Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-10-01

Hutton Cranswick.

The squadron came to a state of preparedness at 06.15. Flying was somewhat curtailed owing to the existence of unsuitable weather conditions and was limited for the most part to aircraft tests. Release was authorised at 19.21 hrs.

1942-10-02

One section of „A” Flight was instructed to scramble AT 06.40, the squadron having come to readiness at 06.15. The patrol involved one hour operational flying, having concluded at 07.10. Six aircraft of “B” Flight flew to Ludham, taking off at 09.50. and on the return journey found it necessary to land at Kirton Lindsey owing to the existence of unsuitable weather conditions. Duty concluded at 19.25 hours.

1942-10-03

A state of preparedness was reached AT a similar time to that of the previous days. “B” Flight returned to base from Kirton Lindsey, landing at 11.10 hours, and the remainder of the days flying was confined to squadron formation and aircraft testing. F/O. R. Strozak proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Eastchurch with a party of ground crew personnel totalling 29 in readiness to prepare for a further party of the ground crew which were to proceed by transport aircraft and for the squadron pilots and aircraft. The move, which was to be of temporary nature, and the exact date of which, on the day, was somewhat vague, was assumed to be in connection with a major offensive. The effective date of posting of F/O. B. Krupa, having originally been 23.9.42. was amended to read this date, whilst the appointment of F/O. T. Halka – Lebinski who replaced him as the squadron Adjutant, became that of an officer posted supernumerary for Administrative duties from the effective date of his posting to this date, when he actually took over the duties of Adjutant.

1942-10-04

Having reported for duty AT 06.20. the squadron carried out an almost exact repitition of yesterdays flying programme, nothing of interest in connection with aerial activity having occurred. F/O. W. Przymenski, the Squadron Intelligence Officer, ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Station, Highgate, having been attached to the station for No. 30 R.A.F. Intelligence Course which commenced on 16.9.42. F/L. R. Nartowicz, “A” Flight Commander. was posted to No. 58 O.T.U. for Flying Instructor duties, whilst F/O. Kozlowski was reposted within the squadron for Flight Commander duties, being appointed to the Acting Rank of Flight Lieutenant, with effect from this date.

1942-10-05

A somewhat disinteresting day commenced at 06.20. Aerial activity was limited largely to formation practice. The pilots remained in eager anticipation of instructions to proceed to Eastchurch for operations.

1942-10-06

Operational flying on this day totalled 2 hours 30 mins. this being the result of receipt of instructions to scramble by one section of “B” Flight. The remainder of the days aerial activity was inclusive of formation flying, army co-operation and practice interception. P/O. J.T. Skibinski having been admitted to Beverley Base Hospital, was posted to the strength of R.A.F. Station, Hutton Cranswick, supernumerary, non-effective sick. Leading Aircraftsman Franciszek Radzimski met with the fatal accident on this date, when a motor cycle of which he was the driver, came into contact with an Army ambulance, his pillion passenger, Lac. Franciszek Walkowiak sustaining serious injuries.

1942-10-07

Weather conditions on this date curtailed all flying activity with the exception of a return flight to Kirton Lindsey accomplished by F/O. A. Prachnicki in the squadron’s Tiger Moth. 2nd Lt. Winnicki was attached to the squadron from the Polish Land Army for Defence Instructor duties.

1942-10-08

A more extensive flying programme was carried out on the day, weather conditions having shown an marked improvement. One operational patrol, following an order to scramble, was carried out by a section of “B” Flight and involved one hour ten minutes flying. At 14.45. all the available aircraft and pilots, with the exception of those who remained in a non-operational category proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Eastchurch. Almost simultaneous to the Spitfires becoming airborne two transport aircraft took off carrying a total of 36 ground personnel and some essential equipment. Nothing further, which would merit its recording, occurred on this day.

1942-10-09

Hutton Cranswick.

Operating from Eastchurch, 12 Spitfires VB. Flown by S/L. J. Zurakowski, F/L. W. Krol, F/L. F. Kozlowski, F/O. S. Stegman, P/O. T. Legowski, P/O. Z. Przygodzki, P/O. A. Prochnicki, P/O. M. Zolcinski, F/S. Gallus, P. Sgt. Bartlomiejczyk, C. Sgt. Szymanski, T. and Sgt. Gora, T. took off at 08.55. hours to partake in a fighter offensive as part of a diversionary wing, Flying at an altitude of 25,000ft. Rendezvous was made with two squadrons of the 10 Group wing, at 15,000ft. over Aldeburgh and course was set for 15 miles N.W. of Rotterdam. The formation orbited this area for approximately 10 minutes and then proceeded on the homeward flight. Nothing of interest was seen. All aircraft landed at Eastchurch at 10.35. The weather was exceptionally good, there being 3/10ths. cloud at 3000ft. and visibility was excellent. The squadron landed at Hutton Cranswick at 16.00 hours. having commenced the return flight from Eastchurch at 14.45. The ground crews returned by rail.

1942-10-10

Having reached a state of preparedness at 06.30 hours the squadron resumed the normal days’ activities. A patrol over convoy commencing at 07.55. and involving 2 hours 30 mins. flying, was carried out by one Section of “A” Flight. The remainder of the days aerial activity involved a varied programme of practice flying. Nothing of further interest to record.

1942-10-11

The days flying activity was confined to practicing with the exception of one scramble, done by a section of “A” Flight, which took off at 127.05 and landed at 18.15. the participants reporting the flights as having been unincidental. P/O. E. Gottowt having been employed on the squadron in an Administrative capacity for medical reasons, was posted to No. 278 (ASR) Squadron for flying duties.

1942-10-12

This day was devoid of all categories of operational flying, but was well utilised for the execution of practice flying which included army co-operation, formation exercises and an Air Firing exercise. Nothing of interest to record in other departments.

1942-10-13

Circumstances rendered the participation of one section of “B” Flight in a scramble patrol, this coverings total of 1 hours 30 mins. flying and proving without incident. Further flying included affiliation exercises with Halifax aircraft, army co-operation flights of a reconnaissance […….] Air to Air Firing, diving attacks in conjunction with army formations and practice interceptions. None of the flights produced outstanding incident.

1942-10-14

Having come to duty at 06.40. the squadron carried out the normal days flying practice and the day closed without incident.

1942-10-15

The greater part of the aerial activity on this day was confined to Air to Ground firing exercises, these providing no incident.

1942-10-16

A further uninteresting day with involved the execution of only training flight. P/O. S. Litak rejoined the squadron on cessation of attachment to the Officers School at Cosford, to which unit he had been attached for the purpose of undergoing No. 2 Polish Officers Initial Course which commenced on 16.9.42.

1942-10-17

A state of preparedness was reached at 06.35. and there ensued a day during which a reasonable amount of non-operational flying was carried out. Other sections of the squadron likewise provided nothing of interest to record.

1942-10-18

This days aerial activity included two operational patrols carried out by two sections of “B” Flight, involving 2 hours flying, and both proving without incident. The remainder of the days action included formation, Air to Air Firing and cloud flying exercises, whilst a dusk and night flying programme was carried out in the late evening.

1942-10-19

Having reached a state of preparedness at 06.50, “B” Flight commenced a forenoon which was solely confined to operational activity, scramble patrols over convoy involving 3 different sections, two of which took off twice, commencing at 08.25,. 09.15., 10.15., 11.15., and 12.10., hours. the days operational flying totalling 12.20 hours flying. Apart from this the usual flying taining programme was accomplished and the day closed without providing notable incident.

1942-10-20

One section of “A” Flight were instructed to scramble at 09.20 on this day, the section landing at 10.20, the patrol having provided the pilots with nothing to report. Other flying included only aircraft tests and cine-camera gun exercises.

1942-10-21

A further extensive training programme was carried out, this including Air to Air Firing, Bomber co-operation and High Altitude exercises. Nothing of further interest to record. Six aircraft were at one hour available throughout the night.

1942-10-22

Hutton Cranswick.

A comparatively uninteresting day, during which flying was curtailed by weather conditions, commenced, insofar as this squadron was concerned at 06.55 and concluded at 18.35.

1942-10-23

The days activity included one patrol over convoy which was carried out by one section of “B” Flight and involved 1 hours flying, during which the occurrence of material of interest, as in the remainder of the day was lacking.

1942-10-24

An average day which involved only practice flying, and nothing of interest to record.

1942-10-25

Apart from an operational patrol, executed following instructions to scramble received by one section of “B” Flight, the day was totally uninteresting.

1942-10-26

This day was utilised mainly for the execution of practice flying, all of which lacked incident. F/O. R. Strozak was posted to No. 65 Squadron for flying duties, whilst Sgts. Ciechanowicz and Nowoczyn were posted to No. 164 Squadron in a similar capacity.

1942-10-27

A rather extensive programme of flying training was carried out on this day, but insofar as this type of activity was concerned the day lacked incident. F/O. J. Siekierski and Sgts. Syperek, P. and Dunajewski, L. posted from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties.

1942-10-28

Flying was curtailed on this day owing to slightly adverse weather conditions, and the day failed to provide anything of material interest.

1942-10-29

This day opened with a “Scramble” patrol carried out by two Sections of the squadron and involving a total of two hours forty minutes flying. All other flying was of a non-operational category and was without incident.

1942-10-30

A further day which was devoid of operational flying and which was comparatively uninteresting.

1942-10-31

This day was also confined to the carrying out of practise flying, and other departments failed to provide anything to record. Five aircraft proceeded to Martlesham taking off at 17./20, the duty upon which they were proceeding being, for the present, unknown.

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