Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-03-01

Northolt

This morning’s weather was 5/10ths cloud at 3-4,000’, with moderate visibility.
Training only today – squadron formation by 11 aircraft, photo-attacks, etc.
P/O K. Morski arrived today on posting from 306 Sqdn as supernumerary Engineer Officer, F/Lt Jarosz, our M.O., has gone to 11 A.C.M.B., Edinburgh, for a month’s duty.

1943-03-02

Northolt

Hazy today, with only moderate visibility.
Training only again – air-to-air firing and photo-attacks.

1943-03-03

Northolt

Similar weather to yesterday.
Only very little flying – aircraft tests and Z.Z. practice. All available pilots were given an aircraft recognition test.

1943-03-04

Northolt

Ground haze this morning, with 7/20ths cloud at 4,000’. Visibility good above haze.
At 10.15, the Squadron scrambled and patrolled over the Dungeness – Dover area. There was nothing to report, and all landed at 11.55.
Training – photo-attacks by 8 aircraft.

1943-03-05

Northolt

Hazy again this morning, but the weather cleared later and visibility became very good.
Again only training – photo-attacks, dog-fights and aerobatics.
F/Sgt Matus has gone to Charmy Down for a 3-weeks fighter leader’s course.

1943-03-06

Northolt

Weather very much the same.
The only flying consisted of a few practice attacks and some formation.
P/O R. Dubielecki is attached to 1530 Flight for the B.A.T. Course.

1943-03-07

Northolt

Weather – haze up to 3,000’, but very clear above that height.
At 10.30, 11 aircraft scrambled and patrolled base, but landed half an hour later with nothing to report. This afternoon, we took part in Rodeo 175 over St. Omer. Take-off was at 15.00. Before crossing the English coast, the squadrons separated; we crossed near Rye at 24,000’, and the French coast near Berck at 29,000’. From there, we flew to Betmine, S.W. of St. Omer, S. Of Calais, then a left turn and back to St. Omer. On the return trip, we crossed the French coast E. of Calais and the English between Deal and Remagate. The operation was quite uneventful.
Training – photo-attacks by 6 aircraft.
F/O J. Blazejewski, our Engineer Officer, has gone to Rolls Royce, Derby, for a two-weeks course on the handling of Griffon engines.

1943-03-08

Northolt

The weather this morning was 7/10ths cloud at 2,000’, with good visibility.
This afternoon, we took part in Ramrod 40, the target being Cherbourg. We took off at 13.35 and crossed the coast near Selsey Bill at 19,000’. The French coast was crossed W. of Isigny at 14.58 and 26-27,000’. There, we saw the bombers and their escort coming from the S. At 24,000’, and we turned left and approached them. Just as the formation was leaving the coast of France, 306 Sqdn saw 3 Fw.190’s attacking one “box” of Fortresses from ahead and below. One of the Forts began to lose height, with smoke pouring from two engines, and finally ditched 40 miles S. Of Selsey Bill. 306 Sqdn stayed behind to patrol the area, and rest of the formation returned to base without incident.
The only training today was photo-attacks by 3 aircraft.

1943-03-09

Northolt

There was 5/10ths cloud at 4,000’ this morning, and good visibility.
This afternoon, there were three patrols by a total of six aircraft. The first section was airborne from 14.45 to 16.45, the second from 16.00 to 17.40 and the third from 16.55 to 18.10. None of them had anything to report.
Earlier in the day, there was quite a lot of training; 22 sorties were made for photo-attacks, while 5 aircraft did formation and 2 local flying.

1943-03-10

Northolt

Weather: W. of line from Shoreham to Caen, cloud was 10/10ths, with heavy stratosphere cloud at 34,000’ and vapour trails at 29,000’.
At 13.30 the Squadron took of for Rodeo 180, over Trouville – Fecamp. The English coast was crossed near Shoreham at 13.46. For 12 minutes we flew at 0 ft, then climbed to cross the French coast 10 miles W. of Trouville at 22-24,000’. Here, we were warned of 10 e/a coming from SE at 15,000’, and when 20 miles S. of Trouville, saw a number of e/a far below us. From there, we flew to Bolbeo and recrossed the coast near Dieppe at 14.45, between 25-27,000’. There were no incidents, and all landed at 15.20.
At 16.30 we were off again, this time for Rodeo 182 over Le Trepot and Mardelot. We left the coast near Hastings 35 minutes later at 20,000’. After orbiting for 5 minutes, a course was set for France, and we made landfall over Le Trepot at 17.15 at 24,000’, flying S.E. 10 miles from Amiens, we turned left, and received a warning of e/a ahead of us at 25,000’. We set course to meet them, and began to climb. Then Ops asked if we could go to the help of the Biggin Hill Wing, which was engaging the Hun. The Wing Commander agreed to do this, and was given course 030º. When we were at 30,000’ near Berck, we saw about 30 vapour trails at 30,000’, approaching very fast from the N.E. in a direction which would have taken them to our rear. Seeing this, the Wing turned W. over the sea, being then at 38-39,000’ and higher than the approaching aircraft. But we could not identify them, owing to ice on our windscreens. We did notice, however, that they turned left and flew to the S.
We then returned to base, crossing the coast near Beachy Head.
Today’s training consisted of photo-attacks by 8 aircraft.

1943-03-11

Northolt

The day started with 4/10ths cloud at 8-10,000’, and visibility 3 miles.
At 14.20 there was a scramble, and 9 aircraft patrolled over Mayfield; they returned at 15.45 with nothing to report. 55 minutes later, they were off again, and this time the patrol was over the Beachy Head area. Again there was nothing to report, and all landed at 19.25.
Earlier in the day, 12 aircraft did photo-attacks, 5 formation and 1 G.C.I. co-operation.

1943-03-12

Northolt

3/10ths cloud at 10,000’ and good visibility.
10 aircraft scrambled at 07.35 and patrolled over Southend. They landed at 09.35 with nothing to report.
At 11.45 we were off to take part in Ramrod 42, the target being Rouen. Rendezvous was made with the Fortresses over Beachy Head, and at 12.12 course was set for the target, with 316 Sqdn as close cover and 315 providing top cover at 26,000’. We crossed the French coast E. of Fecamp at 12.35, and turned left after reaching the Seine near Caudebec-en-Caux. At 12.45 the bombers dropped their load, flying in from the N. Just before arriving over the target, we were warned of 3 e/1 at 10,000’, but saw nothing. After crossing the target, and when 20 miles S.W. of Rouen, we saw 6 FW’s far away to the N. flying S.E. At the same time, a dog-fight was probably going on high above us, because we could see vapour trails. Ops warned us of 12 e/a over Le Havre at 18,000’, and when we arrived over the Seine, 2 Me.109’s F or G attacked our formation from below. One of them was promptly shot down by 316. Then 6 more e/a (FW’s) tried to join in, but were chased off. We crossed the French coast E. of Etretat, where we saw 2 Me’s flying E. These also were chased off.
In mid-Channel, a solitary FW was seen flying parallel to our formation. He turned and tried to attacks the Forts from behind, but a section of 316 soon accounted for him.
We crossed the English Coast neat Beachy Head and landed at base at 13.45.
There was no other flying today, except for one or two local and test flights.
P/O Dubielecki returned from the B.A.T. course.

1943-03-13

Northolt

Weather: 10/10ths cloud at 25,000’; clearer over the Channel; and over France, haze and 3/10ths cirrus cloud at 27,000’.
At. 12.20 one section scrambled, but landed at 13.30 with nothing to report.
In the afternoon we took part in Ramrod 43, with Amiens as the target. We took off at 14.00 and crossed the coast near Dungeness at 26-27,000’ half an hour later, at the same time making rendezvous with the bombers. The whole formation flew S. and crossed the French coast W. of Dieppe. To the S. of Dieppe, we changed course to S.S.E., and 5 minutes later received a warning that 12 or more e/a were coming from the S.W. at 30,000’, but we saw no sign of them. Near Gisors, the formation turned left and flew N.E. During this turn, S/Ldr Szczesny saw 4 Spits attacking an unidentified e/a, which dived steeply with smoke pouring from it. In the vicinity of Grandvilliers, we were ordered to concentrate on the left wing of the bombers and to take course 340º. Almost immediately 4 Me.109’s F or G attacked the Forts from above and from the right. Shortly afterwards, 2 Me’s came at 315 from the right, and one of them appeared to cripple the machine P/O Sommerling. It is thought that he baled out, since a parachute was seen about this time. One of the Me’s was attacked by 3 or 4 FW.190’s, one of which they destroyed. The squadrons then turned for home, crossing the coast near Shoreham, and landing at 16.15.
There was no training flying today.

1943-03-14

Northolt

Visibility only moderate today, with haze up to 28,000’, and vapour trails at 25,000’. This morning 4 sections scrambled and patrolled over Maidstone. The first was airborne from 07.10 to 08.45, the second from 08.05 to 09.40, the third from 09.00 to 10.50 and thee fourth from 10.00 to 11.10. None of them had anything to report.
At 12.30 the Squadron took off for Rodeo 184 over Abbeville. At 13.00 we were over the coast near Hastings, and the French coast was crossed 15 miles N.E. of Dieppe at 24-26,000’. From there a sweep was carried out over the Abbeville-Berck area, but no incidents took place, and we returned to base, crossing the coast near Dungeness at 13.40 and landing at 14.10.
There were more scrambles in the evening, by 4 sections which were airborne from 15.40-17.30, 16.45-18.35, 17.45-19.35 and 18.40-19.30. The first, second and fourths sections patrolled over Redhill and Dover, and the third over The Selsey Bill area. There was nothing to report.

1943-03-15

Northolt

Fog this morning, clearing later to give 1 mile visibility.
Training only – 9 aircraft practiced formation and photo-attacks.

1943-03-16

Northolt

Similar weather, and the same training programme with the addition of air-to-air firing by pilots.

1943-03-17

Northolt

Still no change in the weather, and only three training sorties – for photo-attacks.

1943-03-18

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 3-4,000’; visibility 2 miles.
The Squadron scrambled over base at 12.00, but landed at 12.55 with nothing to report.
The only training consisted of photo attacks by 6 aircraft.

1943-03-19

Northolt

4/10ths cloud at 6-8,000’; visibility good.
Training only – 9 aircraft practiced formation, and there were 16 sorties for air-to-air firing.

1943-03-20

Northolt

Haze and only moderate visibility.
Two sections scrambled this afternoon, the first from 16.00 to 17.30 and the second from 16.45 to 18.00. They had nothing to report.
There was no other flying today.
F/O Blazejewski returned from the Griffon engines course at Derby.

1943-03-21

Northolt

A completely blank day on account of fog.

1943-03-22

Northolt

Hazy, with poor ground visibility this morning.
Training – 11 aircraft practiced formation, 2 did air-to-air firing and 2 photo-attacks.

1943-03-23

Northolt

Another blank day with weather too hazy for flying.

1943-03-24

Northolt

Still hazy, and the only flying was by two aircraft which went to Exeter.
F/Sgt Lipinski was today posted to 58 O.T.U. for instructor duties.

1943-03-25

Northolt

10/10ths cloud at 8,000’; visibility good.
At 16.35 we took of Rodeo 194 over St. Omer. We left the coast near Beachy Head at Boulogne we ran into heavy cumulus clouds. From there, we swept over St. Omer, Dunkirk and along the coast to Cap Gris-Nez. Near Sargatte, we had a warning of e/a at 2,000’, but saw no sign of them. Half-way across the Channel on the return journey, we were warned that 20 e/a were in the vicinity at 20,000’. The Wing Commander gave the order to go down to 5,000’, and we crossed the English coast near Dover without incident, landing at 18.30.
Today’s training consisted of a small amount of air-to-sea firing.

1943-03-26

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 5-6,000’; visibility 2 miles.
No operations today, but plenty of training. There were 14 sorties for navigation exercised, while 12 aircraft did formation flying and photo-attacks.

1943-03-27

Northolt

A foggy day, with no chance of flying.
The pilots had a talk on infantry co-operation.
F/Sgt Matus returned from the fighter leader’s course at Charmy Down.

1943-03-28

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 4,000’ this morning; visibility good.
At midday the Squadron took off for Ramrod 48, Rouen being the target. We reached Beachy Head, which was the rendezvous point, but saw no sign of the Fortresses. After orbiting a few time, we were ordered to land, but at the moment the bombers were seen flying S. in two small formations. We joined one of them and flew towards the French coast, but 10 miles from the coast they turned and set course for home. We followed, left them in mid-Channel, and after orbiting once, returned to base, landing at 13.45.
Training – 5 aircraft did air-to-air firing and 3 photo attacks.

1943-03-29

Northolt

The day started with 10/10ths cloud at 1,500’, but there was considerably improvement later.
We were ordered to take part in Circus 277, the target being St. Omer. Take-off was at 12.55, and we crossed the coast near Dungeness at 1,000’, then climbed to cross the coast of France near Ambleteuse at 24,000’. From there we flew on to St. Omer, where we turned left and joined up with 316 Sqdn, 10-15 miles S. of Mardyck. From there, the Wing went in the direction of Calais, then N. of Boulogne, and so back to base via N. Foreland and Bradwell Bay. There had been no encounters with e/a.
Very little training – 2 pilots air-to-air firing and 1 local flying.

1943-03-30

Northolt

8/10ths cloud at 5,000’; visibility good.
This afternoon there were two scrambles. In each case 5 aircraft patrolled over Tenterden, the first from 12.20-14.10 and the second from 13.15-14.55. There was nothing to report.

1943-03-31

Northolt

10/10ths cloud at 28,000’; visibility good. Ramrod 47 was ordered, with Ostende as the target. We took off at 10.40, and crossed the coast near Harwich at 11.05, escorting Fortresses. The formation flew to a point 15 miles N. of Dunkirk, where the Forts turned left. We crossed the coast near Ostende at 11.18, at 27,000’. 10 miles further on, we were warned of the presence of 6 e/a at 15-20,000’ near Ostende. They were seen for a moment, flying parallel to us, but soon disappeared. About 10 miles N. of Lille, we turned right, and when near Bailleu, noticed 6 aircraft making vapour trails. Shortly afterwards, we saw 20 FW.190’s climbing over Lille. We at once began to climb also, and quickly got into a more favourable position, but we lost sight of the Huns a little while later. We left the French coast near Cap Gris-Nez at 11.43, at 27-28,000’, and recrossed the English coast N. of Dungeness. The only flak seen was some very weak and inaccurate stuff from the direction of Calais. We landed at 12.25.
The only other flying today consisted of 5 test flights and air-to-air firing by 4 pilots.