Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1941-12-01

Exeter

On returning to base after Scramble P/O Pucek flying Spitfire VB AD 372 overshot and crashed the aircraft completely wrecking it, and seriously injuring himself. The Pilot was posted to R.A.F. Station Exeter N.E. Sick. No other flying.

1941-12-02

No Flying. Nothing further to report.

1941-12-03

P/O K. Wojcik was buried at Higher Cemetry, Exeter, No Flying.

1941-12-04

No Flying. Nothing further to report.

1941-12-05

Spitfire A.D. 372 transferred to A.S.T. Southampton. F/O Wisniewski discharged from hospital
6 aircraft on camera gun training. 1 aircraft flew to Wramwell and return.

1941-12-06

Three aircraft, Green Section “B” Flight, Spitfires VB took off From Exeter at 11.[10] hours, landed 12.17 hours on an exercise flight. After 20 minutes and when over Exmouth, Sgt. Brzeski, Leader of Green Section, was asked by Exeter Controller if his section could become operational. On hearing this was possible the Exeter Controller ordered Green Section to Bolthead. At Bolthead the weather having greatly deteriorated ( 10/10thas cloud above 2,000 feet and driving rain Green Leader ordered Green two back to Exeter and with Green Three continued to Rame Head at Buster as ordered by the Polish Controller. At 11.45 Green Section had reached Plymouth Sound when a twin engine e/a was suddenly seen ahead at same height 1,590 feet, flying at about 200 m.p.h. off Rame Head, following coast to the West. Green Leader approached it with full boost and the bandit immediately adapted evasive tacts, climing into the clouds, but not before Green One had got in a burst at 350 yards. After 5 seconds the e/a appeared along 150 yards ahead, a Ju 88. During its violent evasive action, twisting and turning, Green Leader, Sgt Brzeski, identified German Markings on the upper surface of wings of the aircraft, and at 100 yards Green One opened fire with cannon and machine guns in one long burst of four to five seconds, directed upon the starboard engine, which suddenly burst into flames. Out pilot experienced return fire from the e/a and one bullet pierced the starboard aileron of his aircraft. Breaking off only 30 yards behind in a 11.40-11.50 right climb, Sgt. Brzeski saw the Ju 88 turning sharply to port and diving as his starboard engine had broken off. At the same moment portions of the right wing and fuselage were breaking off, and two parachutes, a mine suspended from one of then, opened to the rear of the aircraft and came down into the sea near the coast. Green Leader then dived and gave one final brief burst just before the Ju 88 hit the sea, one mile West of Rame Head, 500 yards from the shore. E/A san at once leaving oil and fuel and inflated dinghy on the water. Green Three spotted the mine and fired at it but without effect. The Controller, Exeter, left Green Section circling spot for five minutes and then gave them the ordered to land. Green Two had landed at 11.37 hours.
12.07 “Rhubart” Operations – Targets 203 and 204. Three sections Spitfires Mark VB, left Warmwell at 12.07 hours. Blue Section ordered to target 204 crossed the English coast at 12.09 hours, Alderney at 12.27 hours and target at 12.38 hours. They remained over the target for five minutes. It is easily located and similar to photographs, being a large white building with tower. Each pilot gave it two long bursts, and afterwards they noticed white smoke, and a little later one of the walls of the tower collapsed. Before leaving the target more smoke was noticed and a fire had broken out. Futher, when on the way home N.W. of Carentan and over St. Come on Mount a big fire was seen with buildings and tanks burning. No flak was experienced throughout the sortie nor any E/A sighted. The whole operation was carried out at 100 feet. Fire on the target being opened from 400 feet and closing over the roof tops. Weather 10/10ths. cloud, with base at 3,500 feet over France. Some rain in the channel. Visibility 10 miles. Target is is claimed as destroyed. Pilots F/Lt. Ozyra and P/O Xezopolski. Section landed Warmwell 13.15 hours.
Target 203 Yellow section crossed the English coast at 12.09 hours reaching the French coast near Barfleur at 12.33 hours and making landfall 10 miles N.W. of Carentan. The target was seen S.W. of the Railway Station at St. Come-du-Mont. No other target was seen at Houteville, which they also visited. They were over the target from 12.36 to 12.40 hours. Each pilot attacked the target twice, which was a large white building, with three large tanks and one broad low tank. The tanks exploded fiercely, and smoke and large fires started. The fires could be seen from 15 miles away.
12.07 – 13.15 After the attack three petrol tanks at the St. Come-du-Mont Railway Station were sighted, but not attacked. Heavy A.A. fire (guns and machine guns ) were experienced near the coast South of Brucheville and both aircraft had a hole in the leading edge of the mainplane, also starboard machine gun was damaged. No e/a were sighted. Target is claimed as destroyed. Pilots P/O Kratke P/O Bochniak, Section landed Warmwell 13.15 hours. Red Section who were also detailed to attack target 203, crossed the English Coast at 12.09 hours, reached the French coast at 12.33 hours making landfall North of Le Porte at 12.40 hours. They flew over Houteville at 500 feet but failed to locate target, neither did they find the alternative target – the railway at Carentan and returned without opening fire. Near Barfleur 2 Me. 109Fs were sighted to port at 2,000 feet, but section did not attack and were not attacked by the E/A. Pilots F/O Kumiega, Sgt. Koscik. Section landed Warmwell 13.15 hours. Hurricane IIB Z.3572 transferred to 257 Squadron Honiley. Other aircraft practised Air to Ground firing and Formation Flying.

1941-12-07

F/O Wisniewski reposted to Squadron for Operations Duty. Spitfires VB AA 941 and A.B. 135 alletted to Squadron from 48 M.U. and delivered by Air. 2 aircraft Scrambled without interception. Other aircraft employed on convoy Patrol, Air to Ground firing, Formation Flying and Camera Gun training.

1941-12-08

Hurricane IIB Z. 3153 transferred by air to No. 32 Squadron Manston. Spitfire VB W. 3425 & A.D. 295 a alletted to Squadron and delivered by air from 129 Squadron and 45 M.U. respectively. P/O Janicki posted to Squadron from No. 302 Squadron and attached to 302 Squadron. Aircraft employed on Convoy Patrol, Formation Flying and G.C.I. Co-operation.

1941-12-09

Aircraft employed on Air to Ground Firing and Convoy Patrol.

1941-12-10

Aircraft employed on air to Ground Firing , Low and Formation Flying.

1941-12-11

Aircraft employed Air to Ground firing, Camera Gun, Local and Low flying. 2 aircraft scrambled without interception.

1941-12-12

P/O Zbrozek posted to Squadron from No. 306 Squadron. 2 aircraft employed on Army Co-operation. 2 aircraft scrambled without interception. Other aircraft employed on Convoy Patrol and Formation flying and Cine Camera Gun Training.

1941-12-13

F/O Wisniewski admitted to S.S.Q Exeter. 5 aircraft scrambled during day without interception. Other aircraft on Convoy Patrol, Formation Flying, Air to Ground Firing and low attacks.

1941-12-14

No Flying. P/O Janicki reported for duty on cessation of attachment to no. 302 Squadron. Pilot Officers Bobala and Hrycek proceed to A.F.D.U. Duxford for course on Cine Camera Gun. F/O Wisniewski discharged from S.S.Q. Exeter.

1941-12-15

Aircraft employed on Air to Ground firing and Camera Gun Training, Low and High Flying, Convoy Patrol, Formation flying. 7 aircraft flew to Bolthead and returned same day.

1941-12-16

Aircraft employed on Convoy Patrol and Camera Gun training. 2 aircraft scrambled without interception. 7 aircraft on Altitude Flying at 35,000 feet.

1941-12-17

5 aircraft on G.C.I. Practice. Other Aircraft employed on Camera Gun Training, Formation Flying, attacks and cloud flying.

1941-12-18

While taking off for an operational Flight, P/O Sikorski, piloting Spitfire AA 941 after commencing his run, stopped on the runway, owing to ground [xist]. F/O Solak being unable to see what had happened, commencing his run on Spitfire W.342[9], and crashed into the aircraft on the runway killing P/O Sikorski. Inspector General of the R.A.F. Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Longmore G.C.B. visited the station. Four Spitfires VB Red Section took off from Bolthead 12.12 hours to 12.18 hours landed 13.25 to 13.40 hours. With five aircraft of No. 306 Squadron they formed lower half of Exeter Cover Wing at 13,000 ft. in “Veracity” and wereordered to patrol a point 15 miles North of Pt. Pntusval to give cover to Bombers returning from attacks Brest at 11,000 feet. Wing Commander [Witornencz] was No. 1. of Red Section, four aircraft in line abreast, which led the wing. Three aircraft Yellow Section followed at 100 yards behind, and two aircraft Blue section 100 yards behind then. On arriving at patrol point, Wing turned left when Red 3, F/Lt. Brzezinski warned Red 1 of aircraft on Right, 15 Halifaxes in groups of about four were sighted returning 1[?] miles away, one group of four being attacked by 9 Me 109s. Red 1 immediately ordered the attack and Red, Yellow and Blue sections dived down and individual combats commenced at 12.45 hours simultaneously. The enemy seemed taken by surprise, as during combats only one pilot received very brief return fire and our pilots were on tails of the e/a in 2 minute combats Diving to attack Red 2, F/O Kumiega gave 1 seconds from behind and above 1 Me 109Fs with cannon at 350 yards, but noticed another Spitfire choosing the same target, so he selected another Me 109F fired 1 seconds, and saw smoke pouring out. Our pilot was then attacked by another Me 109F, evaded in slight turns and diving followed his target getting in two more one second bursts, breaking away at 6,000 feet. E/A continued in steepening dive, hit water and sank 5 miles from French coast. As our pilot circled to confirm this, he saw another Me 109 land in the water 2 miles from coast. He then returned to formation. Red 4, P/O Janicki saw Me 109 with square tipped wings attacking Halifax down sun. He dived to 300 yards and gave 3 or 4 long bursts with decreasing deflection, clowing to 200yards. He broke off 1,000 feet above sea, and e/a continued dive into the sea. He rejoined formation. At 12.50 hours, Red 3 F/Lt. Brzezinski was to fire a one second burst at 300 – 500 yds. At an Me 109 as it passed from Right toleft, giving fill deflection, smoke instantly appeared and Me. Turned right, diving. He could not confirm any result rejoing formation. The remaining Me’s broke away and fled to French coast, and the Halifax carried on no longer [molested.] Our formation returned to Bolthead. Only one square tipped wing was noticed among Me’s and this was Me 109E Camouflage was very dark scheme of brown and grey; light underneath. At the beginning of our attack all the pilots saw a Stirling go into the sea in flames. Position reperted to air/sea rescue on Channel “C”. Position was given.
Air/Sea Rescue Report – VERACITY OPERATION 18/12/41 F/Sgt. Sainsbury (Pilot) and F/Sgt. Barlows (Obserwer) of 276 Squadron Harrowbeer flying Lysander V9743 took off Bolthead 1[4].00 18/12 and landed Bolthead 1630. instructions were given to proceed 45 to 50 miles on Magnetic course 215 degrees. It was understood that the Lysander was to be escorted by Spitfires but these were not seen. In point of fact, the rescue operation was covered by three aircraft of 87 Squadron (1427-1545) and two aircraft of Green Section 317 (Polish) Squadron 15.14 – 1645. 317 Squadron flying 50000 feet patrolled over the speed-boats. The weather was – visibility good, cloud 5/10ths at 5000 feet. The lysander xxx… pursued the course for 50 miles and then strated a square search. When about 60 miles out at 14.40 the Lysander located crew numbering seven in rubber dinghy. The Lysander was greatly assisted by the distress flare. The Lysander then circled for about one hour 20 minutes requesting operations to fix and send rescue boat. At approx. 15.20 three boats were seen approaching – one of witch was apparently an MTB accompanied by two lannches. When the b cats had approached within reasonable distance the Lysander met each boat in turn guiding then to the dinghy. They saw the occupants ofthe dinghy being rescued, after which the Lysander returned to Bolthead. Not far from the dinghy the pilots sighted oil and wreckage on the sea, which served as a useful marker, as the Lysander did not carry smoke floats. During the period from 14.40 until 15.20 the dinghy had drifted about ½ a mile the French Coast. The Lysander pilot states that when he landed it was found that he had approx. 5 minutes fuel left.

1941-12-19

2 aircraft on seven recco. and 2 aircraft on convoy patrol. Other aircraft employed in camera gun training, Air to Ground firing, local flying and dusk flying,

1941-12-20

Pilot Officer Sikorski buried at Higher Cemetery, Exeter. No flying. Nothing futher to report.

1941-12-21

No flying. Nothing to report.

1941-12-22

No flying. Nothing to report.

1941-12-23

13 aircraft proceeded to Bolthead remaining there for the night.

1941-12-24

7 aircraft returned from Bolthead.

1941-12-25

13 aircraft proceeded to Bolthead and remained there.

1941-12-26

No flying. Nothingto report.

1941-12-27

2 aircraft employed on Air to Ground Firing. 10 aircraft returned to Exeter from Bolthead.

1941-12-28

No flying. Nothing to report.

1941-12-29

Aircraft again proceeded to Bolthead returning same day. 6 aircraft were left at Bolthead.

1941-12-30

The 1st cover wing composed of No. 317 Sqdn. (12A/C) and 306 (12A/C) all Spitfires 5HB took off from Bolthead by 13.33 hours 30/12/41 and on patrol at 13,500 feet 10 miles from the French Coast North of Brest at 17.03 hours. Flying in loose line abreast formation and having carried out a complete starboard turn, so that they were now proceeding Northwards, at 17.10 hours. The wing sighted ahead of it and 1000 feet. Below 9Hor more bombers on the point of being attacked by appros. 20 Me,s. The wing thereupon attacked the enemy fighters in line astern, with the following results. Sgt. Maciejewski (317Sqdn) attacked an Me 109 (type unspecified) and after a short burst from astern the petrol tank of the enemy aircraft exploded [exspoyed] and it down vertically out of cont[rol.] Sgt. Maciejewski then attacked a second Me 109 which also went into a veritical dive emitting dense black smoke. The former is claimed as destroyed and the latter as probable. S/Ldr. Szczesny (317 Sqdn) fired a short burst at one Me 109 from 200 yards astern, whereupon the E/A rolled and dived vertically into cloud. Althoigh’ no claim is made, this [ingagement] is under investigation. No cine camera was carried. F/Lt. Ozyra (317 Sdn) and F/O Martel (317 Sqdn.) also engaged one Messerschmitt and no claim is made pending examination of camera films in both cases. Aircraft 317 Sqdn landed Exeter by 15,10 hours. 2 aircraft landed at Harrowbeer by 15.20 hours and 1 aircraft (Sgt Sztramko) previously reported Bolthead approx. 15.25 hours. Our Casualties, Sgt Baranowski Missing, 1 Spitfire VB missing.
Enemy Casualties. 1 Me 109 destroyed (Sgt Maciejewski) 1 Me 109 probable (Sgt Maciejewski)

1941-12-31

No flying. Nothing to report.