Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-11-03

Church Stanton.

The squadron carried out four patrols, totalling 12 hours, 10 minutes.

1941-11-04

A reconnaissance flight to the French coast was carried out by the squadron but nothing of interest was seen. 10 hours 35 minutes were flown.

1941-11-05

F/O. Balman, Education Officer, is posted to No. 16 (P) S.F.T.S. while P/O. Ball of the above unit is posted to this squadron in the same capacity. Four patrols totalling 10 hours, 30 minutes were carried out.

1941-11-06

Only one patrol of five hours, 30 minutes was made by the squadron.

1941-11-07

A shipping reconnaissance was carried out but nothing of interest was observe 16 hours, 35 minutes being flown by the squadron.

1941-11-08

The squadron took part in No. 11 Group Circus 110, acting as medium cover to Blenheim Bombers with the target railway workshop at Lille. A surprise attack was delivered by enemy aircraft just before the target was reached. After this encounter the squadron commander (S/L. Wilczewski) was missed and was not seen again. The aircraft of F/O. Dec. and an airman pilot were hit by flak and cannon fire but they succeeded in reaching Manston. F/O. Klawe had also to take violent evasive action and landed at Hawkinge. In all 17 hours were flown by the squadron.

1941-11-10

Two patrols totalling one hour 50 minutes were carried out.

1941-11-11

The squadron afforded shipping protection totalling 23 hours 20 minutes.

1941-11-12

P/O. Stegman is posted to No. 55 O.T.U. P/O. Maliszewski, while taxying to dispersal was unable to check the aircraft owing to the failure of the brake and it ran on to soft ground, damaging the undercarriage and airscrew. One patrol of 1 hour 10 minutes was made.

1941-11-14

F/L. Gabszewicz assumes the duties of squadron commander while F/O. Sawicz. Become Flight Commander, “A” Flight. The squadron carried out 8 patrols totalling 22 hours 50 minutes.

1941-11-16

F/O. Christman proceeded to Blackpool on administrative duties.

1941-11-18

Church Stanton.
Convoy protection, totalling 18 hours 20 minutes were given by the squadron.

1941-11-20

Seven patrols, totalling 18 hours 55 minutes, were carried out.

1941-11-21

Intimation was received from the Air Ministry that a German broadcast had been picked up saying that S/L. Wilczewski, among others, was laying seriously wounded in a German hospital. The squadron carried out two patrols amounting to four hours.

1941-11-23

Co-operation, lasting 30 hours 40 minutes, was afforded by the squadron in an army invasion exercise at Taunton, dive bombing attacks on strategic points being simulated.

1941-11-24

The squadron carried out Tyree patrols and one scramble, totalling 11 hours 30 minutes. No interceptions was made.

1941-11-25

An airman pilot, while landing, overshot the runway and damaged the undercarriage and wing. Two aircraft of “B” Flight took off on a Meteorological Flight lasting 2 hours 10 minutes to the French Coast.

1941-11-26

The Air Officer Commanding – in – Chief paid a visit to the Station this morning and expressed himself as, on the whole, satisfied with the progress made. P/O. Szymankiewicz is posted from Speke to this squadron for flying duties.

1941-11-28

The squadron carried out a shopping reconnaisance to the French coast without, however, seeing anything of interest or encountering any opposition. The flight occupied 10 hours 50 minutes.

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