Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-04-01

HESTON - COOLHAM

133 Airfield with All attached units, including this Squadron moved to Advance Landing Ground, Coolham, Sussex to-day. Ground personnel and equipment moved by road transport, aircraft and pilots by air. Accommodation, both officers and sleeping quarters is entirely under canvas.

1944-04-02

COOLHAM.

19.15.
Two Spitfires took part in a scramble and patrolled over the Channel. Nothing to report. No training was carried out.
Weather: Cloudy. 8/10ths to 10/10ths at 2,000 feet. Visibility, poor becoming moderate.

1944-04-03

COOLHAM.

4 aircraft (Mustangs III) were utilised for pilots first solo flights. Very little other training.
F/Lt Wandzilak proceeded on posting to No. 18 (P) Fighter Wing.
Weather: Cloudy. 10/10ths at 400 to 1,000 feet. Visibility. Moderate.

1944-04-04

COOLHAM.

Training consisted mainly of gaining experience on Mustang III aircraft, with which the Squadron is being equipped. 6 aircraft taking part in formation flying. Mustang III FZ 154 flown by Sgt. Gozdzielewski was involved in a slight accident at R.A.F. Station, Ford, whilst taxying, superficicial damage was caused to the propellor. Damage category “A”.
Weather: Cloudy and drizzle. 6/10ths to 10/10ths at 600 to 2,000 feet. Visibility, 2,000 yds to 8 miles.

1944-04-05

COOLHAM.

Training included formation flying on the New Type.
Weather: Cloudy, slight rain. 4/10ths to 10/10ths at 800 to 3,000 feet. Visibility 4,000 yds to 5 miles.

1944-04-06

COOLHAM.

Training only to-day, consisting mainly of formation flying.
Mustang III FX 974 flown by Sgt. Ciundziewicki was damaged whilst taxying after landing, the port Oleo Leg being damaged. The pilot suffered no injury. Category “B”.
Weather: Cloudy. 8/10ths to 10/10ths at 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Visibility. 2,500 yds to 6 miles.

1944-04-07

COOLHAM.

7 aircraft took part in formation flights (training).
P/O Brygider arrived on posting from No. 303 (Polish) Squadron.
Weather: Cloudy. 10/10ths cloud at 800 to 1,000 feet. Visibility, 1,800 to 4,000 yds.

1944-04-08

COOLHAM.

A fair amount of training was carried out to-day, mostly formation and gaining experience on Mustang.
W.O Tamowicz arrived on posting from No. 316 Squadron.
Weather: Fair. Cloud 8/10ths to 10/10ths at 9,000 feet and above. Visibility. 400 yds to 2 miles.

1944-04-09

COOLHAM.

Training again to-day, mostly formation and some local flying.
Weather: Slight rain. Cloud 3/10ths to 9/10ths at 600 to 3,000 feet. Visibility. 3,000 yds to 10 miles.

1944-04-10

COOLHAM.

Training including formation flying.
Weather: Fog in the morning, Fair later. Cloud 3-9/10ths at 1,000 to 2,500 feet. Visibility 400 yds to 10 miles.

1944-04-11

COOLHAM.

12 aircraft took part in formation flying, during the day.
P/O Smidowicz (pilot) took over duties as Squadron adjutant from F/O. Kirste.
WEATHER: Fair with showers. Cloud 4-6/10ths at 2-3,000 feet. Visibility 2,500 yds to 10 miles.

1944-04-12

COOLHAM

A considerable amount of training was carried out, formation flying, squadron battle formation, and local flying.
Weather: fog a.m. fair later. Cloud 2-8/10ths at 2-3,000 feet. Visibility 700 yds to 8 miles.

1944-04-13

COOLHAM

Training consisted mainly of formation flying.
Mustang III FZ 154 flown by F/S Slon was involved in an accident on the airfield, the propeller slightly damaged by striking an ambulance. The aircraft was taxying after landing. The airframe was placed in category “A”.
Weather: Cloudy. 2-8/10ths cloud at 2,000 to 4,500 feet. Visibility 3,000 yds to 6 miles.

1944-04-14

COOLHAM

Training chiefly cross country flights.
Weather: Fair, rain later. 3-5/10ths cloud at 2,000 to 3,500 feet. Visibility 4-8 miles.

1944-04-15

COOLHAM

Very little flying to-day.
Weather: Fog, cloudy later. Cloud Nil to 9/10ths at 1,500 to 2,500 feet. Visibility 700 yds to 6 miles.

1944-04-16

COOLHAM

No flying to-day, the landing field being u/s.
Weather: Fog with rain and drizzle. Cloud 10/10ths at 400 to 1,800 feet. Visibility 100 to 2,500 yds.

1944-04-17

COOLHAM

No flying to-day, the landing field being u/s.
Weather: Cloudy and mist. 9-10/10ths cloud at 1,000 to 2,500 feet. Visibility 1,500 to 2,500 yds.

1944-04-18

COOLHAM

No flying again to-day, the landing field still being u/s.
Weather: Cloudy becoming fine. 2-10/10ths cloud at 1,200 to 2,500 feet. Visibility 2,000 yds to 10 miles.

1944-04-19

COOLHAM

6 aircraft took part in Army Co-op strafing and 4 battle formation.
Mustang III FX 896 flown by P/O Brygider was involved in an accident to-day. The aircraft crashed following a dive, and P/O Brygider was killed instantaniously. The a/c was placed in category “E”.
F/S. Kepczynski (Pilot) arrived on posting from No. 303 (Polish) Squadron.
Weather: Fog, fair later. Cloud Nil to 6/10ths at 1,200 to 2,000 feet. Visibility 400 yds to 6 miles.

1944-04-20

COOLHAM

Very little flying to-day.
F/O Wunsche arrived on posting from Deputy Inspectorate General.
WEATHER: Cloudy to fair. Cloud 3-10/10ths at 1,200 to 2,500 feet. Visibility 3,000 yds to 10 miles.

1944-04-21

COOLHAM

Training consisted mainly of practice bombing and strafing.
Weather: Fair. Cloud 2-4/10ths at 2,500 feet. Visibility 6 to 12 miles.

1944-04-22

COOLHAM

Training to-day included Air to Sea firing and strafing.
Weather: Fine Cloud 1-3/10ths at 2,500 feet. Visibility 3,000 yds to 12 miles.

1944-04-23

COOLHAM

A considerable amount of training was carried out to-day, including practice firing, Army co-op strafing and squadron battle formation.
Weather: Fine. Cloud, 2-3/10ths at 2,000 to 2,500 feet. Visibility 2,000 yds to 12 miles.

1944-04-24

COOLHAM

Training included Army co-op strafing, air firing and air to sea firing.
Weather: Cloudy to fair. Cloud 3-10/10ths at 800 to 2,000 feet. Visibility, 800 yds to 10 miles.

1944-04-25

COOLHAM

Training consisted of formation flying and air to sea firing.
Weather: Cloudy to fair. Cloud 2-10/10ths at 1,500 to 2,500 feet. Visibility, 3,000 yds to 6 miles.

1944-04-26

COOLHAM

16.25.
OPERATION RANGER. 4 Mustang III aircraft took part in operation Ranger to destroy E/A in the air and on the ground in the ALBERT – CAMBRIA area. A gun position on roof of factory N.E. of ALBERT aerodrome was attacked. Other targets on route also attacked but results not observed. Inaccurate light A.A. flak from factory N.E. of ALBERT aerodrome. Accurate heavy flak from N.E. corner of GUISE VALLAIRS aerodrome. Weather: Patches of cloud at 6,000 feet. Visibility very good. 2 Mustangs patrolled the Channel on air sea rescue service covering the return of the aircraft.
Training consisted of air to sea firing and battle formation.
Weather at Coolham: Cloudy to fair. Cloud 2-10/10ths at 1,500 to 2,500 feet. Visibility, 3,000 yds to 6 miles.

1944-04-27

COOLHAM

A good amount of training was carried out to-day. Air to Sea firing, Battle formation and cross country.
Weather: - Fine. Cloud, Nil. Visibility, 4 to 12 miles.

1944-04-28

COOLHAM

Very little flying to-day.
F/S Lurzynski proceeded on posting to No. 16(P) S.F.T.S.
Weather: Fair. Cloud, 4-6/10ths at 3,000 feet. Visibility, 5 to 6 miles.

1944-04-29

COOLHAM

07.50.
RAMROD 806 SWEEP. 36 a/c comprising aircraft from 129, 306 and this Squadron took part in this operation. The Wing swept LE TOUQUET – COBRAI COULOMMIERS area. 2 a/c of 129 squadron attacked M.T. 6 miles south of ABBERVILLE. 315 Squadron attacked barges 10 miles north of COULOMMIERS. All attacks were successful. Weather: 10/10ths cloud base 3-4,000 feet. 2 Mustangs patrolled Channel on air sea rescue service. S/Ldr Horbaczewski slightly wounded.

1944-04-30

COOLHAM

Training consisted of air to sea firing.
Weather: Fine, Cloud, 1-2/10ths at 3,000 feet. Visibility, 3,000 yds to 12 miles.

[Illegible]
SQUADRON LEADER, COMMANDING, NO. 315 (POLISH) SQUADRON.