Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-07-01

Cranswick

Weather today has been 6/10 cloud at 3-4,000’, with good visibility. There was no operational activity, but a good amount of training, mainly air-to-air firing, cloud flying and homing practice. F/Lt E. Jedrzejewski is posted from the D.P.I.G. for duty as supernumerary Adjutant.

1943-07-02

Cranswick

Better weather, with only 4/10 cloud at 5,000’. Training included air-to-air firing, co-operation, with Halifaxes, homing practice, formation, cloud flying and photo-attacks.

1943-07-03

Cranswick

This morning we received an unexpected order to move – to Ballyhalbert on the 5th. In general, a poor view is taken of this, since we were settling down comfortably here. However, we forcibly remind ourselves that there is a war on, and get busy with the usual preparations for moving. All personnel are to travel by air, with as much equipment as Harrows (10 of them) can carry. This disturbance has interfered with the flying programme, and in spite of good weather there was only a small amount of training, chiefly bomber co-operation.

1943-07-04

Cranswick

To outward appearances this was a quite day, with very little flying, but there has been a great deal of activity connected with the move. The administrative people have been in a state of continued suspense, waiting for information as to the exact details. It seems that there is to be a small rail party and a road party, but who is travelling by what means is still undecided. The movement order will probably go to press about five minutes before take-off time!

1943-07-05

Cranswick

A fine morning, and the Harrows were here at an early hour, having brought 308 from Church Fenton at crack of dawn. They have to take 130 from Ballyhalbert to Honiley after delivering us, so when there is no sign of our being ready by midday, the Station-Master became annoyed and delivers an ultimatum – unless we are off withing the hour, there will be hell to pay. This stimulates some action, and soon after one o’clock the northern tip of the Isle of Man, and touch down at Ballyhalbert at 14.45 or thereabouts. There is a slight delay before transport is organised, but very soon everyone is at the Communal Site, where food is waiting. The inner man being satisfied, we go in search of accommodation, having our first look at the Irish countryside on the way. Our progress causes quite a stir, and we hear frequent remarks of “Look – Poles!” – which remind us that we are the first Polish squadron in Northern Ireland. We eventually reach our living site, to find that the outgoing squadron has left it in what can only be described as a hell of a state. There is much sweeping and dusting and gathering of salvage to be done before we can settle down for the night. The weather was fine as we crossed from England, but it has degenerated, and we gather that a fine day in these parts is something to write home about – though it would be promptly scrubbed by the censor.

1943-07-06

Ballyhalbert

Weather 6/10 cloud at 3-4,000’, with good visibility. The process of moving in continues, and there is very little flying. However, in the afternoon two sections are ordered to Eglinton for convoy patrols, which are carried out without incident. It seems that operating from Eglintonis to be the normal procedure, and instructions are received to send a refuelling and rearming party to look after out aircraft.

1943-07-07

Ballyhalbert

A slight improvement in the weather this morning, and considerably more activity. Between 10.35 and 15.45, five section were on convoy patrol in turn, without having anything to report. Other pilots did sector recoo and homing practice. There is little change in the weather, which remains showery. We have had a very cordial welcome to our new Station, and the whole atmosphere is most friendly. Everyone, from R.A.F.N.I. downwards, is anxious to help with any difficulties which may arise. The Station itself is well organised, and has recreation facilities well above average.

1943-07-08

Ballyhalbert

More convoy work today, three sections being airborne between 16.15 and 22.40. Training included formation flying and more sector recco. Weather generally cloudy and unsettled, but with good visibility.

1943-07-09

Ballyhalbert

A fair amount of training today, in spite of rather poor visibility and low cloud. There was some formation practice and artillery co-operation. Later in the evening, two sections went out on the usual convoy duty.

1943-07-10

Ballyhalbert

A wet day, with no flying apart from convoy patrols. Five sections were engaged, between 05.20 and 12.30.
We have received notification that P/O Kuryllowicz, who was forced down in France with engine trouble on May 13th, is a prisoner-of-war, and was uninjured. This is good news, especially as so many of the pilots we lost from Northolt are now known to be either dead or “missing believed killed”. These included F/Lt Lipinski, F/Lt Lukaszewicz, P/O Panek, Sgt Ostrowski and possibly one or two others, of whom we have no definite news yet.
Today, F/Lt Bak, our Adjutant, is posted to the Polish I.T.S. at Brighton, and F/Lt. W. Klawe arrives from Northolt for Ops Room duties.

1943-07-11

Ballyhalbert

A quiet day, with only sector recco and test flying, the weather being none too good.

1943-07-12

Ballyhalbert

7/10 cloud at 2,000’, and more showers. Little activity, apart from formation flying and photo-attacks when the weather permitted.
One new pilots is posted to us today – W/O Sumara, from 316 Squadron.

1943-07-13

Ballyhalbert

A much better day, and considerably more activity. There was air-to-air firing, ground attacks, formation flying, and later dusk and night flying.

1943-07-14

Ballyhalbert

Another fairly good day for weather, but very little flying until evening, when the dusk and night flying programme was carried out.

1943-07-15

Ballyhalbert

Cloud flying, air-to-air firing and formation comprised today’s training, carried out in weather which is quite good for this part of the world. One section was on convoy patrol between 13.00 and 14.55, and another went out on A.S.R. at 21.20, returning at 22.20 with nothing to report.

1943-07-16

Ballyhalbert

No operations today, but a fair amount of training, with a further improvement in the weather. There were photo-attacks, formation and sector recco during the day, followed by a full night and dusk flying programme.
F/Lt Olszewski is re-posted from Hutton Cranswick; he was injured in a forced landing there on June 22nd, when his engine cut as he was approaching to land, causing him to come down in a cornfield.

1943-07-17

Ballyhalbert

A fairly busy day as regards training, with air-to-air and air-to ground firing, photo-attacks, A.S.R. practice and a full programme of night flying. The weather is still reasonably good, though far from settled.

1943-07-18

Ballyhalbert

Early this morning, two sections were out on convoy patrol in dirty weather – 10/10 cloud at 2-3,000’. They had nothing to report. The day has been quite, but an improvement in the weather in the evening made night flying possible. Between 19.50 and 21.00 one section was on convoy duty, and another from 22.25 to 23.35.

1943-07-19

Ballyhalbert

A dull day, though with good visibility. Only “A” Flight did any flying, which comprised formation and cine-camera work, with two sections on convoy patrol in the evening.

1943-07-20

Ballyhalbert

Better weather today, with 7/10 cloud at 5-6,000’ and good visibility. From 05.35 to 08.35 we had two sections on convoy escort, and during the rest of the day there was a fair amount of training; there were photo-attacks, formation and interception practice with a Mosquito. A night flying programme was carried out also.
Four new pilots are posted in from 58 O.T.U. They are P/Os Tuczemski and Glowacki and Sgts Siwek and Link.

1943-07-21

Ballyhalbert

A really fine day at last, and the pilots made the most of it, chiefly by getting in plenty of air-to-air firing. There was no operational activity.

1943-07-22

Ballyhalbert

Another fine day, and a similar programme. In spite of the brilliant sunshine, it is anything but hot. There is a breeze from the sea which make one glad to keep moving, though a few off-duty people can be found sun-bathing in sheltered sports.

1943-07-23

Ballyhalbert

Not so fine today, but still above the average. Training included formation practice, photo-attacks and cross-country. At intervals between 09.25 and 16.05, three sections were engaged on the usual convoy duty.
A posting has come in for F/Sgt Chudek – to 303 Squadron. Except for a period as instructor at 58 O.T.U., he has been with us since the early days, and has a record of 5 e/a destroyed, one probable and one damage. On one occasion, when separated from the Squadron in a dog-fight, he formatted on a squadron of Me.109’s and shot down one of them before getting away without a scratch.

1943-07-24

Ballyhalbert

The weather is still fair, and once again we have made the most of it. There has been air-to-air firing, photo-attacks, G.C.I. co-operation and a practice scramble. Visibility during the day was unusually good.

1943-07-25

Ballyhalbert

There is a sudden change in the weather today; cloud is 10/10 at 1-2,000’, and visibility very poor. No flying at all, and nothing else of interest to report.

1943-07-26

Ballyhalbert

Another dirty day, but a little training was possible, including formation and a practice “rhubarb”. Three sections have been busy on convoy patrol between 15.45 and 21.35, each section making two sorties. As usual, they had nothing to report.

1943-07-27

Ballyhalbert

There was more convoy work during the afternoon and early evening, three sections being engaged. Training consisted chiefly of air-to-air firing and another practice “rhubarb”, in weather which showed considerable improvement on yesterday.

1943-07-28

Ballyhalbert

A quiet day, in spite of quite good weather. No operational activity, and very little training.

1943-07-29

Ballyhalbert

A much busier day, with air-to-ground firing, formation and sector recco. Three sections were on convoy patrol between 16.15 and 22.50. The weather has been good, with only 3/10 cloud at 5-6,000’ and visibility above the average.

1943-07-30

Ballyhalbert

Still more activity today, in even better weather. Between 06.10 and 08.40, and again between 15.25 and 17.35, two sections were on convoy duty. At 15.10 another was ordered to scramble, but was recalled after 20 minutes. Training included interception exercises with Halifax, cloud flying and formation.
There are more postings today. P/O Glowacki goes to 318, F/Sgt Lisowski to 316 and W/O Sumara to No. 16 (Polish) S.F.T.S.

1943-07-31

Ballyhalbert

The month ends with the weather still good, though there is less activity to report today. Three sections had convoys patrols from 05.45 until 09.15, and one more from 21.45 to 22.30. Training was limited to sector recco and local flying.

(J. Poplawski)
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No.315 (Polish) Squadron.