Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-02-01

Hutton Cranswick.

Weather appreciably good on this day, and advantage was taken of the conditions to carry out a fairly extensive programme of practice flying, this including high altitude, formation, cine camera gun and aerobatic exercise. Nothing further to record.

1943-02-02

A similar, but not quite so extensive, a flying programme to that of yesterday was carried out. F/Sgt. W. Wisniewski joined the squadron on posting from No. 58 O.T.U. for flying duties.

1943-02-03

With the exception of the execution of a reasonably large programme of practice flying nothing of interest occurred on this day.

1943-02-04

Practice flying continued on a fairly large scale. Flying Officer J.W. Dec re-joined the unit on cessation of attachment to the Fighter Leader School subsequent to the successful completion of his course, whilst Flying Officer A.F. Prochnicki ceased to be attached to No. 1 Officer’s School. Having completed No. 6 Polish Officers Initial Course.

1943-02-05

A move to West Mailing in connection with an 11 Group operation was anticipated, but the unfavourable state of the weather made it necessary to cancel the instructions. Weather locally, however, was appreciably good and practice flying took place. The course of events in other departments was uninteresting.

1943-02-06

One “Scramble” patrol took place commencing at 09.15. the aircraft landing at 09.25. The flight, which involved one Section, was inincidential. The remainder of the day’s flying involved only flying exercises.

1943-02-07

Further practice flying carried out. S/Leader J. Trzebinski, the Squadron Commander, proceeded to R,A,F, Station, Evanton, for duty in connection with a General Court Martial, whilst Flying Officer J. Szlachcic, the Squadron Engineer Officer, was attached to Messrs. Vickers Armstrong, Limited, Birmingham for a course of instruction on Spitfire airframes.

1943-02-08

Only one attempt at flying on the day, consequent upon weather conditions being unfavourable, this following instructions to “scramble” and involving one section of “A” Flight and 35 mins.
Nothing to report from remaining departments.

1943-02-09

Hutton Cranswick.

The average day’s non-operational flying was carried out, this inclusive of Low Navigational, Aerobatic and Cine Camera Gun exercises. F/O. C. Jaworowski and F/O. M. Zolcinski proceeded to Messrs. Rolls Royce, Derby, having been selected for inclusion on a Merlin Engine handling Course.

1943-02-10

Flying on this day, being somewhat limited, was devoted solely to the execution of high altitude exercises. F/O. W. Gnys was posted from No. 302 Squadron to the unit for flying duties.

1943-02-11

One section of “A” Flight proceeded to R.A.F. Station, Martlesham, for the purpose of proceeding from that station on a “Rhubarb” but the operation was subsequently cancelled, weather having proved unfavourable. The state of the weather locally, however, was not of a sufficiently depreciated condition to obstruct flying in the area, and an average days non-operational flying was accomplished. Other departments were uninteresting.

1943-02-12

The predominance of exceptionally bad weather conditions was the cause of a suspension of flying on this day, which concluded having provided nothing of interest to record.

1943-02-12

An improvement in the state of the weather facilitated a resumption of flying, which however, was confined to training. The day provided nothing of comparative interest.

1943-02-14

A continuance of the favourable conditions, of yesterday made flying practicable, but again the programme was devoid of operational activity. F/O. S. Szal was detached to R.A.F. Station, Highgate having been detailed to attend an “A” Intelligence Course.

1943-02-15

The weather was subject to a slight depreciation and in consequence flying was limited. The day was uninteresting.

1943-02-16

Slightly more aerial activity with that of yesterday and the programme concluded with a night flying exercise.

1943-02-17

One operational flight was fulfilled, this involving one section of “B” flight, commencing at 09.50and concluding at 10.30. The pilots had nothing to report on landing.

1943-02-18

Weather conditions reached an almost ideal standard on this day, and the aerial programme was reasonably extensive, thought it was confined to flying of a non-operational category. F/O. J. Dec proceeded to the Technical Studies Department of the Inspectorate General of the Polish Air Force for an interview in accordance with instructions received from the Air Ministry. The nature of the interview was not specified.

1943-02-19

Hutton Cranswick.

Apart from the average routine, which involved only the execution of practice flying, the day lacked incident.

1943-02-20

Aerial activity was slightly extended and the programme was inclusive of a practice close escort exercise with Typhoons. So far as it could be reasonably stated at this juncture, the exercise was a success.

1943-02-21

Poor conditions obstructed flying, two flights only taking place, during the whole of the day. The eve of the second anniversary of the squadron was marked by the arrangement of a dance, which took place in the Station N.A.A.F.I. in a room which had been prepared with admirable artistic taste by F/O. S. Litak and Cpl. W. Milewski.

1943-02-22

A notable day, it being the second anniversary of the formation of the squadron. No. 302 Squadron operating at Kirton-in-Lindsey, took over the whole of the Sector an doccurrence which allowed the release of the pilots and ground crews for the complete day. Local fog during the morning caused the cancellation of a parade during which photographs and action pictures were to have been taken by the Polish Film Unit, but Luncheon, which was attended by the Principle Polish Padre, G/Cpt. Miodonski, the Wing Commander Flying, No. 2 Polish Wing, W/C. A. Gabszewicz, whose interest in the event was somewhat extended by virtue of the fact that he commanded the unit during its early sages, the Station Commander, Squadron Leader Administrative, Adjutant and representative of most of the departments of the station, the Officers Commanding or representatives of several other Polish Squadrons, numerous ex-members of the squadron an all present members thereof, commenced on schedule. To conclude the even, a rendition of a Polish Panorama, “Lwowska Fala” was given in the Station Theatre.

1943-02-23

Hutton Cranswick.

No flying carried out on this day due to the extensive of unfavourable weather conditions. F/L. F. Kozlowski, F/O. W. Gnys, F/O. T. Legowski. F/S. Gallus, F/Sgt. Szymanski, T. and Sgt. Zygarlicki, L. together with the members of the Squadron ground crews were detached to No. 306 Squadron, primarily the familiarizes themselves with the handling of Spitfire IX aircraft.
Sgt. Pilot Plenkiewicz, A. was posted supernumerary, N.E. (Sick) to R.A.F. Station, Hutton Cranswick on admission to Hospital.

1943-02-24

Flying was limited consequent upon there being Little improvement in the state of the weather. The day was uneventful.

1943-02-25

Practice flying was carried out on a large scale, the day, however, closed having provided nothing of interest to record.

1943-02-26

The day was devoted to the execution of training flying, and was unincidential.

1943-02-27

With the exception of one operational patrol, partaken in by one section, and which continued for one hour and was unincidential, the days flying was confined to practice. Nothing further to record.

1943-02-28

The day was confined to non-operational flying, and was comparatively unincidential.

[Illegible] F/O.
Squadron Leader, Commanding.
No 316 Squadron.