Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1945-03-01

Andrews Field.

9 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1478. Escort to 450 Halifaxes and Lancasters on Mannheim. Operation according to plan. R/V made on time. – W/O. Feruga, J. and F/S. Kamecki, R. killed in accident when returning from this operation. – 2 aircraft test carried out.

1945-03-02

9 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1480. Escort cover to 125 Lancasters. Operation carried out according to plan. 2 Mustangs returned early due to technical trouble. 1 Mustang landed at Lesquix – mech. Trouble. – 3 aircraft test.

1945-03-03

There was no operation. – 1 Mustang returned from France. – 2 a/c test.

1945-03-04

Ramrod 1483. Escort cover to 150 Lancasters on Wanna Eikel. Operation carried out according to plan. Uneventful. 9 Mustangs took part in this operation. – 2 a/c test.

1945-03-05

10 Mustangs were engaged in Ramrod 1484. Escort cover front half on GO 1829 Gelsenkirchen Coking Plant. Operation flown according to plan. F/L. Litak killed as a result of engine trouble west of Rhine. 1 Mustang turned back with engine trouble, - 1 a/c Test.

1945-03-06

9 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1485. Escort front half of 120 Lancasters of No. 3 Group on Salsbergen. Bombers 6 to 8 mins. late at R/V and 15 mins late on target. Otherwise operation according to plan uneventful. No bombers seen owing to cloud. No bombers seen in trouble. 1 Mustang returned early owing to mechanical trouble. 1 aircraft test. 2 local flying.

1945-03-07

There was no operational flying. 3 aircraft test carried out.

1945-03-08

No operational flying. 2 aircraft tests carried out.

1945-03-09

10 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1487. Escort to 150 Lancasters. Operation carried out as planned. 1 Mustang returned early owing to mechanical trouble. 2 aircraft tests carried out. P/O’s Ingarden and Borowicz posted to this squadron from 133 Wing.

1945-03-10

11 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1489. Escort to 150 Lancasters on Gelsenkirchen. Operation according to plan. 5 aircraft tests carried out.

1945-03-11

11 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1490. Target cover to 1015 Lancasters, Halifaxes and Mosquitos bombing r/w, m/y at Essen. Operation according to plan. 1 aircraft test carried out.

1945-03-12

10 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1429. Escort to 1036 Lancasters and Halifaxes. Operation according to plan. 2 aircraft landed on the Continent on return from operation owing to mechanical trouble. P/O’s Ingarden and Borowicz carried out their first solo flight. P/O Ingarden crashed on landing. Pilot was safe.

1945-03-13

8 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1494. Escort to 18 Lancasters on Arssby. Bombers 3 minutes late at r/v and crossed in near Hardlot. Otherwise operation according to plan. 3 a/c tests and 1 local flying.

1945-03-14

10 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1495. Escort to 25 Lancasters on Bielefeld Viadyct. Operation carried out according to plan. There was no training flying. W/O. S. Bedkowski posted from No. 133 Wing H.Q.

1945-03-15

Andrews Field.

9 Mustang took part in 1497 (3D) Escort to 70 Halifaxes bombing Gottrop. Bombing appeared very accurate and concentrated. One bomber seen with starboard engine on fire, all crew baled out east of the Rhine. Aircraft test and local flying carried out.

1945-03-16

No operational flying carried out. 6 aircraft flying localy. 783166 W/O Syperek arrived on the Squadron from Biggin Hill Station.

1945-03-17

No operational flying carried out. 8 aircraft on test and local flying.

1945-03-18

11 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1502 (3O) Escort to 50 Lancasters on Hattingen. Operation carried out according to plan. 2 aircraft landed at Continent on return owing to mechanical trouble. 8 aircraft tests and local flying carried out.

1945-03-19

10 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1504 (3B). Operation according to plan, uneventful. One direct hit seen on North span of the Viaduct: several near misses. At 12 o’clock much transport seen on the roads including barges and trains. 1 Mustang returned early owing to mechanical trouble. 1 aircraft test carried out.

1945-03-20

10 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1506 (3O). Target cover to 120 Halifaxes and 16 Lancasters on Recklinghausen. Operation Carried out according to plan. 1 Mustang returned early owing to mechanical trouble. 10 aircraft tests and formation flying carried out.

1945-03-21

11 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1508 (3A). Escort to rear half of 100 Halifaxex. Escort to Lancasters on Bremen.
7 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1509 /3B/ Escort to rear half of 100 Halifaxes. One bomber hit on run in to target. 6 parachutes seen. 3 a/c and local flying carried out.

1945-03-22

11 Mustangs took part in 1510 /3A/ Escort to 200 Lancasters on Hildesheim. Bombers 5 minutes late at R/V. One bomber hit by flak. 7 Parachutes seen in Salingen area. 1 Mustang returned early owing to mech. Trouble. 5 a/c tasts and local flying.

1945-03-23

11 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1514 / 3A/. Escort to 18 Lancasters bombing pin-point target near Badoenhausen. 2 hits seen on railway bridge. 2 bombers damaged over t/s but were escorted safely by fighters. 3 ME. 262 over t/s. One attacked and damaged bomber afterwards chased by fighter escort but escaped owing to its terrific speed. – 2 a/c tests carried out.

1945-03-24

11 Mustangs took part in Versity operation para 15E. Escort to Airborne troops. Operation according to plan. 3 a/c tests and local flying.

1945-03-25

6 Mustangs plus 4 Mustangs with 133 Wing took part in Ramrod 1515 3B. Escort to 8 Mosquitos marking and bombing r/w Centre. Operation according to Plan. 4 a/c tests and local flying.

1945-03-26

No operational flying carried out during the day.

1945-03-27

12 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1512 3A. Escort to 130 Lancasters bombing Target near Bremen. One Mustang landed at Becless on returning from operation due to Engine trouble.

1945-03-28

12 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1522 3C. Escort over front half on 130 Lancasters on blast furnaces and steel works at Hallendorf. R/V. according to plan. 1 Mustang made landed at B.58 after crossing to the Continent owing to engine trouble. 1 a/c test.

1945-03-29

No operational flying carried out.

1945-03-30

Andrews Field.

There was no operation. – 1 Tiger Moth from Station Flight damaged. Cat. “E”. Pilot Officer Ingarden seriously injured. F/O. Kordella slightly injured. 2 a/c tests and local flying, two Mustangs returned from Belgium.

1945-03-31

11 Mustangs took part in Ramrod 1523 3C. Escort to 300 Lancasters and 100 Halifaxes bombing Hamburg. R/V according to plan. Two Mustangs returned early due to mech. trouble. 6 Mustangs flying locally and on test.

[Illegible] F/O
For Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 316 (Polish) Squadron.