Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-02-01

Northolt

10/10ths cloud at 2,000’; strong wind with rain and bad visibility. Improvement later. Training flying only – 2 a/c air-to-air firing and one local flying.
F/O G. Mann posted today to Polish Deputy Inspectorate, and F/O W. Bucior, who was with us at Woodvale, arrived on posting from 122 Squadron.

1943-02-02

Northolt

Weather this morning; 6-8/10ths cloud at 15,000’; visibility good.
At 08.55, we took off for Circus 257, the target being Bruges. We made rendezvous with the 12 bombers over Clacton at 09.30, below 500’.This height was maintained for 10 minutes while the formation headed for the Belgian coast; then we climbed and crossed the coast at 12-13,000’ between Ostende and Blankenbourghe. The target was very clearly visible, though we did not see the bombs burst. No flak was seen. After the bombing, the whole formation made a left-hand turn and recrossed the coast near Knocke. Here, there was a little flak, accurate in direction, but well above us. After leaving the coast, the formation came down and recrossed the English coast near Clacton at 2,000’ at 10.32. No e/a were seen during the operation, although one or two warnings were received from Ops.
Two new pilots arrived today from 58 O.T.U. – F/Sgt Grondowski and Sgt Wlodarski. The former recently returned from Africa, where he had been ferrying aircraft, besides doing a certain amount of operational work.

1943-02-03

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 3,000’ this morning; good visibility.
Circus 258 was ordered, and we were off at 10.35; but we got no further than West Malling before we were recalled by Ops. on account of dirty weather. However, we tried again this afternoon, and this time the operation was carried out. The target was St.Omer, and we were airborne at 14.25, and crossed the coast at 14.50 over Deal at 22-25,000’. The French coast was crossed near Calais and we arrived over St. Omer two minutes early. We orbited the target, waiting for the bombers. They arrived , pursued by flak, and dropped their bombers. The return trip was quite eventful. West of Calais, we saw 4 FW.190’s going S.W. at 18,000’, 5 of the same breed coming from the East at 23,000’, and 7 more flying parallel to the Wing at 25,000’. We were ordered to climb and turn left into the sun, and the Huns, seeing that we were gaining height more quickly than they, turned to the right. 3 of them dived and the remaining 4 were attacked by us, while 306 went for the 5 which were coming from the East. However, these escaped, so 315 turned left and saw the formation of 7 e/a trying to attack 306. We went in immediately and a dog-fight developed. Two of our boys, P/o Blok and P/O Cwynar, each got a Hun for certain, and several other pilots had a squirt without seeing any result. P/O Blok’s machine was badly holed in the starboard wing by e/a which followed him as far as Manston. However, he made a perfect landing in spite of having the starboard aileron and flap us. Those on the ground wondered why he came in so fast, but stopped wondering when they saw the aircraft. We had no other casualties. One a/c was on rescue readiness near the coast during the operation.
In spite of Ops., there was time for a little training, and 2 a/c did air-to-sea firing. P/O Zielonka has returned from No. 1 Officers’ School, Cosford, where he has been on a four weeks’ course.

1943-02-04

Northolt

The day started with 10/10ths cloud at 4,000’ and visibility 1mile.
At 11.35, we took off for Rodeo 162 over St.Omer. At 12.00, we left the English coast near Hastings at 18,000’, and crossed the French coast S. of Hardelot at 22,000’. We orbited near St. Omer, and were warned that 12 e/a were in the neighbourhood at 22,000’. We started to climb, and saw the e/a turning into the sun. We were then at 31,000’, and saw no more of the Huns. We turned right in the direction of Cap Gris-Nez and here, after crossing the coast, turned left and saw 7 FW’s coming from south at 26,000’; but they were a long way off and we couldn’t stay to greet them. We turned right again and crossed our own coast over Dungeness at 31,000’. The only opposition during the whole trip was slight flak from St. Omer. 3 a/c were on rescue readiness near Deal.
Training – formation, photo-attacks and local flying.
P/O. E. Malczewski arrived today on posting from 164 Squadron. He was formerly on our strength for a considerable time.

1943-02-05

Northolt

10/10ths cloud at 4,000’; visibility 1 mile.
No ops. today, but some training – formation and air-to-air firing.

1943-02-06

Northolt

Weather unchanged.
Training – 4 a/c on air-to-air firing and 5 on formation and low attacks.

1943-02-07

Northolt

Still no change in the weather.
Rather more training today- 5 a/c practiced attacks, 14 did photo-attacks nad 4 did air-to-air firing.

1943-02-08

Northolt

Still cloudy with moderate visibility.
Training – 5 a/c on mock attacks, 5 on air-to-air firing and 5 on formation.

1943-02-09

Northolt

10/10ths cloud at 1,000’; strong wind and rain all day. No firing.

1943-02-10

Northolt

The day began with 10/10ths cloud at 5,000’, haze and moderate visibility, clearing later.
At 10.00, we took off for Circus 261 over Tricqueville. We flew low to the coast at Shoreham and continued at 0’ for 22 minutes. Then we climbed, and crossed the French coast S.W. of Trouville at 18,000’. We swept the Tricqueville area in the direction of Elboeuf, still climbing. Ops. warned us of 6 e/a in the neighbourhood, flying East at 12,000’, but we saw no sign of them. We changed course to the left and flew first to the West and then North to Polbec; then S.W. to the Seine Estuary. We flew along the coast to a point N.W. of Caen & having failed to pick up the bombers, set course for base, crossing the English coast near Shoreham at 11.35 and landing at 12.00. The operation had been completely uneventful. 3 a/c were on rescue readiness near Shoreham.
No more flying today except for local flying by 1 a/c.

1943-02-11

Northolt

10/10ths cloud at 4,000’; moderate visibility.
Training only – 4 a/c air-to-air firing and 2 local flying.
F/Lt. F Kornicki, commander of “A” Flight, was today posted to 308 Squadron as Commanding Officer. He had been with us since formation. His place has been taken by F/O S. Lukaszewicz from 317 Squadron.

1943-02-12

Northolt

9/10ths cloud at 3,000’; visibility 1 ½ miles.
One section was ordered to scramble over base at 11.35, but they landed at 12.20 with nothing to report.
Today’s training included navigation exercises by 12 pilots; 5 did formation practice,
2 photo-attacks and 2 air-to-sea firing.

1943-02-13

Northolt

Cloud this morning was 8-10/10ths at 3-8,000’, with good visibility.
Circus 262 was ordered, the target being Boulogne. Take-off was at 08.55, and we left the English coast near South foreland at 8,000’, climbing to 26,000’ to cross the French coast near Cap gris-Nez. Here we saw 8 FW’s flying on a parallel course at 18,000’. We gave chase, but the Huns escaped and we set course for home, crossing the French coast near Boulogne and the English coast near Dungeness. All our aircraft landed at 10.45.
At 13.25, we again took off for Circus 262. We crossed the English coast over South Foreland at 14.00, climbed, and crossed the French coast near Cap Gris-Nez 10 minutes later at 20,000’. A course was taken to the East of Boulogne, and here we were warned that e/a were to the North at 12,000’. We orbited a wide area over Le Touquet, but so no sign of any Huns. We then flew North and at 14.26, when West of Boulogne, we had a further warning of e/a behind us at 16,000’. Again we saw nothing, nor did the Hun appear when we got a third warning East of Boulogne. We set course for base and crossed the coast near Folkestone. Near Redhill, we saw the bombers flying North. We landed at 15.10.
Training – 6 a/c air-to-air firing, 6 air-to-sea, 8 practice attacks and 2 local flying.
F/O W. Drecki left today for No. 1. P.D.C., prior to going overseas.

1943-02-14

Northolt

9/10ths cloud at 3,000’; visibility 1 mile; strong wind.
Training only today. 5 pilots did air-to-sea firing, 6 did navigation exercises, 4 carried out photo-attacks and 1 practiced dusk landings.
F/O Z. Drybanski has gone to 306 Squadron as flight commander.

1943-02-15

Northolt

Today began with rather poor weather – 10/10ths cloud at 10,000’ and very changeable visibility.
Conditions improved, and at 13.10 we were off to take part in Circus 266 over Dunkirk and St. Omer. We passed low over the coast near South Foreland, then climbed to cross the French coast near Mardyck at 18-19,000’. We set course for St. Omer, then flew in the direction of Devres, where we saw 10 FW’s flying North at 10,000’. The Wing turned and flew parallel to the e/a, and over the Channel the Huns divided to attack; we did the same, orbited for position, and attacked. 2 of the e/a were destroyed by 306; we engaged several of them, but saw no results. When the fight was over, we turned for home, crossing the coast between Dover and North Foreland.
The only training today was formation flying by 12 aircraft.

1943-02-16

Northolt

3-5/10ths cloud at 7-8,000’; visibility good.
Rodeo 170 was carried out this afternoon. We took off at 16.15 and set course for Dungeness; owing to very strong wind, however, we drifted in the direction of Hastings. There we orbited to gain height and eventually crossed the coast near Dungeness at 16.48 at 25,000’. The French coast was crossed over Hardelot at 27,000’. When we were on third of the way across the Channel, we had been warned that e/a were orbiting Dunkirk; and as we neared the coast, we had another warning that they were concentrating over St. Omer at 20,000’. After we crossed the coast, a third warning came that Huns were over Boulogne and we were ordered to turn to the North. Near Marquise, at 27,000’, we saw 6 e/a flying East and 12 more behind them at 32-33,000’. We kept on our course, climbing all the time, and crossed the coast near Sangatte at 33-36,000’. Over the Channel, we turned left into the sun and saw 20 e/a just turning away to the South. Only two of our pilots had a chance to fire, and the distance was too great to see any results. All our aircraft landed at 17.50, except for two which came in a few minutes later.

1943-02-17

Northolt

This morning’s weather was 10/10ths cloud at 13,000’, with visibility 2 miles.
Circus 269 was laid on, the target being Dunkirk. We took off at 10.00, and crossed the coast 27 minutes later near North Foreland at 26-27,000’. Over mid-channel, we were told that the bombers were returning to base. We continued on our course, but owing to very bad weather (10/10ths at 10-14,000’), it was impossible to say exactly where we crossed the French coast; we believed it was near Dunkirk at about 10.36. Soon afterwards, we turned back, and crossed the English coast near Dover. There had been no incidents, and all landed safely at 11.35.
There was some training during the day – air-to-air firing by 7 a/c, while 2 did photo-attacks and 2 sector recco.
F/O B. Bak arrived today from the D.P.I.G. as supernumerary Adjutant.

1943-02-18

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 10,000’; visibility 2 miles.
Training only – 8 a/c formation flying, 2 local flying, 2 air-to-sea and 1 air-to-air firing.

1943-02-19

Northolt

Very little change in the weather, though cloud rather thinner and higher.
Again only training – 10 a/c in Squadron formation, 2 in photo-attacks and 2 local flying.

1943-02-20

to 1943-02-23
Northolt

Four days of completely non operation weather. Fog, of varying density kept everyone on the ground.
On the 21st, F/O Tarkowski left for Dundonald C.T.C., for a Combined Operations Instructor’s course. Heavy casualties are expected when he returns and demonstrates what he has learned.

1943-02-24

Northolt

For still hung around this morning, but it cleared later, and some flying was possible.
10 a/c did air-to-air firing, 7 high altitude, 4 photo-attacks and 3 local flying.

1943-02-25

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 7,000’; visibility 2 miles.
There was formation practice twice today – first by 12 a/c and again by 10, also air-to-air firing by 2 others. Ground training included recognitions tests and a talk on I.F.F.

1943-02-26

Northolt

Weather over here, 3/10ths at 5,000’; over the Channel, clear; over France, 6/10ths at 7-8,000’.
At 10.30, we took off for Circus 274, the target once more being Dunkirk. At 11.09 we were over the coast near Deal at 11,000’, and the French coast was crossed somewhere near Mardyck at 18,000’. At the same time, we saw the bombers and their escort leaving Dunkirk. We then swept along the coast as far as Cap Gris-Nez at 23,000’, then orbited and set course for home. We crossed the home shores near Dungeness at 11.40, and all landed at 12.40.
Circus 274 was repeated this afternoon. We were off at 14.50, and crossed the coat near South Foreland at 10,000’. We continued climbing towards Dunkirk, and at 15.33, when north of the target at 16,000’, saw the bombers coming from there. We crossed the coast 10 miles to the East, turned left, and flew over Mardyck and Cap Gris-Nez. Owing to R/T failure in the C.O’s aircraft, we lost touch with 306, and carried on alone. 10 miles South of Dover, we saw vapour trails, and climbed to 27,000’ to try identify the makers thereof; but they disappeared, and we crossed the English coast near Folkestone, where we linked up again with 306.
There was also some training during the day – 5 a/c did air-to-air firing, 2 photo-attacks and 1 aerobatics.

1943-02-27

Northolt

6/10ths cloud at 4-5,000’ this morning; visibility moderate.
At 16.10, 5 aircraft took off to patrol over Wembley Stadium during the International match between England and Wales. One gathers that the pilots would have preferred to fly Sikorsky helicopters on this occasion! The cockpit of a Spit at umpteen thousand feet is not recommended as the ideal vantage point from which to appreciate the finer points of the game, nor could baling-out be considered as a practical solution of the problem of getting a little closer to the game.
Todays’ training included air-to-air firing by 8 a/c, and air-to-sea by 3.
F/O Tarkowski returned from Dundonald, bursting (we hope) with gen.

1943-02-28

Northolt

Weather this morning was 6/10ths at 4-5,000’, with moderate visibility.
Training only, though quite a lot of it. 7 a/c did air-to-air firing, 12 practised squadron formation, and later 11 took part in Wing formation.