Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-08-01

Colerne.

F/Lt. Baranski flew to and from Northolt in the Magister.

1941-08-02

The main and air parties proceeded to Church Stanton on the movement of the Squadron (See attached movement order).

1941-08-03

Church Stanton

F/Os. Gorski and Nartowicz flew to Colerne in the Magister to collect a Hurricane which F/O. Gorski flew back to Church Stanton. F/O. Nartowicz returning in the Magister. F.O. Nosowicz was also flown to Colerne to collect a Hurricane. F/O. Dec, while taxying an aircraft down the runway, observed two steam rollers and several other vehicles standing on the perimeter near the corner of the runway. Thinking there was sufficient room for him to pass he continued taxying but, despite the application of his brakes, the starboard wing collided with one of the steam rollers.

1941-08-04

The Squadron carried out 7 patrols totalling 18 hours 45 minutes.

1941-08-05

22 hours 40 minutes, involving 7 patrols, were flown on shipping protection.

1941-08-06

8 Aircraft covered the return of “Flying Fortresses” this morning, of which only one was seen. The Squadron carried out 7 patrols, totalling 24 hours 15 minutes.

1941-08-07

4 Patrols or a total of 12 hours 10 minutes were flown today. F/O. Kozlowski, while flying at 200’ felt a slight jerk on the control column and loss of aileron control. He started climbing and at 2000’ saw that the chain and link were disconnected on starboard side of control column. At 8,000’ the aircraft began to roll over and spiral slowly. The pilot lost control, abandoned the aircraft and landed by parachute uninjured about 2 miles NW of Ashburton. The aircraft crashed about 1 ½ miles further west and was completely wrecked.

1941-08-08

There was one “Scramble” when a section took off to investigate but was recalled 10 minutes later.

1941-08-10

The Battle was flown by an airman pilot to Blackpool. 4 Patrols, totalling 11 hours 50 minutes were carried out by the Squadron.

1941-08-11

The Squadron flew to Portreath to reinforce the station there.

1941-08-12

9 Patrols, totalling 26 hours, were made during the day by the Squadron from Portreath, whence it returned in the evening.

1941-08-14

14 hours, involving 2 patrols, were flown on shipping protection by the Squadron. F/O. Gozdecki flew to Northolt in a Hurricane and returned in the evening.

1941-08-16

P/O. Buchwald flew to and from Colerne in the Battle. 8 Patrols, totalling 26 hours 50 minutes, were carried out.

1941-08-17

The Squadron flew to Exeter in the morning to take part in a sweep over the Cherbourg peninsula. No enemy aircraft were encountered nor anything of interest seen during the flight and all aircraft returned safely to base after being in the air for 22 hours 50 minutes.

1941-08-19

“B” Flight flew to Bolt Head and made 6 patrols, totalling 19 hours.

1941-08-20

The Squadron flew to Portreath to reinforce that Sector and 20 hours 30 minutes in volving 4 patrols, were flown on shipping protection.

1941-08-21

The Squadron remains at Portreath and carries out 2 patrols totalling 18 hours 30 minutes.

1941-08-22

F/O. Nosowicz flew to and from Pembrey in the Magister while F/O. Klawe flew from Exeter to Middle Wallop. The Squadron returned from Portreath landing en route at Exeter. The Squadron carried out 8 patrols, totalling 61 hours 10 minutes.

1941-08-24

F.O. Klawe returned from Middle Wallop. F/L. Nowierski flew to Blackpool in a Hurricane.

1941-08-25

5 patrols, totalling 14 hours 40 minutes were carried out by the squadron.

1941-08-26

F/O. Klawe flew to and from Exeter in a Hurricane and F/L. Nowierski returned from Blackpool. P/O. Buchwald with F/O. Krupa as passenger flew to Blackpool in the Magister. Ther Squadron made 5 patrols, totalling 19 hours 10 minutes.

1941-08-27

One section made a weather reconnaissance flight to the French coast lasting 1 hour 50 minutes. F/O. Nosowicz went up to shoot down a barrage balloon which had broken loose.

1941-08-28

9 patrols, totalling 19 hours 55 minutes, were carried out by the Squadron. Coming back from one of these F/O. Szalewicz’s aircraft was collided into by No. 1 of the section. The impact sent it into a nose up position at angle of 7? degrees and it started to lose speed. He saw Blue 2. (F/O. Gozdecki) diving in an inverted position until he hit the water. F/O. Szalewicz was able to right his machine at a height of 50 feet and with the control column right back, the engine at full throttle, he climbed to 2500 feet. and flew to Exeter where having checked the controls with the undercarriage and flaps in the down position, he landed with the flaps in the half down position owing to a damaged elevator. P/O. Gozdecki is missing, presumed killed.

1941-08-30

The squadron carried out 3 patrols, totalling 8 hours 20 minutes.

1941-08-31

The Squadron took part in a Gudgeon operation, the total flying time being 14 hours 45 minutes. Nothing of interest was seen during the flight and all aircraft returned safely to base.

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