Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-09-01

Hutton Cranswick.

A state of readiness and visibility in accordance with instructions issued from Operations was reached at 05.30 hrs. on this morning. Flying was limited to that of a non-operational category, inclusive of a dusk and night flying programme. F/O. A. Kowalski was posted to the squadron for Interpreter duties from No. 302 Squadron and F/Sgt. Sumara, K. was posted to No. 58 O.T.U. for Flying Instructor duties.

1942-09-02

Duty commenced at 05.25. on this morning. The usual state of preparedness existing throughout the course of the day. Again during the day circumstances prevented the necessity for the squadron to participate in any discription of operational flying, and training flying was also somewhat limited. S/L. J. Zurakowski carried out a blackout reconnaissance, commencing at 20.25 and covering a period of two hours, being able as a result, to pass very few observations on the condition of the blackout in the district. The day, on the whole was comparatively unincidental.

1942-09-03

A state of preparedness was reached at 05.30. The whole of the day was devoted to the carrying out of a non-operational programme which included Air to Air Firing, the target towing being done by members of the squadron, dog Fighting exercises and Sector Reconnaissance.

1942-09-04

The squadron proceeded to duty at 05.30. one Section carrying out an operational patrol over the sea commencing at 06.10 and extending over a period of approximately one and a quarter hours. At 13.05 and 13.40 respectively sections took off as a result of receipt of instructions to “scramble” bring the total amount of operational flying for the day to 6 hrs. 40 mins. all patrols having lacked incident. Other flying during the day was inclusive of Dog Fighting exercises at 34,000ft. affiliation with Liberators Bombers, co-operation flying and dusk flying. Duty concluded at 20.39 hours.

1942-09-05

Both flights were on duty at 05.30 again on this day and the amount of flying done was limited, but even so, this included a patrol over Convoy which involved one Section and totaled 2 hours. F/S. Gallus P. was posted supernumerary to the strength of R.A.F. Station, Hutton Cranswick, on admission to hospital, while F/O. K. Sadowski joined the unit on posting supernumerary for Defence advisory duties.

1942-09-06

The normal state of preparedness was again reached at 05.35. on this morning and at 10.00 hrs. the squadron accompanied by the Station Commander, took off for R.A.F. Station, Ludham, to reinforce that Sector. Instructions to “scramble” were issued to the squadron in that Sector at 11.30, 14.20, 15.10 and 16.20 hours, involving four Sections and 4 hours 50 mins. flying and proving without incident.

1942-09-07

The squadron took off from Ludham to return Hutton Cranswick at 09.50. landing at 10.40. A scramble practise was carried out during the day, apart from which nothing of note occurred and the pilots were released at 20.30 hours.

1942-09-08

Subsequent to reporting for duty at 05.40 hours the squadron carried out a fairly extensive flying programme on this day which, though devoid of operational flying, included affiliation with bomber aircraft, cine camera gun exercises, G.C.I. co-operation and an Air to Air Firing programme. the target towing being undertaken by the squadron pilots. Apart from this however, nothing that would merit its recording occurred during the day which closed at 20.25 hours.

1942-09-09

A similar state of preparedness to that of yesterday was reached at the same time on this day. The mornings programme included 2 rescue patrols involving two sections and a Flight formation practice, whilst in the afternoon 6 aircraft took off on a further rescue patrol, which commenced at 16.10 and concluded at 17.20 having provided no incident. A dusk and night flying training programme was executed in the evening.

1942-09-10

After having reported for duty at 05.40. the pilots resumed their training programme by carrying out Air to Air Firing practices, flying with the aid of oxygen apparatus, practice interception and formation practices, apart from which there occurred nothing worth recording.

1942-09-11

Coming to a state of preparedness at 05.40 once again, the squadron executed a repitition of yesterdays flying schedule with the addition of affiliation with Liberator aircraft. Nothing of note occurred.

1942-09-12

Hutton Cranswick.

Duty was resume at 05.45. on this day and aerial activity was confined, for the most part, to carrying out a programme of flying which bore distinct similarity to that carried out on the previous day. At 11.50 one section received instructions to ‘scramble”, the patrol involving 40 minutes flying and like the remainder of the day, proving unincidental. The Flights were released at 20.15.

1942-09-13

Having come to readiness and availability as approptiate at 05.45. the Flights again proceeded to carry out another days training flying, the only diversion being a “scramble” which was ordered at 11.30 hours and totalled 70 mins. flying. Dusk and night flying took place in the late evening, but the day was, on the whole, unincidental.

1942-09-14

A resumption of the usual state of preparedness occurred at 05.45. and apart from practice flying which included high altitude exercises, bomber affiliation and G.C.I. co-operation, the day failed to provide anything of note.

1942-09-15

The squadron came to duty five minutes later on this day. The normal day’s flying programme was carried out with the addition of “A” Flight’s participation in a defence of the aerodrome exercise in which “beaverettes” of the attacking force, comprising personnel of the R.A.F. Regiment, were most successfully “beaten up” and the pilots work learned particular praise from the umpire. Sgt. Pilots Murkowski, A; Orzechowski, T; Sztuka, S; and Starzynski, H; and Plenkiewicz, A; were posted to the squadron from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties.

1942-09-16

A rather more interesting but uneventful day opened at 05.50. At 08,30. The squadron took off for Coltishall, from which station they took off at 12.15 in company with No. 303 Squadron to act as second rear support to 9 Bostons in No. 12 Group Circus No. 1. Operation. The bombers and their escort were forced, by adverse weather conditions, to turn back 10 miles from the Dutch coast but as a point 18 miles from the Dutch coast the squadron turned left and flew parallel. No e/a. were seen during the operation in which S/L. J. Zurakowski, F/L. W. Krol, F/O. F. Kozlowski, P/O’s. A. Cholajda, K. Samofal, Z. Przygodzki, T. Legowski, C. Jaworowski, F/S. Gawlewicz, K. and Sgts. Gora, T. Zygarlicki. L, and Nowoczyn, W. participated. Subsequent to landing at Coltishall at 14.00 and refueling the squadron returned to base at 16.00 hours. F/O. W. Przymenski the squadron Intelligence Officer proceeded to Highgate for No. 30 R.A.F. Intelligence Course “A”. whilst F/O. S. Litak left for Cosford to undergo No. 2 Polish Officers Initial Course.

1942-09-17

The Flights came to duty at 05.55. and there followed a day in which aerial activity was again confined to training flying and nothing of interest occurred. A night flying programme was carried out after the fall of darkness.

1942-09-18

A state of preparedness was reached at 05.55. Aerial activity included formation practice, bomber affiliation and high altitude flying (30,000ft.) The day, on the whole, was uneventful.

1942-09-19

A further day on which nothing of note occurred, commenced when the pilots reported for duty at 05.55. and concluded with their release at 20.00 hrs.

1942-09-20

At 05.55. a state of preparedness was reached and the squadron were detailed to move to Ludham in connection with an 11 Group operation but adverse weather conditions suspended aerial activity throughout the day. P/O. J. Szymankiewicz returned to the unit on cessation of attachment to R.A.F. Station, Sutton Bridge, Nothing further to record.

1942-09-21

The flying practice programme was continued on this day, consequent upon the prevalence of better weather conditions, the Flights having reported fir duty at 15.55. Nothing of outstanding note occurred.

1942-09-22

This day, having commenced at 05.55. was also devoid of operational flying. Non-operational flying included cloud flying, formation, and night flying, none of which practices were incidental. F/S. Gallus reported to the squadron for flying duties following a period of non-effectiveness.

1942-09-23

The day contained nothing to record apart from a continuation of the normal practice flying programme, to which was added one “scramble” this involving a total of 40 mins. flying by one section and being uneventful.

1942-09-24

Aerial activity undertaken on this day was of similar category to that of the past few days. Circumstances did not render operational flying necessary at any time and the day closed, having provided nothing of interest. F/O. T. Halka-Lewbinski was posted to the squadron to take over the duties of Squadron Adjutant vice F.O. B. Krupa, who, having served with the squadron since its formation was detailed for posting to No. 16(P)S.F.T.S. to fill a F/Lieut. Station Adjutant) post.

1942-09-25

Hutton Cranswick.

Having come to a state of preparedness at 06.05. the squadron made preparation for an early morning move to Martlesham in connection with an 11 Group operation, the instruction for which were eventually cancelled. A fairly extensive training programme was carried out, but circumstances necessitated no operational flying. A night flying programme was carried out in the late evening.

1942-09-26

This day was again devoid of operations, but the time and reasonably suitable weather conditions were appropriately utilised to carry out an appreciable amount of training. Nothing further to record.

1942-09-27

Coming to readiness at 06.10 one Section of the squadron carried out a patrol over convoy commencing at 07.35. and at 15.45. one section, one aircraft of which failed to take off, was instructed to “scramble” for interception. The total operational flying for the day amounted to 1 hr. 40 mins. whilst the normal training programme was carried out.

1942-09-28

Adverse weather conditions curtailed serial activity to the greater extent on this day, the total amount of flying amounting to 2 hrs. and 20 mins, this being of a non-operational category. F/O. A. Polek, F/Sgt. Gawlewicz, K. and Sgt. Bubes, T. were posted to No. 182 Squadron for flying duties.

1942-09-29

Aerial activity was again confined to practice flying, this inclusive of bomber co-operation and formation flying. F/O. R. Karnowski, Sgt. Michalkiewicz, and Sgt. Wlosok – Nawaeks, were posted to the squadron from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties.

1942-09-30

Poor visibility and heavy rainfall prevented flying in the forenoon, but a marked improvement in the weather conditions enabled a certain amount of flying to be carried out later in the day.
Three aircraft underwent aerial test following servicing, and a cine camera gun exercises was carried out. The day was unincidental.

for T. Halka – Łebinski. F/O. [Autograph]
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 316 Squadron.