Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-05-01

Northolt

Circus 293. 12 aircraft took off at 10.07, to provide escort cover to 12 Bostons attacking Caen marshalling yards. The whole formation went out sea level, and flew low for 16 minutes, then climbed and went in over Bayeux at 18,000’. There was considerable cloud over the target, but some flak was seen, aimed at the typhoons ahead. There were two warnings of e/a, but we sow nothing. On leaving the French coast, another warning brought no contact, and we crossed in at Selsey at 11.35, landing at base at 11.55. Visibility above cloud was good. 3 pilots were on rescue readiness in connection with this operation. Nothing else of interest happened today.

1943-05-02

Northolt

A quiet day, on account of poor weather. 2 pilots did G.C.I. co-operation.

1943-05-03

Northolt

A completely blank day – weather still dirty.

1943-05-04

Northolt

Ramrod 68. 10 aircraft took off at 17.47, as first cover to 70 Fortresses on the Ford
Works at Antwerp. The Wing took off from Manston, and made rendezvous with the bombers near Knocke. We made landfall at 26,000 e/a, and over St. Nicholas, two formations of 4 each were seen at the same height. Beyond St. Nicholas, after we had turned left for home, 6 FW’s attacked, and one Spitfire was seen diving vertiwallyy while bursts were seen in the target area. Until reaching Flushing, the formation was continuously attacked by FW’s, mainly from ahead. Several pilots fired, but only F/O Dubielecki is olaiming one FW. 190 damaged. Southeast of Flushing, one Spit went down in smoke a FW in flames. One of our pilots, F/Lt M.Lipinski, was seen turning to attack an e/a, but more was seen of him, and he is missing. We left the Dutch coast at Westcapelle and parted from the bombers 25 miles S.E. of Orfordness. We had one other casualty: F/O Dubielecki’s machine was damaged in the general mix-up, probably by a Thunderbolt. There was heavy flak from Bruges, Antwerp and Flushing. Weather was excellent.
Earlier in the day, 5 sections were engaged in affiliation exercises at Westoot.

1943-05-05

Northolt

Training only today – squadron formation and local flying.
F/O S. Marcisz is posted from 306 Squadron to replace F/Lt Lipinski as Commander of “B” Flight, and F/O M. Cwynar is posted to 58 0.T.U. for a period instructor.

1943-05-06

Northolt

Again only training – Army co-operation by 6 pilots.

1943-05-07

Northolt

Rodeo 313. 10 aircraft took off 15.40, and were out over Beachy Head at 18,000’. Berck was crossed at 21,000’, and the area from there to St. Omer and Sangatte was swept without any incidents.Despite receiving four vectors and orbiting Abbeville for 15 minutes, no e/a were seen; nor was there any flak. We came in over Dungeness. Visibility was exellent, with slight cloud inland over France.
In the early afternoon, one section scrambled, but was recalled immediately. 6 sectiondid air-to-air firing off Southend.

1943-05-08

Northolt

Poor weather: no activity.

1943-05-09

Northolt

Dull and windy. A little air-to-ground firing was the only work done.

1954-05-10

Northolt

Rain most of the day. No flying.
P/O S. Calinski is posted from the D.P.I.G. for flying duties. He was with us before commissioning.

1943-05-11

Northolt

Fine weather, but no operations. 8 pilots did air-to-air firing, and there was some squadron formation practice.
Today, our hopes of seeing F/O Semmerling again have been realized. He was missing on March 13th, but has turned up after escaping from France through Spain and Portugal. He had baled out and was uninjured.

1943-05-12

Northolt

Local and formation flying only for today’s training. 2 separate sections were scrambled to patrol Southampton, but had nothing to report.

1943-05-13

Northolt

Circus 296. The Squadron was to provide 3rd fighter echelon to 6 Mitchella bombing Boulogne marshalling yards. We took off at 11.38, and were out Hastings at 25,000’. Near Berck, Ops warned of e/a, and 6 were seen ahead and then circling E. of Berck. One of our sections dived to attack two of the e/a, and one pilot fired from 400yds without claiming anything. The Wing then flew to Le Touquet, and under instructions back to the Somme Estuary. After an orbit over Abbeville, another visit to the Somme; but despite warnings here and later over Cap Girls-Nez, no more e/a were seen, and finally a vector out over Girls-Niz and in over Folkestone was given. We landed at base at 13.05. Cloud was 8/10ths at 4,500’ and visibility very good.
Ramrod 71. 10 aircraft took off at 15.34 as ist fighter echelon to 80 Forts attacking the Potez factory at Moulte. was made with the bombers 10miles W. of Berck, and the formation went in at Bayeux. The first attack was made Abbeville on the first box of Forts by 5-6 Me.109’s. More tacks were made on the leading bombers from ahead by 20-odd 109’s, who attended mainly to the bombers, plus odd pairs of both types, were engaged in mainly head-on and beam attacks. From 20miles past the target coming out, the forts and the Northolt Wing were heavily engaged. Two groups of approximately 25 109’s and one group of 20 Fw. 190’s, who attended mainly to the bombers, plus odd pairs of both types, were engaged in mainly head-on and beam attacks. From 20miles W. of Meoulte. Several Forts were seen going down at different times, and we had one casualty. P/O Kuryllowicz, after reporting cooling trouble over the R/T, was seen going down and not seen again. Our only claim is one FW. 190 damaged by F/O Blok near Abbeville. Visibility was excellent, and there were patches of cumulus.
There was air firing at Southend today, by [Illegible]11 pilots, and one section did formation.

1943-05-14

Northolt

Ramrod 73. // aircraft went up at 11.35 as 1st fighter cover to 40 Forts on Courtrai airfield. We were out between N. Foreland and Deal at 25,000’, and joined the bombers near the French coast. We were warned of e/a near Ostende, and after crossing in between Nieuport and Dunkirk, warned of 50 e/a ahead. They were then seen, and until the target was reached, heavy attacks were made on the bombers from ahead by the e/a, which dived below them after attacking. One Fort was seen breaking formation, and parachutes also were seen. The attacks diminished between the target and the Belgian coast. We were flying slightly ahead and below the bombers, and in the continuous scrapping over France F/O Najbicz damaged 2 FW.190’s and F/O Zurakowski one, without loss. Heavy and accurate flak came up from Ostende as we crossed out; one Fort and one Spit were seen going down, and parachutes appeared. We left the FZorts 35miles S.E. of Felixtowe. Weather was fine and clear.

1943-05-15

Northolt

Circus 297. In this operation we provided hight cover to 6 Mitchells bombing Caen airfield. Rendezvous was at 16.45, after taking off at 16.07, the bombers being 5 minutes late. The formation climbed and crossed in over Cobourg at 18,000’, 315 being above and to port of the Mitchells. We were ordered to make a right-handed sweep over the target area, and as we began to sweep, the starboard section was suddenly attacked by 4 FW. 190’s, coming from behind and above, out of flak, smoke and mist. Sgt Lewandowski went down as a result of this attack, but 315 counter-attacked and F/O Blok destroyed one FW, while F/O Dubielecki claimed another as damaged. After the combat, the squadron re-formed and came out at 20,000’ behind the bombers. Moderate flak was directed at us from Havre and Horfleur. Weather was clear, except for haze above 20, 000’. 3 pilots did rescue patrol off Selsey Bill in connection with this operation. Squadron landed at 17.45
There was some local flying and photo-attacks at other time during the day.

1943-05-16

Northolt

Rodeo215. 8 aircraft went up at 11.50 to sweep le Trepot-Abbeville. We were out over Pevensey and in over Le trepot at 25,000’. Despite 5 vectors, only Spitfires were seen, and we came home via Le Trepot and Bexhill, landing at 13.25. Moderate flak, accurate in height but to port, came up from the Dieppe area. Weather was clear.
Circus 298. At 16.50 9 aircraft took off as 1st fighter echelon to 6 Mitchells on Triqueville airfield. The squadron operated at 25,000’ over France, and only 2 unidentified aircraft were seen near Triqueville. Some flak came up from the Trouville-Havre area, but it was too far below to be uncomfortable. When out in the Channel coming back, intense flak was seen over havre. Weather was clear.
During the morning, 2 separate sections scrambled to patrol Southampton, but had nothing to report. There was a fair amount of training, mostly air-to-air firing and cine-gun work.

1943-05-17

Northolt

Rodeo 216. 7 aircraft went up at 14.35 to sweep cayeux and St. Omer freelance. We were out over Bexhill at 20,000 and in at Cayeux at 27,000’. After several vectors, 12 e/a were seen and attacked in the poix-Amiens area. Combats took place between 24-18,000’, but only F/O Zajac is claiming a 190 damaged, though several others fired. We were warned of many more e/a approaching as we evacuated over the Somme Estuary to re-form over the Channel and cross in near Beachy. No flak was seen, and weather was again clear. We landed at base at 16.10 4 sections scrambled at different times during the evening to patrol the south coast. None of them had anything to report. There were photo-attacks and air-to-air firing earlier in the day.
F/O M. Najbicz, our Gunnery Officer, is posted to 308 as Flight Commmander.

1943-05-18

Northolt

Circus 300. 10 aircraft went up at 14.15 as 2nd fighter echelon to 12 Bostons on Abbeville airfield. The Wing climbed from Eastbourne to cross in at Le Trepot at 23,000’. After several were at 33,000’. When we turned to attack, the Huns beat it. We re-formed and several further warnings were investigated without result. We crossed in over Hastings and landed at 16.00. There had been no flak, and weather continues fine and clear.
Training today included air-to-air, photo-attacks and G.C.I. co-operation.

1943-05-19

Northolt

This morning, one section patrolled Guildford, and this evening four more sections covered the same area without having anything to report. During the day, 12 pilots did air-to-air firing. There is still no break in the fine weather.

1943-05-20

Northolt

Rodeo222. 9 aircraft were off at11.40 as 3rd fighter echelon to sweep Berck- Fruges. We were out over Hastings at 24,000’ and in over Berck at 25,000’. At this height we received several vectors before being ordered home. We passed over Doullens and Hazebroucke and came out S. of Calais for Folkestone and base, landing at 13.15. No flak or e/a were seen. Good visibility, but haze cloud patches in areas Dungeness, Boulogne, Dieppe and N. of Ostende. There was more air-to-air firing today, and also some local flying

1943-05-21

Northolt

Training only today – squadron formation and local flying.

1943-05-22

Northolt

A quiet day – 2 sections on air-to-air and on G.C.I.

1943-05-23

Northolt

Circus 303. At 11.55 9 aircraft took off as 2nd fighter echelon to 12 Venturas on Zeebrugge. We were out over Rye at 15,000’ and in over Hardelot at 23,000’. Several vectors and warnings brought us to Bethune, St. Pol, Nerville and S.E. of Calais, but to no purpose. Very accurate and fairly heavy flak from Calais necessitated evasive action, and we left between Calais and Gravelines at 20,000’. East of Dover we were 20 miles South, so we came home over Rye at 15,000’. Visibility was good, with approximately 7/10 cumulus at 7,000!.
Other ops today were rescue patrol by 3 aircraft in connection with Circus 303 and convoy patrols by 3 sections off the south coast. The last one was recalled almost at once, and none of them had anything to report.
Training included G.C.I. co-operation and air firing.

1943-05-24

Northolt

The fine spell has been broken at last, and today has been quiet. W/O Piatkowski is posted from 308 for Flying duties.

1943-05-25

Northolt

Circus 304. 10 aircraft took off at 10.40 as 4th fighter echelon to 12 Mitchells attacking Abbeville airfield. We were out over Bexhill at 20,000 and in near le Treport at 28,000’. The usual procedure followed, and we followed various vectors and warnings to Abbeville, Doullens and Auxi-Le-Chateau before being told that all the e/a had gone. We then came out over clear were we operated, but there was 10/10 cloud inland over France. 2 pilots did rescue patrol for this operation.

1943-05-26

Northolt

Only training today. 7 pilots did G.C.I. co-operation and there was some formation and local flying.

1943-05-27

Northolt

Rodeo224. Take off was at 16.55, and 10 aircraft were detailed to sweep Sangatte, Cassel and Nieuport. We were out over Dungeness at 22,000’ and in over Gris-Nez at 28,000’. Warned of e/a near Cassel, we climbed to 38,000’, and al thought several smoke trails appeared in the Knouke-Ostende area, only Spits and Thunder bolts were seen. Coming out at Nieuport, wew flew along the coast and orbited Mardyck and Calais in turn and then came home via Dover, landig at base at 18.35. We saw no flak or e/a . Cloud was 7/10 at 10,000’ over the Channel and Pas de Calais, and 10/10 inland over France and over the western Channel.
Today the Squadron has been ordered to move to Hutton Cransswick on June 1st , which means plenty of work for everybody between now and then.

1943-05-28

Northolt

Circus 305. In this operation we had to provide the 3rd fighter sweep for 12 Venturas bombing the coke ovens at Zeebrugge. 10 aircraft took off at 17,00, were out over Dungeness at 21,000’and in S. of Boulogne at 24,000’. We flew south to St. Omer and on to Hazebroucke, where we turned north. N. of cassel we were warned to climb, and near Berges we were at 28,000’. We were then vectored to the Dunkirk area and had a third warning of e/a. Aircraft were seen orbiting below, but on investigation proved to be Spitfires. Accordingly, we flew out to sea over Dunkirk and were warned of e/a to the south of us. As we turned left to find them, 4 109’s dived on the starboard section from N.E. and behind, diving away after the attack. Sgt Rogowski is missing, and is thought to have been hit here. The squadron flew along to Cap-Gris-Nez and came home via Folkestone, landing at 18.35. No flak was seen. Visibility was moderate, with 3/10 cumulus over the area of operations, and also some haze. For training today, 5 sections did photo-attacks.
In has been decided that the Advance Party will leave for Hutton Cranswick on the 30th. We are leaving the Spit IX’s here for 303, and shall be taking their VB’s when we move. Two Harrows are being provided to take the Air Party on the 1st, and a number of others will travel by road in private cars. Things have already begun to hum as we prepare to leave what we have come to regard as our home station. Reports of Hutton Cranswick have prepared us for something vastly different in every respect.

1943-05-29

Northolt

Ramrod 67. In this operation we were to reinforce 10 Group, and flew first to Bolt Head. 10 aircraft took off at 17.10 as 1st high cover wing to 120 Fortesses on St. Nazaire. Everything went according to plan, and we crossed into France at 25,000’. Just before Guincamp, maintained for them. Then we left them and landed at Bolt Head at 18.30, returning to Norrtholt later in the evening.
Local flying was the only training today.

1943-05-30

Northolt

Gusty and showery weather, and no flying except for a little air-to-air firing. The Advance Party left early this morning.

1943-05-31

Northolt

Circus 308. 10 aircraft took off at 10.45 to carry out 1st fighter sweep for 12 Venturas on airfield, which was 1st diversion to 12 Bostons attacking the power station at Grand Queville. Again we just flew out and back according to plan. We were three layers of cloud over the Channel – 1/10 very low, 6/10 cumulus at 6,000’and 6/10 alte-stratus at 18-25,000’. 3 pilots were on rescue readiness for this operation.
Two new pilots have arrived just in time to accompany us to Hutton. They are F/O Witke and Sgt Towtsiejko, both from 58 O.U.T.