Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-04-01

Northolt

A gloomy day, with low Cloud. Two sections scrambled this morning, the first at 07.15 and the second at 08.35. Both patrolled over Tangmere, but returned in less than an hour with nothing to report. There was a little training later in the day, including air-to-air firing, cloud flaming, photo-attacks and cross-country.

1943-04-02

Northolt

Another dull morning, but the weather bright tened later, and there was some navigation practice. Between 13.55 and 19.50, three sections in turn were airborne to patrol over the South Coast, but none of them had anything to report.

1943-04-03

Northolt

Weather squally but bright. At 13.30 one section took of to patrol over Shoreham. One pilot returned after half an hour with engine trouble; the other landed at 14.30, after an uneventful patrol.
Rodeo 191. ten aircraft took off at 15.20; they were out over Shoreham and in over Havre at 27,000’. Ops warned that 8 FW’s were orbitting a Hun A.S.R. boat near Dieppe. They were located eventually, but made off before they could be attacked. The boat headed for Dieppe. There were no other incidents. One flight returned to base, and the other landed at coastal airfields and returned later. Cloud was 8/10 at 4,000’ to 5 miles S. of the English coast. Sgt Lisowski returned to the Squadron after a period with English squadrons.

1943-04-04

Northolt

Between 08.50 and 12.10 this morning, three sections were out patrolling the Mayfield and Beachy Head areas; they saw nothing interest.
Ramrod 51. Ten pilots took off at 13.35, including S/Ld Szczesny, the Sector Tactical Officer. We were providing second withdrawal cover to 70 Forts bombing Billancourt. We were out E.off Beachy Head at 25,000’ and made landfall at the same height. When turning to escort the returning bombers near Rouen, two of over machines collided – F/Lt Lukasiewicz and P/O Panek- and ware seen not again. F/O Andersz shot down a FW which was about two attack the Forts. Later, when the Wing was jumped by 15 FW’s, two e/a were damaged by S/L Sawicz and F/Sgt Matus, and two more were seen to collide. A Spit was seen diving minus a wing. More e/a were seen below on a similar course, but there were no further combats. Al together, we lost four pilots, for in addition to the two who collided, S/Ld Szczesny and Sgt Ostrowski failed to return. Landfall was over Selsey Bill. Weather over the Channel was clear. There was a small amount of training –air-to-air firings and photo-attacks.

1943-04-05

Northolt

There is some good news today, to lighten the gloom caused by yesterday’s losses. We here heard that F/O Semmerling, who was missing on April 4th, has reached Spain, and there is good reason to hope that he may get back to this country eventually.
Ramrod 52. At 14.30, [1] aircraft took of as second fighter cover to Forts bombing Antwerp.
We climbed from base, and were out over Manston at 21,000’. The bombers were met over mid-Channel, and we escorted the rear box a’t 25,000’ , making landfall near Ostende. Some flak seen near Bruges, and small groups of FW’s some of which attacked the Forts without result, Near St. Nicholas the Wing left the bombers, and splitting to avoid flak re-formed to cross the coast near Knooke at 15.30. Some Liberators were seen, flying East. Landfall was made N. of Deal one aircraft landing at Manston. Weather was clear over the Channel and France. Quite a number of postings today – F/O Urban and F/O Stutzmann to the newly-formed 318 Sqdn., and F/O Goluchowski ,our Defence Officer, to 18 O.T.U. His place to be taken by our former Defence Officer, F/O Jasinski, from the Polish T.T.S. , Halton. F/O Andersz is promoted to the command of “A” Flight in place of F/Lt. Lukaszewicz.

1943-04-06

Northolt

From dawn till midday, 5 sections in turn patrolled the Horsham-Deal area; none of them had anything to report.
Circus 279. Eight aircraft took of at 14.40 as first fighter echelon to 8 Bomphoons on St. Omer. We flew at zero feet to S. of Chatham, and were out N. Foreland at 21,000’. Landfall was over Gravelines at 24,000’. We swept the St. Omer area and met 316, then flew out at the same height S. Ambleteuse, having seen no e/a flak or Bomphoons. Landfall was near Dover. Cloud over France was 6/10 at 10,000’.
There was some air-to-air firing, photo-attacks and formations flying during the day. An item of interest today was the first discharge of an American airman on transfer to the U.S Army Air Corps. He is in the first group of eight U.S. citizens to be transferred from the Polish Air Force.

1943-04-07

Northolt

A dirty day, and the only activity was a patrol over Horsham and mitdday. There was nothing to report.

1943-04-08

Northolt

Ramrod 54. At 14.55 10 aircraft took off as second fighter echelon to 8 Bomphoons attacking Caen. Sea level was maintained for 9 minutes from Selsey Bill, and Landfall was made N.E of Isigny at 24,00’. The Squadron swept over Caen, Havre Fecamp and back to Selsey without seeing any e/a, flak or bombing. Cloud over the Channel and France was 6-9/10. Landed 16.50.
Ramrod 55. This operation started at 18.50, when 9 aircraft took off to provide cover for 8 Bomphoons detailed to attack Tricqueville airfield. We flew at sea level for 10 minutes from Shoreham, and were warned of e/a over Rouen at 20,000’. We accordingly orbitted up to 28,000’ end went in over Fecamp. Two more warnings were received, but nothing materialised and after sweeping the area we flew along the coast to St. Valery and came out. Vapour trails formed at 29,000’, so we kept down to 28,000’. There were no e/a or flak. Weather over France and S. Channel was clear and bright. Landfall over Shoreham, and all landed at 20.30. The only training today was a small amount of air-to-air firing.

1943-04-09

Northolt

No ops today, and only a little training air-to air and local flying. Our C.O, S/Ldr Sawicz is posted to Northolt for duty as Squadron leader Tactics, in place of S/Ldr Szczesny, who was missing 4(5) th. His place is being taken by S/Ldr J. Poplawski from 58 O.U.T F/Lt Miksa, Commander of “B” Flight, is posted to 58 O.T.U., from where F/Lt M. Lipinski is coming to replace him.

1943-04-10

Northolt

A cloudy and dull day. No flying apart from a little air-to-ground firing.

1943-04-11

Northolt

Same weather as yesterday. Air-to-air firing was the only flying.

1943-04-12

Northolt

No flying, as the weather was really dirty. Two pilots went for dinghy drill, and there was a lecture in Intelligence on the FW. 190.

1943-04-13

Northolt

Lovely weather, but no flaying owing to religious service. On sections on readiness all day.

1943-04-14

Northolt

Ramrod 55. 9 aircrafts took of at 15.15 as first fighter echelon to 8 Bomphoons attacking Tricqueville airfield. 2 others should have gone, but one punctured a tyre while taxying and another lost his jettison thank after 5 minutes and returned. The rest of the Squadron were out over Shoreham, staying at sea level for 10 minutes. There were two warnings of e/a near Havre, but nothing was seen. One pilots had engine trouble, and flew along the coast from Havre to Griz-nez and crossed there to Dover. The Wing flew up Channel to cover him and crossed at Dungeness at 12.000’. 4 small ships were seen in Bolougne harbour. There was haze up to 24,000’ over the area, but good visibility inside France. Over base it was cloudy, but cleared later. The weather was very close.
Today’s training included air-to-air firing, oo-operation, formation and photo-attacks. Two pilots are posted in – Sgt Rogowski from 41 Squadron, and Sgt Malczewski from 130. The letter was with at Woodvalle last year.

1943-04-15

Northolt

Ramrod55. At 13.50. 12 aircraft took off to provide fighter echelon for 8 Bomphoons, once again attacking Tricqueville airfield. We were out over Shoreham at zero feet, and flew low for 4 minutes; then up to 18,000’ and in over Fecamp. We were over the target area at 22-23,000’, and turned loft towards St. Valery and Dieppe. There was no oppositions, and we returned via Beachy Head, which we crossed at 5,000’, landing at base at 15.30. Visibility throughout the operation was exellent.
Between 19.00 and 21.10 two sections did patrols over the Channel, but saw nothings of interest. There was also a small amount of training-air-to-air firing, photo-attacks and sector recco. Another American citizen has been transferred to the U.S.A.A.C.

1943-04-16

Northolt

This was a very busy day, with ops for breakfast, lunch and tea. Weather was fine and clear all day, except for a slight haze over the Channel.
Ramrod 60. 10 aircraft took off at 07.40 as fighter echelon to 8 Bomphoons on Tricqueville.
They flew at sea level for 10 minutes from Shoreham, and were warned of e/a over Rouen when near the coast 18,000’, N. of St. Valery. The Wing swept the area between Etretat and Tricqueville at 18 – 28,000’, but saw nothing. Over the Channel, 2 FW’s tried to attack 315, but fled on counter-attack. One further FWwas damaged by, the Wing Commander. The English coast was crossed between Shoreham and Brighton.
Circus 283. This time we were detailed to escort 12 Venturas bombing the chemical works at Ostende. 8 aircraft took of at 13.30, and made randezvous with the bombers near Clacton. The formation flew at sea level for 6 minutes, and made landfall N.E. of Ostende. The Vents bombed on a north-to-south run and turned right for home, returning via Clacton at 3,000’. We were warned of e/a, but never saw any. There was moderate flak over the target.
Ramrod 61. We finished the day as we started – by providing fighter echelon for 8 Bomphoons on Tricqueville. Take-off was at 17.20, and we had 10 aircraft out. From Shoreham we stayed at zero feet for 13 minutes before climbing to sweep the are around Tricquevill and Havre. We had tree warnings of e/a, but saw none, and come back without opposition, crossing the coast over Brighton at 8,000’.
Another fine day, and aoother fairly busy one.

1943-04-17

Northolt

Circus 284. 10 aircraft took off at 14.30 as second fighter echelon to 12 Venturas bombing the marshalling yards at Abeville. The formation was out over the North Foreland at 24,000’ and in over Mardyck at 28,000’. Swept to the right towards Le Crotoy, and saw two groups of unidentified aircraft. Ops Warned us that the Hornchurch Wing was engaged over [Berck], but we saw nothing in that area. A second and a third warning were investigated without result. We returned via Boulogne, where one large and four small ships were seen and duly reported. Landfall was near Folkestone. Condensation trails had been seen in the Lille area from Mardyck. All landed at 16.10. Weather was excellent.
Circus 286. This operation started for us at 17.30, when 8 aircraft took off as escort cover for 12 Venturas scheduled to attack the marshalling yards at Caen. From Selsey we flew at sea lewel for 16 minutes with the bombers and their escort, and made landfall E. of Caen at 25,000’ after being warned of e/a. We fallowed the bombers after their attack, and met with moderately intense flak over the target. We were warnedcof 12 e/a over the Channel but did not see them, though we did see 4 unidetified types over Havre. 40 miles from the English coast, a parachute was seen entering the sea, so the Wing orbited the spot and gave Mayday. 315 remained to orbit, and landed at Tangmere at Ford. We learned that the pilot in the sea was rescued by a Walrus. Weather was fine.

1943-04-18

Northolt

Circus 287. 10 aircraft provided escort cover and formed part off a free-lance wing for 12 Venturas bombing shipping in Dieppe. Take-off was at 13.00, and the party climbed from Beachy Head. Northolt Wing crossing E. of Dieppe and turning right at 22,000’. Heavy and intense flak was coming up at us, but bursting below. Bombs were seen to fall on the target area. The Wing was warned of e/a, and in turn patrolled Dieppe, Le Crotoy and St. Valery, but saw nothing except for two vapour trails. Landfall was near Beachy Head at 20,000’.
Weather was fine.
Ramrod 64. 9 aircraft took off at 17.45 as fighter echelon to 8 Bomphoons attacking Courtrei airfield. We flew at zero feet to Canterbury and made French landfall over Gravelines at 21,000’.Then we swept N. of Bethune, turned right, come out over Hardelot and flew up to Cap Gris-nez. Landfall was over Dungeness at 15,000’. One pilot returned early with jettison tank trouble. Weather was again fine.
There was some training during the day – air-to-air firing and formation practice.

1943-04-19

Northolt

Ramrod 65. At 07.40, 9 aircraft took off as fighter echelon to 4 Bomphoons on Yainville power station. They flew at sea level for 14 minutes from Shoreham, and made landfall over Etretat at 21,000’. Ops gave warning of time schedule changes. Flak come up from Havre, accurate in height, but bursting behind us. We were warned of Huns near Tricqueville, and then informed that the main party was coming out. There were two more warning of e/a, and one unidentified type was seen, but there were no contacts. All landed at base at 09.20. Cloud was 10/10 in several layers, but visibility above aloud was excellent.
A little air-to-air firing was the only training today.

1943-04-20

Northolt

A good day for the Squadron, for this evening’s operation gave us a bag of one e/a, destroyed and two damaged.
Ramrod 67. On this operation the new C.O., S/Ldr Poplawski, led the Squadron for the first time. At 18.05 9 aircraft took off as first fighter echelon to 8 Bomphoons having yet another go at Tricqueville airfield. Zero feet was maintained for 19 minutes for Selsey, and landfall was made 10 miles W. of Bayeux at 19,000’. We swept 15 miles S. of Bayeux and came out over Fecamp, being warned of 6 e/a N.E of Caen. Over the coast at 27,000’, 6 e/a were seen flying N., 5 miles ahead in line abreast. The Wing turned left to climb and attack from down sun. We dived to attack, and one FW was destroyed by F/O Dubielecki, while the Squadron Leader and Sgt Jankowski damaged one each. We had no casualties, and made Landfall over Beachy Head at 15,000’. There was haze up to 7,000’, but no cloud. The Huns we bounced were under the impressions that we were ahead of them, and were hoping to bounce us. Which was just too bad for them.
A small amount of training was done today - air-to-air firing and photo-attacks.
F/O A. Olszewski, our Adjutant since April 1941, has left today to become Adjutant of the new Polish Air Force Staff College in Scotland. His place is being taken by F/O B. Bak, who has been supernumerary Adjutant for some time. F/O Zajac, one of our pilots since the early days, has returned after a short period at 52 O.T.U.

1943-04-21

Northolt

An unpleasant day as regards weather, and there was little activiti.
Rodeo 210 ( Exercise RAG), This exercise was one of the culminating points in persuading the Hun that Russian squadrons were operating from England. 10 aircraft took off at 16.10, but only got 5 miles S. of Beachy Head before turning back on account of rain and poor visibility.

1943- 04-22

Northolt

A completely blank day, with weather much too dirty for flying.

1943-04-23

Northolt

Dull, with rain and low cloud. It cleared and slighty un the evening, but there was not activity F/O Tarkowski has gone to Charmy Down for No.5 Fighter Leader’s Course.

1943-04-24

Northolt

A bright morning, but it soon clouded over. There was a small amount of air firing and photo-attacks and one pilot did G.C.I c0-operation.

1943-04-25

Northolt

Squadron released for the whole day.

1943-04-26

Northolt

Rain, gusty wind, and heavy cloud. One test flight only. 2 pilots went for dinghy drill.

1943-04-27

Northolt

Squally, with fine patches. Readiness from 13.00. One section scrambled at 19.10, and patrolled over Horsham and Hailsham, but saw nothing interesting.

1943-04-28

Northolt

Weather unchanged. There were some photo-attacks, formation practice and high altitude flying. P/O Morski, our supernumerary Engineer Officer, has gone to Cosford for the Polish Officers initial course.

1943-04-29

Northolt

There was a considerable amount of training, including chiefly air-to-air firing.
F/O Polak has been posted from 41 Squadron, and P/O Ozieblo is attached 308 for Engineer duties.

1943-04-30

Northolt

Rain all day; no activity.