Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-04-01

Two aircraft on patrol at 1500 ft. from Linney Head to Worms Head saw ship sfire 5 miles S.W. from Linney Head. 3 Enemy aircraft were sighted 2 miles east of the ship at 1200 ft. F/IO. Gabszewicz attacked 5 times from astern and beam and P/O. Anders made 2 attacks astern and beam on the same aircraft and one attack on a second which went into cloud after a 2-second burst. The first enemy aircraft was last seen losing height and heading towards the shore with smoke and flames issuing from its starboard engine. 13 patrols were made during the day totaling 44.20 hours.

1941-04-02

P/O. Balman, Education Officer, arrived today. P/O. R.M. Milne posted from H.Q.F.C. as British Intelligence Officer to the Squadron. One Polish Airmen Pilot arrived on posting. 18 patrols were made during the day totalling 59.10 hours.

1941-04-03

P/O. Papis posted to the Squadron for Interpreter duties from R.A.F. Polish Depot, Blackpool.
P/O. Kosmowski, Polish Officer Pilot, arrived pending arrival of correct posting. A Hurricane I, piloted by P/O. S. Stegman, returning from patrol at 08.20 hours, overshot the aerodrome and landed on the shorter runway. The brakes failed to hold and the aircraft nosed over on hitting a pile of stones. One blade was smashed and the engine was found to be without limits on shock loading. 17 patrols were made during the day totaling 55.50 hours.

1941-04-04

P/O. Perzanowski, Interpreter, left on posting to R.A.F. Polish Depot, Blackpool. 11 patrols were made during the day totalling 33.00 hours.

1941-04-05

P/O. W.T.Sankey arrived on posting as British Adjutant to the Squadron. A/S/L. C.J. Donovan flew to Blackpool in Squadron Battle Trainer on administrative duties. 24 patrols were made during the day totalling 71.40 hours.

1941-04-06

A/S/L. C.J. Donovan returned from Blackpool in Squadron Battle Trainer. 3 patrols were made during the day totalling 05.15 hrs.

1941-04-07

10 patrols were made during the day totalling 24.35 hrs.

1941-04-08

12 patrols were made during the day totalling 38.55 hours.

1941-04-09

1 Aircraft on patrol Linney Head – Skomer Island at 1000 ft. saw A.A. burst at same height about 3 miles West of St. Ann’s Head. F/O. Sawicz saw aircraft, which he recognized as a Heinkel 111, flying in direction of a small merchant ship. As it released a bomb F/O. Sawicz dived and attacked from the rear giving the enemy aircraft 4 bursts of 3 seconds from 150 yards. With fuselage aflame the enemy aircraft crashed unto the sea and sank. 2 of the crew were picked up by a warship. 9 patrols were made during the day totalling 23/25 hours.

1941-04-10

On arrival of correct posting, P/O. Kosmowski, Polish Pilot Officer, left for No. 306 Polish Squadron, Northolt. 12 patrols were made during the day totalling 42.50 hours.

1941-04-11

11 patrols were made during the day totalling 33.50 hours.

1941-04-12

F/O. Nowierski made a forced landing at Carew Cheriton owing to oil feed leak. P/O. Day, the Squadron Engineer Officer, flew to Carew in the Battle Trainer and, after the necessary repair, the aircraft was then flown back to Pembrey by F/O. Nowierski. Group Captain Iwaskiewicz from the Polis Inspectorate General visited the Squadron. 12 patrols were made during the day totalling 41.05 hours.

1941-04-13

F/O. Mickiewicz left on posting to 315 (Polish) Squadron at Speke. Group Captain Iwaskiewicz left today, after having expressed himself as very satisfied with all he had seen. 9 patrols were made during the day totalling 27.15 hours.

1941-04-14

7 patrols were made during the day totalling 22.00 hours.

1941-04-15

F/Lt. Dunk with 4 airmen arrived o conduct trade tests of Polish airmen. 11 patrols were made during the day totalling 31.45 hours.

1941-04-16

15 airmen were given a trade test for remustering purposes, of when 13 passed. 15 patrols were made during the day totalling 49.10 hours.

1941-04-17

2 Polish Officer Pilots, Pilot Officers Klawe and Gorski, arrived on posting from O.T.U. 55, Usworth. 14 patrols were made during the day totalling 44.20 hours.

1941-04-18

10 patrols were made during the day totalling 29.50 hours.

1941-04-19

7 patrols were made during the day totalling 19.10 hours.

1941-04-20

9 patrols made during the day totalling 29.20 hours.

1941-04-21

F/O. Przymenski left for Blackpool to attend Intelligence Course. S/L/ J. Frey flew to Northolt in Squadron Magister on administrative duties. 9 patrols made during the day totalling 26.30 hours.

1941-04-22

6 patrols made during the day totalling 15.00 hours.

1941-04-23

P/O. Papis, Squadron Interpreter, left today on posting to 307 (Polish) Squadron, Exeter. S/L. Frey returned from London. 9 patrols made during the day totalling 27.50 hours.

1941-04-24

9 patrols made during the day totalling 30.50 hours.

1941-04-25

F/O Przymenski, Polish Intelligence Officer, returned from course at Blackpool. 9 patrols made during the day totalling 28.10 hours.

1941-04-26

7 patrols made during the day totalling 20.00 hours.

1941-04-27

17 patrols made during the day totalling 48.10 hours.

1941-04-28

Group Captain Pawlikowski from H.Q.F.C. arrived this evening. 1 patrol made during the totalling 1.40 hours.

1941-04-29

Group Captain Pawlikowski left this morning, flying to Northolt. S/L. Frey flew to Northolt on administrative duties. F/O. Virpsha arrived today from 307 (Polish) Squadron on temporary attachment to this Squadron for Interpreter duties. 18 patrols were made during the day totalling 45.35 hours.

1941-04-30

20 patrols made during the day totalling 70.55 hours.

[Illegible]
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 316 Squadron.