reaching France was warned of 10 e/a to the W. We turned in that direction to investigate, but only saw 3 unidentified a/c disappearing into cloud far below. Just after leaving the coast on the return trip, we were warned of e/a to the south. Once more we turned to investigate, but saw nothing and made tracks for home, landing at 16.50. During this operation, we had 3 a/c on rescue readiness near the coast.

1942-12-06

Northolt

Ground haze this morning, but visibility otherwise good.
Circus 241. We were part of the covering wing for 18 Fortresses bombing Lille from 26,000’. We were off at 11.10 and met the bombers 5 miles E. of Dunkirk ¾ hr later. A few miles further on, one of the Forts was seen be on fire and broke formation. Owing to smoke over the target, we were unable to see any results of bombing. Coming home, over Cassel, we saw two F.W.190’s attack the Forts from ahead and above at great speed, but without affect. Two of our pilots had a squirt at the e/a, but were too far away to observe results. Some moderate flak came up from Hazebroucke, but otherwise the return trip was uneventful; we left the Forts over the English coast.
There was some local flying training today.
Three new pilots arrived from 58 O.T.U. – P/O Dubielecki, P/O Panek and P/O Sworniowski.

1942-12-07

Northolt

Ground haze this morning, but visibility otherwise good.
Training only – formation, low and local flying.

1942-12-08

Northolt

Same weather and same training programme as yesterday.

1942-12-09

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 6,000’, visibility good.
Rodeo over Beachy Head, Berck, St. Omer and Mardyck at 26,000’. We were off at 14.00, accompanied by 306 Squadron and two Spitfires of the S.S. Flight. The operation was quite uneventful, except for a warning of e/a over Dunkirk, which investigation failed locate. The Squadron landed at 15.00.
Training – formation and low flying.

1942-12-10

Northolt

Fog ruled out flying for the whole day.
The pilots had lectures on air navigation, military secrecy and searchlights co-operation.

1942-12-11

Northolt

Another blank day on account of fog.
Further lectures – night flying and airfield lighting.

1942-12-12

Northolt

Excellent visibility except for slight ground haze.
Circus 242, over Le Trepot and Grandvilliers at 26,000’. We took off at 11.10 and met the bombers over Hastings at 11.35. The formation crossed the French coast over Le Trepot, and we left the bombers over Grandvilliers. We immediately received warning of e/a coming from the S.E. but saw no sign of them. Later, on the way home, 6 unidentified a/c were seen far below and behind. We had 3 a/c on rescue readiness during this operation.
Training – target shooting and local flying.
P/O Kuryllowicz and P/O Semmerling have returned from the Officers course at gosford.

1942-12-13

Northolt

Fog and rain all day.
No flying except for two G.C.I. flights.

1942-12-14

Northolt

10/10ths the cloud at 4-8,000’, visibility good.
We sent out two patrols of 4 a/c each over Selsey Bill and Shoreham this morning, but they had nothing to report. In the afternoon, we took part in a Rodeo over Le Touquet at Dunkirk at 26,000’. The operation was completely uneventful.
Very little training today.

1942-12-15

Northolt

Haze and moderate visibility this morning.
No operations, but considerable training activity – target shooting over the sea, dog fights, formation and local flying.
F/O Gerlicz, who has been on the strength as supernumerary Adjutant, has gone to 18 O.T.U., and F/O Drecki has arrived from 58 O.T.U. for flying duties.

1942-12-16

Northolt

Fog all day – no flying.
The pilots were given aircraft recognition tests.

1942-12-17

Northolt

Still foggy – no flying.

1942-12-18

Northolt

The fog continues.
P/O Block arrived from 164 Squadron: he was previously on our strength.

1942-12-19

Northolt

Fog and rain – completely blank day.

1942-12-20

Northolt

5/10ths cloud at 10,000’ and good visibility.
Circus 244 over Rouen. We took off at 11.00 and made rendezvous with the bombers over Beachy Head. The French coast was crossed near Dieppe and we left the bombers S.E. of Rouen. At the same time we saw 12-14 FW.190’s, but they refused combat and got away before they could be engaged. Nothing else happened, except that we had to land at Kenley on account of bad visibility at Northolt. We had 3 a/c on rescue readiness during this operation.
Training – attacks, local and formation flying.

1942-12-21

Northolt

5/10ths cloud at 8,000’ – good visibility.
Training flying only – attacks, formation, low and local flying.

1942-12-22

Northolt

Fog clamped down again and made flying out of the question.
F/Lt Krol has been posted to 306 Squadron.

1942-12-23

Northolt

Hazy, with only moderate visibility.
No operational activity, but a little training in photo-attacks.
F/O K. Bokowiec arrived from H.Q. 11 Group, for Ops Room duties.

1942-12-24

Northolt

Similar weather to yesterday.
Training only – photo-attacks, G.C.I. and high flying.
This evening the Polish Christmas dinner was held in the Camp Theatre. W had as guests the Polish President (Mr. Raczkiewicz), the A.O.C. Fighter Command, the A.O.C. 11 Group, Air Vice Marshal Ujejski and the Count and Countess of Jersey, besides the wives of many officers and airman. Before dinner, greetings were exchanged in the traditional Polish manner, by the breaking of “oplatek” or communion wafers. Afterwards, carols were sung and the atmosphere became suitable festive.

1942-12-25

Northolt

Dreams of a white Christmas were not fulfilled; rather, the prevailing colour has been a dirty yellow. However, the fog failed to damp the Christmas spirit which was very much in evidence in the various messes, and at the Station dance held this evening.

1942-12-26

Northolt

The fog still hangs over us – in fact, hangs-overs are the order of the day.

1942-12-27 - 1942-12-28

Northolt

Two more completely blank days – fog as thick as ever.

1942-12-29

Northolt

10/10ths cloud at 10,000’, visibility good. At 13.50 we took off for a Rodeo, but owing to a delayed start and the 10/10th cloud, we lost the leading squadron (306) and the operaion was not carried out.
Training – formation, cloud flying, photo attacks and dog fights.

1942-12-30

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 2-4,000’ – visibility very good.
Circus 243 over Cherbourg at 25,000’. Leading the wing, we crossed the English coast at St. Catherine’s Point and the French coast near Querqueville. There were no incidents except for some very weak and inacourate flak from Cherbourg, and a glimpse of 5 FW.190’s disappearing into cloud far below. 3 of our a/c were on rescue readiness.
Training – local flying and photo attacks.
F/O W. Drecki arrived from 58 O.T.U., and F/Lt J. Wisniewski has gone to 317 Squadron for flight commander duties.

1942-12-31

Northolt

5/10ths clous at 18,000’ – visibility good.
This morning, we sent out three patrols of two a/c each over the Selsey Bill – Shoreham area, but they had nothing to report. At 13.55 we took off for Rodeo 140. We crossed the English coast at Newhaven and the French coast near Dieppe. 10 miles N. of Abbeville, we were told by Ops that some of our squadrons were engaged over Berck by 20 FW.190’s at 25,000’. When we arrived on the scene, we saw only 6 FW’s and 306 Squadron, who were with us, received orders to attack, while we were to provide top cover. Very soon we saw 4 FW’s trying to attack 306 from behind; 4 of our pilots went after them, but they escaped into the clouds. During this engagement, 306 Squadron shot down 2 e/a bringing the total destroyed by Polish fighter pilots to 501. Unfortunately, the lost 2 pilots at the same time, including F/Lt Gil who once a very popular member of our Squadron.