Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-12-01

Hutton Cranswick

The squadron at this period was reaching a state of preparedness at a little after 08.00 hrs. The average day’s flying was accomplished, this including dog fighting, low interceptions, and and Air to Air Firing programme and Cine Camera Gun exercises. P/O. E. Bartys, together with Sgts. Bielicki, W. Gierczycki, J. and Sweryda, J. were posted from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties. F/L. W. Krol left the squadron on posting to No. 316 Squadron for Operations Room duties, whilst F/L. W. Karwowski was detailed to join the squadron from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties in the capacity of Flight Commander. Some delay was experienced in the arrival of the latter officer and the command of “B” Flight was temporarily assumed by F/O. J.W.Dec.

1942-12-02

The weather conditions on this day reached a standard that was much more favourable for flying and all possible advantage was taken of this factor, to carry out quite an extensive practice programme. Other departments failed to provide anything to record.

1942-12-03

A change in the weather caused a curtailment of aerial activity and the day on the whole, proved comparatively unincidental.

1942-12-04

A further deterioration in the conditions of the weather prevented flying locally on this day. One pilot carried out an Air to Air firing programme at R.A.F. Station, Matlask, otherwise the day was uninteresting.

1942-12-05

A continuation of the adverse state of the weather prevented aerial activity and nothing which would merit recording occurred.

1942-12-06

A marked improvement in conditions facilitated a resumption of flying which, however, was again confined to practices, these including interception, aerobatic and cine camera gun exercises. Nothing to report from other departments.

1942-12-07

The average flying practice programme was executed apart from which the day was completely uneventful.

1942-12-08

Weather conditions were normal for this period of the year and did not interfere with flying. In addition to low flying, dog fighting and practice interception exercises, air to ground firing took place on Skipsea Ranges, During the latter exercises an accident involving fatal injuries to an airman tending the targets occurred, in spite of all the relevent preliminary precautions having been taken by the squadron pilots before they opened fire. Nothing of interest occurred in this remaining departments.

1942-12-09

In addition to the normal days flying practice programme, a rescue patrol, which involved 1 hr. 15 mins. flying by one Section, was carried out on this date. The patrol lacked incident. P/O. M. Zolcinski was attached to No. 1 Officers School, Cosford for No. 5 Polish Officers Initial Course, whilst P/O’s. A. Cholajda and C. Jaworowski ceased to be attached to that unit on completion of No. 4 Initial Course.

1942-12-10

The state of the weather was again subject to deterioration and in consequence very little flying was carried out. An 11 Group operation in which the squadron should have participated was postponed. F/O. E.J. Kowalski and Sgt. Zygarlicki, L. proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Portreath, and P/O. Geca to R.A.F. Station, Zeals, to collect aircraft which had been allocated to the squadron. During an attempt to land at Sutton Bridge, in conditions of very strong wind, the squadron Tiger Moth aircraft, flown by Sgt. Pilot Murkowski A. was caught by an exceptionally strong blast and was blown over its back, damage as a result, being caused to the mainplanes and taiplane. The pilot was unhurt.

1942-12-11

A continuation of adverse weather again curtailed the aerial activity and the 11 Group operation which was postponed during yesterday was further postponed in consequence. P/O. B. Geca returned from R.A.F. Station, Zeals, flying one of the squadron’s new Spitfires. Nothing of note to record.

1942-12-12

Hutton Cranswick.

Local fog in the forenoon made flying impracticable. F/O. W.J.Kowalski and Sgt. Zygarlicki, L. returned from R.A.F. Station, Portreath, ferrying the aircraft which they want to collect, and whilst making an attempt to locate the aerodrome, F/O. Kowalski apparently misjudged his height in the conditions of poor visibility which existed, with the result that his aircraft was involved in a violent collision with one of the outbuildings of South Hall Farm, Hutton Cranswick. The aircraft was completely wrecked and the pilot killed. Conditions tended to improve in the afternoon but flying was limited. F/L. W. Karwowski arrived and relieved F/O. J.W.Dec of the command of “B” Flight.

1942-12-13

Weather conditions improvement somewhat and the day was well untilised in the execution of a fairly extensive programme of flying training. Nothing to record from other departments.

1942-12-14

Practice flying again carried out in fairly good weather. The day was not eventful.

1942-12-15

Poor weather conditions existed in the forenoon, Local mist being accompanied by consistent rain, and as a result very little flying was carried out. A slight improvement was experienced in the afternoon, but the day was uninteresting. F/O. B. Krupa, the squadron ex-adjutant arrived to attend the funeral of F/O. E.J. Kowalski.

1942-12-16

A little flying was carried out in the forenoon, but the weather depreciated in the afternoon and prevented aerial activity. The funeral of F/O. E.J. Kowalski took place. After a short service in the Polish chapel the deceased pilot was interned at the Parish Cemetery, Driffield, during a fairly heavy rainstorm. The pilot’s brother, Tadeusz Kowalski, a civilian studying in this country, was in attendance. F/L. B. Pietocha, the Medical Officer i/c the Squadron proceeded to London to attend a Medical Conference to be hale at the Polish Inspectorate General commencing on 17th. December. F/L. F. Kozlowski and P/O’s. J. Piotrowski, Z. Przygodzki and J. Szymankiewicz proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Catfoss, for duty in connection with a Court of Inquiry convened to investigate the circumstances of the accident occurring at Skipsea Ranges on the 8th. of the month.

1942-12-17

Apart from the execution of the average day’s flying training, the day was comparatively unincidental.

1942-12-18

Unsuitable weather conditions impeded all aerial activity on this day and other departments failed to provide anything to record.

1942-12-19

Adverse weather conditions continued and flying was again suspended. Nothing of interest occurred.

1942-12-20

An improvement in the state of the weather made flying once more practicable, and at 08.45 hours 12 Spitfires VB took off for West Malling from which station they were detailed to proceed on the ensuing operation. At 11.45 hours, the aircraft, flown by S/L. J. Zurakowski, F/L. FL. Kozlowski, F/O. J. Dec, P/O. J. Piotrowski, P/O. A. Prochnicki, P/O. S. Litak, P/O. A. Cholajda, F/S. Gora, T. Sgt. Sztuka, S. Sgt. Szymanski, T., Sgt, Bartlomiejczak, C., and Sgt. Plenkiewicz, A. took off in company with twelve aircraft of No. 303 Squadron to partake in a diversionary sweep over enemy occupied territory. The formation left the English coast at Southend at 15,000 feet and crossed the French coast over Dunkerque at 25,000 feet. A warning was received from operation that two groups of F.W. 190 were airborne at a point 10 miles S. of Calais, but these were not sighted. Very heavy flak was experienced at 15,000 feet over Calais, but no casualties were suffered, and all aircraft had landed at West Malling at 12.30, returning from that station to base at 14.25 hours. Other flying was limited, and the remaining departments provided nothing of interest to report.

1942-12-21

The days Flying was confined to that of a non-operational category and nothing of interest occurred in other directions.

1942-12-22

Quite an extensive bon-operational serial programme was carried out including formation, air to air firing and a night flying exercise. Nothing of interest to record. On receipt of preliminary warning 2nd. Lt. W. Winnicki, who had been carrying out Defence Instructional duties on the squadron, proceeded to his unit on cessation of attachment.

1942-12-23

Appreciably good weather conditions were appropriately utilised to carry out practice flying, in addition to which one Section of “B” Flight partook in a Scramble patrol involving one hours flying whilst one Section of “A” Flight took part in an Air/Sea Rescue patrol taking off at 10.45 and landing at 11.35. Neither of the patrols were incidental. F/O. E. Rowinski joined the squadron on posting from D.P.I.G. for Interpreter duties.

1942-12-24

A slight depreciation in weather conditions occurred but this was not allowed to impede aerial activity, and a good practice flying programme took place. Nothing further to record.

1942-12-25

Poor visibility locally made aerial activity impracticable, and other departments provided nothing to record.

1942-12-26

Poor weather conditions continued, and the day, on the whole, bore exact similarity to yesterday.

1942-12-27

Weather remained adverse and nothing of particular interest occurred.

1942-12-28

Slightly improved weather conditions facilitated a resumption of flying, this however, was again confined to practice activity. P/O. A.F. Prochnicki was attached to R.A.F. Station, Duxford, for a cine camera film assessment course at A.F.D.U. whilst instructions were received to post the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader J. Zurakowski, to R.A.F. Station, Northolt for Sector Gunnery Instructor duties and authority also received for the posting of Flight Lieutenant M. Trzebinski from No. 317 Squadron for Squadron Commander duties vice the former officer. Neither movements were affected on this date.

1942-12-29

Formation, cloud and low flying exercises comprised the day/s aerial activity. The day, on the whole, was unincidental.

1942-12-30

Apart from the average day’s practice flying nothing of interest took place.

1942-12-31

Routine practice flying only. Flight Lieutenant M. Trzebinski reported for duty, having arrived on the station during the evening of yesterday, and the handing over the squadron to his command by Squadron Leader J. Zurakowski commenced. P/O. E. Mlynarski, who had served with the supernumerary is an Engineering capacity was posted to No. 317 Squadron to assume similar duties.

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