Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-11-01

Hutton Cranswick.

At 07.15. the squadron reached the normal state of preparedness and in the early morning
5 aircraft left the station for Martlesham, from which station four of these, flown by F/O. S. Stegman, F/O. E.J. Kowalski, F/O. A. Cholajda and S/L. K. Zurakowski, took off at 09.40 with the specific intention of carrying out an attack on a hutted camp near Zeebrugge in Belgium. Unfavourable weather conditions caused the formation to return before reaching their objective and a landing was carried out at Martlesham at 10.50. the formation returning to base during the afternoon. Two Sections were instructed to “scramble” at 10.40 and 10.50. hours respectively, the patrols, which included a total of 3 hours 120 minutes flying, both proving without incident. F/O. E. Mlynarski was reposted within the squadron, supernumerary for engineer duties on appointment to a commission in the Technical (Engineering) Branch.

1942-11-02

Unfavourable weather conditions were attributable to a limitation of flying activity on this day and no operational flying was included. On the whole the day was unincidental.

1942-11-03

A state of preparedness was reached at 07.20. The day’s aerial activity included one “scramble” patrol, which provided nothing of interest, and a reasonable amount of practice flying., inclusive of formation flying, practice attacks and aircraft tests.

1942-11-04

The amount of flying carried out was again limited owing to the poor state of the weather. P/O. K. Samofal was posted to No. 58 O.T.U. for flying instructional duties.

1942-11-05

Aerial activity once more subjected to limitation due to the state of the weather. F/O. J. Szlachcic joined the squadron on posting supernumerary for Engineer duties, otherwise nothing which would merit its recording occurred.

1942-11-06

A rather more extensive flying programme was carried out on this day, this including formation exercises, and tests, but the day was once more devoid of operational activity. Other departments provided nothing of interest.

1942-11-07

The normal days practice flying programme was carried out, but apart from this, the day was comparatively uninteresting.

1942-11-08

After coming to readiness or availability, as appropriate, at 07.30, the squadron took off at 07.41. hours to proceeded to West Malling in order to participate in an 11 Group operation. Taking off from the station at 11.25 hours, a formation of 12 aircraft flown by S/L. J. Zurakowski, F/L. F. Kozlowski, F/O’s. S. Stegman and J. Kowalski, P/O’s. J. Szymankiewicz, M. Zolcinski, W. Kiedrzynski, C. Jaworowski, T. Legowski, F/Sgt. Gallus, F. and Sgts. Orzechowski, T and Zygarlicki, L. set course via Beachy Head, for Cayeux on the French coast, over which point they orbited to cover the entry and withdrawal of Fortress bombers which were to carry out attacks on the Abbeville – Drucat aerodrome. No enemy aircraft were seen nor was any flak encountered. All aircraft of the squadron landed at West Malling at 13.05 hours returning to base later in the afternoon. Nothing of further interest occurred.

1942-11-09

Apart from a limited programme of non-operational flying the day lacked incident.

1942-11-10

The flying programme on this day was rather more extensive, but nothing of exceptional interest in this department occurred. F/O. S. Lipa, left the squadron on posting to No. 18 O.T.U. for Engineer duties.

1942-11-11

No operational flying became necessary on this day, but an extensive practice flying programme, including low flying attacks and an affiliation exercise with Halifax aircraft, took place. P/O. J.. Skibinski rejoined the squadron for flying duties on cessation of a period of Non-effectiveness (sick), during which he was held supernumerary on the strength of R.A.F. Station, Hutton Cranswick. P/O. C. Jaworowski and P/O. A. Cholajda were attacked to the Officers School, Cosford to attend No. 4 Officers Initial Course.

1942-11-12

A rather uninteresting day commenced at 07.35. and concluded with the release of the pilots at 17.59.

1942-11-13

Slightly more flying was carried out on this day but the greater part of it was confined to formation exercises. No other department provided anything of interest to report.

1942-11-14

A further non-operational day during the course of which nothing of interest occurred.

1942-11-15

The usual programme of practise flying was accomplished this day, with the addition of a dusk and night flying programme.

1942-11-16

Having come to a state of preparedness at 07.40. the squadron utilised the day to full purpose by executing cine camera gun exercises, practise raid interception and an affiliation with bombers exercise. The day was completed by carrying out a night flying programme.

1942-11-17

The day was devoted to the execution of an appreciably extensive practice flying programme, apart from which nothing of interest occurred.

1942-11-18

Another day which was confined to the carrying out of practice flying. F/O. K. Sadowski was posted to No.25(P)E.F.T.S. following the completion of a tour of duty as Defence Advisor to the squadron.

1942-11-19

Adverse weather conditions limited the amount of flying carried out on this day, but the four flights accomplished included a “scramble” patrol, which involved on Section of two aircraft and a total of 30 mins. flying. Nothing of further interest to record. F/O. A. Kowalski proceeded to Morpeth for Interpreter duties at a District Court Martial.

1942-11-20

An improvement in the weather conditions aided the execution of the normal practice aerial programme. F/O. A. Kowalski returned to the unit from Morpeth having completed the tour of temporary duty as Interpreter.

1942-11-21

The foremost occurrence of the day was the participation of 4 Spitfires VB. Flown by P/O. J. Szymankiewicz, P/O. P. Karnkowski, F/S. Lipiec, K. and F/S. Gallus, P. in a „Rhubarb” operation. The formation took off from Ludham, having proceeded to that station during the morning, at 13.45. hours and crossed the Dutch coast 3 miles North of Ijmuiden. P/O, Karnkowski and F/S. Gallus made direct flight to the marshalling yards at St. Nicholas, but no rolling stock was seen. The section swept round and returned for a second look, but on making certain that nothing was present, they set course for home. In the meantime, P/O. Szymankiewicz and F/S. Lipiec en route for their target, saw a large oval tank approx. 30 ft. in height, dull white in colour, in the corner of a field, just South of Uitguest. The section attacked the tank and flames shot out from its base where the aircraft ammunition struck. Before leaving the location the pilots looked back and saw the top of the tank ablaze. Strong light flax was experienced by all four aircraft as they flew out North of Ijmuiden, but none of the aircraft was hit and all had landed at Coltishall at 15.24. hours. Nothing further to report.

1942-11-22

The usual days practice flying was accomplished in addition to which a night flying exercise was carried out. During the later exercise a Spitgire VB flown by Sgt. Pilot Orzechowski, T. was involved in air collision with a Beaufighter VI flown by a No. 2 O.T.U. pilot As a result of this accident both pilots last their lives.

1942-11-23

Aerial activity was once more curtailed on this day by the existence of poor weather conditions. F/O. K. Skrzypecki, who had to the present been employed in the capacity of Squadron Intelligence Officer, was posted to No. 5351 Works Wing to gain experience in modern methods of aerodrome construction, whilst Sgt. Pilot, L. Dunajewski left the squadron on posting for flying duties to No. 288 Squadron.

1942-11-24

Similar weather conditions to those of yesterday hampered aerial activity and there arose nothing of consequence to report in the department. F/I. J.T. Skibinski and Sgt. Pilot Michalkiewicz, K. left the unit to join No. 610 Squadron for flying duties. Members of the unit were somewhat grieved to learn of the death as the result of a flying accident of F/O. E. Strozak who left the squadron on posting with effect from 31.10.42.

1942-11-25

Slightly improved weather conditions facilitated the execution of a slightly more extended programme on this day, the days aerial activity including practice interception, cine camera gun exercises, aerobatics and affiliation with bomber aircraft. During one of the exercises, the engine of a Spitfire VB flown by F/O. E.J. Kowalski cut out as the result of a technical failure and a reasonable amount of skill on the port of the pilot brought the machine down in a crash landing on ground adjacent to Willowby Would Farm, near Cayton in Yorks. The pilot was uninjured but the aircraft suffered some damage. F/O. A. Kowalski was posted from the Squadron to No. 306 Squadron for Interpreter duties. Further news of the death of an esteemed past member of the squadron was received on this day when W/C. A. Gabszewicz the ex Squadron Commander telephoned information regarding the death as the result f a flying accident of P/O. K. Samofal, who left the unit on posting on 3.11.42.

1942-11-26

The return of unfavourable weather conditions tended somewhat to hamper aerial activity. Sgt. Pilot Orzechowski, T. was buried at Driffield, in the Parish Cemetry, after a funeral with Military honours.

1942-11-27

Weather condition, in exact similarity to those of yesterday had the same effect on flying. A low flying exercise, however, was carried out. Sgt. Pilot M. Lurzynski was posted to the unit for flying duties.

1942-11-28

Unfavourable weather conditions continued, and very little flying was done. As a result, the day was uninteresting.

1942-11-29

Weather conditions were subject to very little improvement and in consequence, with the exception of four aircraft which proceeded to Coltishall and returned and one which proceeded to Catfoss, also returning, aerial activity was negligible and other departments provided nothing to report.

1942-11-30

A marked improvement in the state of the weather was noticeable half way through the forenoon and an appreciably busy day ensued, 6 sections of two aircraft having carried out “Convoy Patrol” duty, the first section taking off at 10.00 hours and the last section landing at 16.30 hours, throughout which time a constant patrol, during which no eventuality occurred, was maintained. The total operational flying for the day amounted to 17hours 30 mins. Nothing of further interest to report.

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