Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-07-01

The flying section and part of the ground section of the squadron were operating from Croydon today whilat the remainder of the personnel remained at Heston, being employed on effecting a general state of tidinesa to all working sections, and on the preparation of new dispersal buildings for occupation by the pilots on their return from Croydon. At Croydon one Flight was at readiness and one Flight at 15 minutes avilable from 04.28 until 13.00 hours when both Flights were relased for training, and eventually relased from duty for in the day at 17.00 hours. Weather conditions were slighty unfavourable locally and very little flying was carried out. P/Officer K. Samofal did on Air to Sea firing exercise primarily to test the guns of his aircraft. The day was comparatively unincidental.

1942-07-02

Weather was slighty better on this day, and the state of readiness of the squadron remained at 30 minutes aviable from 0.428 to 17.00 hours when pilots were relased. Six pilots carried out sector reconnaissance flights during the forenoon, and the squadron formation flight and Wing formation flight were carried out during the afternoon. The day on the whole lacked incident.

1942-07-03

Squadron again at 30 minutes available throughout this day from 04.26 to 17.30. Weather conditions reverted to the standard experienced on the first on the month and in consequence very little aerial activity took place. The day closed with noting of interest to report.

1942-07-04

The state of the squadron was 30 minutes available from 04.26 to 10.30 when pilots were relased for the remainder of the day. Nothing of note took place and very little flying was done.

1942-07-05

A repetition of the two previous days states existed at 04.28 on this day and continued until 09.50, whe the pilots were relased for training. Two pilots carried out a sector reconnaissance flight and practise dog fights and aerobatics took place, in addition to which the Magister did several flights from Croydon to Heston and return. At 13.00 one Flight came to readiness and the other to 15 minutes available. The fluctuated fairly erratically during the afternoon until all the squadron came to readinnes at 22.00, hours, and at 22.20 12 aircraft took off an a dusk and night patrol over the Beachy Head area. This was the first operational night patrol in which squadron had participated since it’s formation. At the conclusion of the patrol the aircraft which had taken part landed at Northolt due to better nigfht landing faciclites existing at that station.

1942-07-06

The aircraft which took part in last night’s operational patrol, and which had landed at Northolt, left that station for Croydon at 07.45 hours, landing at the latter station at 08.00 hours. At 08.45 one flight came to readiness and the other to 15 minutes available until 13.00 hours when they were relased for training until further notice, and subsequently relased from duty for the day at 17.10. Sector reconnaisaance flights were carried out, and several pilots flew to Heston and returned to Croydon in Magister, but none these flights provided anything of interest to record.

1942-07-07

The squadron was at 120 minutes available throught the whole of the day from 04.28 to 23.25 hours. All flying and of ground personnel who had proceeded to Croydon on 30th. June, returned to Heston today after a period of comparative inactivity which had somewhat effected the pilots, their having originally proceeded to Croydon in eager anticipation of participating in some interacting major operations. Apart from the all squadron formations flights from Croydon to Heston and two aircraft test flights nothing of further interest in connection with flying occured during the this data from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties, being instructed to report to Heston on the expiration of their leave on 1942-07-13.

1942-07-08

Thengreater part of the day was again devoted to training, the squadron being relased for this purpose at 11.10 having been at 30 minutes available from 04.34. Formation flights and cine camera gun exercises were carried out until17.40 when the pilots were relased from duty for the day, nothig of interest having occured.

1942-07-09

Duty commenced at04.35 on this day with both Flights at 30 minutes available. At 13.00 hours one Flight came to readiness and the other to 15 minutes available, and this state continued until 22.30 when Operations instructed that the squadron be relased until 04.35 on the following day. Squadron formation flying and practice attacks were carried out, but apart from these nothing of interest occured.

1942-07-10

One flight came to readiness at 04.35, and the other to 15 minutes available. This status existed until 09.00 hours when one section remained at readiness, two sections want to 15 minutes available and the remainedr to 30 minutes available. A decided change in the state of the weather was experienced, torrential rainfall and low cloud hampering aerial activites, and pilots were released at 13.00 hours, nothing of importance having taken place.

1942-07-11

The squadron came to 30 minutes available at 04.30, and went to 60 minutes available at 11.05 hours. This state remained in existance until 18.15 when the squadron was relased. No operational flying took place, but quite a number of practise flights were carried out, these including practise attacks and cine camera gun exercises. Nothing of interest to record.

1942-07-12

The state of preparedness at the commencement of the day was 30 minutes available until 11.00 hours when it was altered to one Flight at readiness whilst the other remained at 30 minutes. At 13.00 the squadron came to readiness, and at 13.25 12 Spitfires took off to partake in the first offensive operation of the month, being piloted by S/Leader J. Zurakowski, F/Lieutnants R. Nartowicz and Olenski, F/Officer J. Dec, P/Officers C. Jaworowski, T. Legowski, M. Wyszkowski, W. Balon and J. Szymankiewicz, F/Sgts. Gallus, P and Gawlewicz, K, and Sgt. Ciechanowicz, W., The squadron flew as top squadron making rendezvous with the Tangmere Wing below 500 feet at Tangmere, and setting course from thence for the French coast which was crossed at Mardyck at a height of 22,000 feet. After Mardyck a right turn was made, and the formation flew as far as Audruicq and came out of France at Cap Grisnez, crossing the home coast at Beachy Head. All aircraft landed at base after a flight, the greater part of which was accomplished above cloud, and which was completely unincidental. The state fluctuated from 30 minutes available at 15.25 to one Flight at readiness and the other at 15 minutes to squadron at readiness at 19.15. An offensive operation in which the squadron should have taken part in the evening was cancelled, but three aircraft flown by F/L. Olenski, F/O. T. Szumowski, and P/O. A. Prochnicki took part in Air/Sea Rescue operations, the patrol, which contained no incident totalling 3 hours flying. The pilots were released at 23.18. having been one Flight at readiness and one at 15 minutes at 20.30. hours, and 30 minutes available at 21.00 hours.

1942-07-13

The day commencet at 04.39 with the squadron at 30 minutes available a state which persisted until 09.00 hours when a state of readiness for all the squadron was reached. At 09.16 12 aircraft, flown by S/Leader J. Żurakowski, F/Officers T. Szumowski, J. Dec, and A. Polek, F/Officers C. Jaworowski, T. Legowski, A. Cholajda, J. Saymankiewicz and A. Prochnicki, F/Sgt. Gallus, P. Sgts. Szymanski, T. And Ciechanowicz, W. Took off as bottom squadron of the Northolt Wing on a fighter offensive. Crossing Beachy Head at a height below 500 feet, the formation flew thus for five minutes, and then increased altitude until on crossing the French coast at Le Treport they were flying at 18-19,000 feet. Making a left turn the formation continued the sweep to abort of Aberville where another left turn was made and the coast left South of Le Crotey where some flak was encountered, this bursting some 2,000 feet below and to the rear of the formation. Nothing of interest was seen throught the flight and all aircraft returned safely. At 11.15 a state of 30 minutes was resumed until 12.55 when one Flight came to readiness andthe other to 15 minutes. At 14.00 hours the squadron came to readiness and at 14.10 12 Spitfires flown by F/Lieutnants W. Krol and R. Nartowicz, F/Officers L. Zakrzewski, S. Stegman and F. Kozlowski, P/Officers M. Wyszkowski, W. Balon, K. Samofal, and J. Piotrowski, Sgts. Gora, T., Wisniewski, W., and Lipiec, K., took off to fly as middle squadron of a targrt support Wing. Hailsham was crossed under 500 feet and operational height of 20,000 feet was grained during the flight over the channel. Landfall was made at Le Touquet where a left turn was made and the French coast left near Ambleteuse. Flak was seen coming up from Boulogne directed at the bomber formation, and the pilots reported having observed fires and bursts in the town. 2 warrings of approach of enemy aircraft were received from Operations during the flight, but none of these were seen. All aircraft returned to base. The previous state of one Flight at readiness and one at 15 minutes available was resumed at 16.50 and pilots were relased at 23.15. P/Officer J. Skibinski, and Sgt. Zygarlicki, L. arrived on posting for flying duties from 58 O.T.U. on expiry of seven days leave having been posted to the squadron with effect from 1942-07-07, and Sgt. Pilot Bubes, T. Arrived on posting from 81 Squadron also subsequent to expiry of leave the effective date of posting being the same.

1942-07-14

At 04.15 one Flight came to readiness and the other to 15 minutes available until 06.25 when one Section remained at readiness and the reainder of the squadron want to 120 minutes available. At 13 hours the section at readiness assumed the same state of preparedness as the rest of the squadron, and the state continued until relase at 23.15. Some non-operational flying was carried out but the day was comparatively unincidental.

1942-07-15

A state of 30 minutes available was assumed at 04.42 on this day and the squadron came to readiness at 11.20, returning to the previous state at 16.53 until their relase at 19.30. An Air to Air Firing Programme was carried out at Southend and some local practise flying was done. Nothing of interest to report.

1942-07-16

The squadron again at 30 minutes available at the commencement of this day at 04.43. Instructions for relase on station were received at 09.55 and the squadron remained thus until 12.50 when one Section came to readiness, whilst the remainder were relased off station at 14.00 hours. The weatherwas slighty adverse for flying, only those flights which were necessary – to and from Northolt and Farnboroungh were carried. Nothing of note occured.

1942-07-17

One Flight was at readiness and one Flight at 30 minutes available at 04.43 on this day until 13.00 hours when the squadron was relased for training and eventually relased off the station at 19.30. Some practise flying was carried out but on the whole the day lacked incident. F/officer A. Kowalski posted to No. 302 Squadron for Interpreter duties with effect from this date.

1942-07-18

Squadron at readiness at 04.45 hours until 06.50 it assumed a state of 30 minutes available, which continued until 09.50 when both Flights were relased for training and eventually relased off station at 15.30. Adverse weather conditions in the form of low clouds and consistent rain prevented flying and the day closed without incident.

1942-07-19

Both Flights at 30 minutes available until 12.55 when one Flight came to readiness and one to 15 minutes available. The squadron came to readiness at 14.30, from which time the state fluctuated rather eratically until 23.15 when both Flights were relased. Air Firing was carried out by one pilot, and a small amount of non-operational flying took place, the day closing with nothing of particular note having occured.

1942-07-20

At 04.45 one Flight came to readiness and one to 15 minutes available, a state which continued until 14.30 when the squadron came to readiness in preparation for on offensive operation. At 15.45 12 Spitfires, flown by F/Lt. R. Nartowicz, F/Officers. J. Dec, J. Radomski and T. Szumowski, P/O’s Z. Przygodski, S. Litak, K. Samofal, C. Jaworowski, M. Zelcinski and M. Wyszkowski, F/Sgt. Gawlewicz K. And Sgt. Bubes, T. took off to participate in a Rhubarb operation in company with the remainder of the Wing. The English coast was left at Shoreham, and landfall made east of St. Valery [Illegible]n Caux. Sweeping north eastward the formation made attacks on everhead cables, follwoing which, an attack on a factory at Angiers was carried out. Retaliation with machine gun from the roof of the factory was experienced but two containers in the locality were observed to be issuing blue smoke as a result of the attack. More overhead cables in the Guerne aera were then fired upon, after which an attack on a locomotive and two wagons at St. Pierre le Viger was made. The engine was left steaming and the wagons buring as though they had contained ammunition or some highly inflammable material. Further east a Chateau in which three army cars were located containing 10/12 soldiers in blue uniform and several civilians was discovered, and another ensued. The civilians took shelter in the Chateau, and one pilot fired at the soldiers several of whom were seen to fall. A blister hanger at St. Aubin aerodrome was the next objective, and much light flak was experienced in this district. An attack ona glass roofed building with a red chimmney was carried out at Ferme de Florence and the objective left on fire, as a transformer with small hut west of Gaillarde. Several pilots came out East of Dieppe and the remainder West of Dieppe and both sections experienced much flak from this area. All aircraft after recrossing English coast at Beachy Head landed safely at base between 17.10 and 17.30. During the operation three aircraft piloted by F/Officer. S. Stegman, Sgt Ciechanowicz, W, and Sgt Gora T. patrolled the Channel over the area to be covered by the formation taking part, in order to render immediate assistance in any Air/Sea Rescue operations which may have been necessary. No further flying was carried out and the Squadron was relased at 17.55.

1942-07-21

The state duringthe whele of day from 04.47 to 23.15 was 120 minuted available. Formation flying, low flying, sector reconnaissance and aircraft test flights were carried out, but the day was comparatively unincidental.

1942-07-22

The squadron was at 30 minutes available from 04.49, and was relased for training at 13.20 until 21.00 hours when a state of readiness was reached. The greater part of the day was deveted to formation flying and low flying exercises, and no operational flying was done. The day closed with the relase of the squadron at 22.15, the day having been without incident.

1942-07-23

A state of 30 minutes available came into existance at 04.52 and remained until 12.58 when one flight came to readiness and other to 15 mionutes available. A repitition of yesterday’s flying activities occured, and again the day closed having been without incident.

1942-07-24

One Flight came to readiness and the other to 15 minutes available at 04.53, and remained thus until 13.00 when the squadron was relased for training until 17.25. when they were released off stationo.
During the day, taking off at 14.20, 4 Spitfires flown by F/O. S. Stegman, F/O. E. Kowalski, F/S. Gallus, and F/S Gawlewicz carried out a sweep over enemy occupied territory. Flying in a formation of four until landfall was made at Ca[Illegible]cup, the aircraft then split up into two sections of two, F/O’s. Stegman and Kowalski making a left turn with the intention of carrying out an attack along the railway between Le Crotoy and Etaples. Therir first attack was on a railway bridge S.E. of Le Crotoy and here they experienced Bofors fire coming from astern. Following this an attack was made on some goods waggons which they discovered outside a small railway station S.E. of St. Valery-sur-Somme, and in the same area fired on overhead cables producing many flashes. On each side of the railway and S.E. of Rue they attacked a factory and observed a radio station nearby. Some m.g. fire was experienced coming up from the sloping cliff near Berek when the section left for home, recrossing the English coast at Beachy Head. Meanwhile F/S’s. Gallus and Gawlewicz. having turned right at the French coast fund quite a number of overhead cables at which they opened fire, producing quite a number of flashes. Following railway lines [Illegible] reached Eu, and near the railway statione attacked two small storage tanks. A barrage from light A.A. was experienced from the station. Flying West they reached another smaller railway and discovered a new, but unoccupied gun position, in the vicinity of which there were a number of soldiers. Slight Bofors fire was directed at the section from this area. Later in the flight another storage tank and electricity pylons were successfully attacked. On leaving the French coast, at a point 6 miles East of Dieppe a small sunken boat was seen. When halfway across the channel the pilots received a warring from another airborne Heston aircraft that e/a. Had been sent up to intercept, but none these were seen.

1942-07-25

Squadron at 30 minutes available at 04.55 hrs. Until released for training at 16.00, and eventually relased off station. Quite an extensive training programme was carried out, but no operations were partaken in. Preliminary arrangements for the squadron move were in progress.

1942-07-26

Squadron again at 30 mins. available to commence the day at 04.56. A state of Readiness was reached at 12.00 and the squadron were releasedat 17.35. hrs. after having taken part in a bomber escort operation, commencing at 12.45. The 12 aircraft which took part and which flew as bottom squadron of the Northolt Wing, were flown by S/L.J.Zurakowski, F/L.W.Krol, F/O’s.A.Polak S.Stegman, E.J.Kowalski, L.Zakrzewski, F/O’s. J.Piotrowski, A.Zolcinski, J.Szymankiewicz., and Sgts. Gora, T. Lipiec, K. And Wisniewski, W. F/L.Krol however, having to land almost immediately after taking off owing to some discrepancy wifh his aircraft. The formation crossed the English coast at Newhaven at below 500ft. and after flying thus for 13 mins.gained height and crossed the French coast near Le Touquet at 15,000ft. ft. Just before making landfall in France, they received warning of the approach of e/a. And these were seen in the far distance but were not engaged. The e/a. Saw the squadron and dived inland. Later F/O.S.Stegman saw a JU.88 about a mile to the South and fired a burst, but the range was too great for the result to be observed, and this e/a. Likewise lost little time in diving inland. Another warning was received from Operations to turn to starboard to assist the Tangmere Wing, but owing to heavy flak arising from the Cap Gris Nes area, it was thought that the combat was being fought here and a turn to port was made.
A Spitfire was seen to go down in flames. The formation came out of France East of Calais and sat course for home. During the flight 2 F.W.190’s were seen to N. About to attackfrom astern but the squadron evaded the attack by turning right and causing the enemy to overshoo[Illegible] continuing on a Northerly course the squadron saw a combat between Spitfires and F.W.190’s taking place but the distance away was too great to merit intervention, and the [Illegible]ourney home was continued and completed, all aircraft landing at base.

1942-07-27

Squadron commenced the day at 04.57 by being at the same state as existed at the commencement of yesterday. At 09.30, a state of 60 mins. available was reached, and this continued until 12.55 when one section came to readiness, two to 15 mins. available and the remainder to 30 mins. Subsequently these foll[Illegible] an erratic fluctuation of state, until the squadron was relased at 23.06. Very little flying was done and the day closed with nothing of interest to report.

1942-07-28

Prior to mid-day the state was one section at readiness and the remainder of the squadron at 120 mins. available from 04.59. The Advance party of thesquadron, under the direction of F/O.S.Lipa, left Heston for Hutton Cranswick at 08.15 hrs. During the morning, on the occasion of No. 302 Squadron’s anniversary, General Sikorski visited Heston and bestowed the foll[Illegible]ng decorations on this squadron’s personel. S/L.A.Gabszewicz, ex Squadron Commander, the “Virtuti Militari”. F/L.R.Nartowicz, F/O’s.F.Kozlowski, J.Radomski, J.Dec and T.Szumowski, P/O’s. W.Kiedrzynski, M.Wyszkowski, J.Piotrowski, K.Samofal, C.Jaworowski, J.Szymankiewicz, M.Zolocinski and Z.Przygodski, F/S’S, Gawlewicz, K. And Sumara, K, and Sgts. Szymanski, T. and Wisniewski, W. the “Krzyz Walecznych”. F/S’s. Figiel W. and Rajca, J. The “Grebrny K.Z.I.”. and F/S.Pianko, B. The “Krzyz Zaslugi I”. At 13.00 hours the complete squadron was at 120 minutes available, and the state remained thus until release at 22.59. Flying was limited to practise formation flying and aircraft tests.

1942-07-29

The squadron was at 30 minutes available at 05.01 until 10.25 when the pilots were relased, and subsequently released off station until movement. The final arrangements for the move were attempted and completed and no flying was carried out. In consequence the day was comparatively unincidental.

1942-07-30

Except for the flight from Heston to Hutton Cranswick, no flying was carried out on this day. The Main Party moved to the new station under the direction of P/O.S. Skibinski, arriving there at approximately 19.45 hours, having commenced their journey from Southall at 11.25.

1942-07-31

Throughout the whole of the day, from 08.30 either one or two Sections of each Flight were at readiness. Non-operational flying included sector reconnaissance and weather test flights, and in the late evening three pilots were engaged on dusk flying practise. At 20.20 and 20.30 respectively a Section was instructed to”scramble”, but neither of the flights were incidental. The squadron was released at 22.30.