Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-02-01

[Illegible]ar.

P.0732 F/O. Grazinski, Z was posted from No. 3 S. of T.T. Blackpool as Supernumerary to the Squadron Engineer Officer. P.0898 F/O Szumowski was posted from the Squadron to No. 316 Squadron, Northolt. 76700 F/O. Kumiega, T was attached to H.Q. No. 11 Group for a course of Advanced Tactical Training. The Squadron was at 30 minutes until 13.00 hours and were at 30 minutes from then till dusk. There was no flying because of bad weather.

1942-02-02

P.0217 F/O. Mencell, J. reported to the Squadron for duty (flying) on being posted from No. 308 Squadron. 780671 Sgt. Pilot Domagala, M. was posted to No. 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth as Flying Instructor. S/Ldr. Szczesny and F/O. Weber, the Squadron C.O. and Adjutant respectively proceeded to Polish Inspectorate General on Temporary Duty. The weather was fine enabling the Squadron to carry on with flying training, the Squadron being at Readiness from Dawn to 13.00 hours and then at 30 minutes.

1942-02-03

During the day two sections were called for Convoy Patrol, but this was cancelled because of bad weather. The Squadron was at 30 minutes all day. The C.O. and the Adjutant returned from London. Instructions were received for the promotion to F/Sgt. of Sgt. Pilot Brzeski, Trybulec, Koscik and Maciejewski w.e.f. 1.9.41.

1942-02-04

Squadron was at Readiness from Dawn to 13.00 hours, and then at 30 minutes for the remained of the day. There was no flying as the weather was still bad. P.1490 P/O. Szulc was discharged from the R.A.F. Officers Hospital at Torquay.

1942-02-05

The weather was fine all day and the Squadron was at Readiness until 13.00 hours and then at 30 minutes. There were no operational flights, and the opportunity was taken to carry out more flying training.

1942-02-06

The Squadron was at 30 minutes all day and carried out flying training including Dusk Flying. One A/C was attached to the Squadron from No. 6 M.U. and was delivered by air. There was nothing further to report.

1942-02-07

There was no flying owing to bad weather, the Squadron being at Readiness from 12.00 hours until dusk.

1942-02-08

Good flying weather and the Squadron carried out more flying training, apart from which only two A/C were called from Convoy Patrol during the morning. The Squadron being at Readiness to 13.00 hours and then at 30 minutes.

1942-02-09

The Squadron was at 30 minutes was ordered to proceeded to the Advanced Aerodrome at Bolt Head in the afternoon there to await instructions to provide bomber escort for an attack on shipping. On arrival the Squadron immediately assumed a state of Readiness but no further instructions were received that day, except for three sections to Scramble at 15.10 hours, 17.20 hours and 18.30 hours respectively, no interception being made.

1942-02-10

Squadron still in readiness and awaiting instructions at Bolthead, but the day was quiet. 76724 F/O Pucek, W was reported back to the Squadron from R.A.F. Station Exeter, on ceasing to be non effective sick after crash. “Operation Fuller” . This operation which was to have been part of a far greater operation leading to action between the Scharnhaust, Gniesenau and Prinz Eugen, did not take place due to these ships having already reached the “Pas de Calais” before their presence was detected.

1942-02-11

Squadron still at readiness at Bolthead, but nothing happened. The C.O. proceeded to S.A.A.D. Shrivenham for a short course on Searchlight and Anti-Aircraft Co-operation. P.1734 P/O. Elmeryck 780566 Sgt, Pilot Grobelny, W and 784731 Sgt. Pilot Kolcznski, A were posted to the Squadron from Bo, 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth for flying Duties.

1942-02-12

No instruction received at Bolthead and Squadron returned to Exeter in the afternoon, leaving one section behind. 3 Dornier 217 A/c were in the vicinity of the aerodrome at approx mately 07.45 hours and were greated with A.A. fire. One of the A/c appeared to have been struck as he came down low and seemed unable to gain height, to clear the trees which he struck with one of his wings and owing to his speed strewed wreckage over a distance of about 300 yards before finally crashing near the airmens’ quarters. The crew of 4 were killed outright, but no damage was done to the airport and there were no casualties amongst the personnel.
One A/c of No. 307 (P) Squadron also stationed at Exeter, crashed about 02.00 hours the occupants being killed. Cause not known at present.

1942-02-13

Good flying weather and the Squadron carried out more flying training, only two sections being at readiness from 13.00 hours to dusk. The remainder being at 30 minutes. Another A/c of No. 307 Squadron crashed a\t 08.45 hours having apparently got into a steep dive and being unable to pull out. Both the occupants were killed.

1942-02-14

S/Ldr. Szczesny returned to Exeter having completed the course at Shrivenham. The weather was cold but fine and two sections were at Readiness to 13.00 hours at Exeter and 1 section at Bolthead. No. 307 Squadron having come bad luck as another of their a/c crashed this morning killing one of the crew and seriously injuring the other. Nothing further to report.

1942-02-15

Frosty and cold with some haze clearing later to fine weather. Squadron was at 30 minutes all day and carried on with training. Sgt. Pilots Brzeski and Malinowski operating from Bolthead were ordered to Scramble at 08.15 hours and intercepted an A/c but owing to the mist mistock it for a Focke Wulf and shot it down. Unfortunately it was later confirmed to be a friendly a/c.

1942-02-16

Weather cold but fine. Squadron was at Readiness from 13.00 hours till dusk. The section left at Bolthead returned to Exeter. H.R.H. the Duke of Kent paid a visit to R.A.F. Station Exeter and during his tour of the camp interviewed all air crews.

1942-02-17

Weather dull and cloudy “A” Flight was at 30 mins. all day and “B” Flight in Readiness to 13.00 hrs. and them at 30 mins. Instructions were received by signal from H.Q.F.C. for the move of the Squadron to Northolt on 20.2.42 to release No. 315 Squadron. F/O. Zbrozek flew to Aston Down to get a model of a Focke-Wulfe for the of the Court of Enquiry on the shooting down of the friendly A/c on 15.2.42.

1942-02-18

The weather was cold with cloud but was good flying weather. “A” Flight being at readiness to 13.00 hours and “B” Flight at 30 minutes all day. Another signal was received from H.Q.F.C. cancelling the previous instructions for the move to Northolt. As the Squadron wished to celebrate the first anniversary of its formation this was quite satisfactory. The Three pilots posted to the Squadron from 58 O.T.U. on 11.2.42 reported, for duty on the expiration of their leave after completing their course at the O.T.U. F/O. Szulc was instructed to report for Medical Board at No. 1 C.M.B. Halton.

1942-02-19

Cold cloudy weather which later turned out fine with some haze. “A” Flight was at 30 minutes all day and “B” Flight at Readiness from 09.00 hours to 18.40 hours. Everyone actively engaged in preparing for tomorrows celebrations.

1942-02-20

The day turned cut cold and cloudy but did not interfare with the programme. Mass was celebrated at 09.00 hours and at 10.00 there was a March Past of the Squadron, the salute being taken by General Zeligowski, supported by Group Capt. Iwaszkiewicz from the Polish Inspectorate and Pawlikowski from H.Q.F.C. A parade of Squadron A/c was held at 10.15 hours and everyone proceeded for lunch at 11.15 hours. After a variety show by a Polish Company during the afternoon, the day ended with a dance at the Barnfield Hall, Exeter. Many of the pilots who had been members of the Squadron managed to get here to help in the celebrations and a good time was had be everyone. The Squadron was released for the day.

1942-02-21

Cold and cloudy but good flying weather, the Squadron being at Readiness from 09.00 hours to 13.00 hours and from 16.00 hours to dusk. And at 30 mins. for the remainder of the day. An invasion carried out by the army began with the intention of making a landing at Slapton Sands. Squadron Nos. 247, 306, 307 and 317 being asked to co-operate with the enemy. In connection with this P/Os Kratke, and Zbrozek took off at 17.10 hours and Beat up Kingsbridge, Iverybridge and Dartmouth and landed at 18.10 and 17.40 hours respectively/ F/Sgt. Trybulec and Sgt. Kuryllowicz taking off at 17.20 hours “Beat up” Newton Abbott, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and Totnes and returned to base at 18.20 hours. There was no other activity during the day.

1942-02-22

A fine day but very cold, the Squadron being at 30 minutes during the morning and at Readiness till dusk. Continuing the invasion exercise Dartmouth Newton Abbott were again “Beaton up” and also Syon Abbey by F/Os Janicki, and Mencel who took off at 10.00 hours and returned to base at 11.05 hrs. There was nothing further to report.

1942-02-23

[Illegible]ar.

More cloud and mist, but this cleared later and a certain amount of flying training was carried out. The Squadron was at Readiness until 123.00 hours and then at 30 minutes.

1942-02-24

Day commenced with heavy mist which cleared later. The Squadron being at 30 minutes all day. During the afternoon the Air Minister, The Rt. Hon. Sir Archibald Sinclair visited the Station by air. He was introduced to the Squadron Commander (Squadron Leader Szczesny) who conducted him on a tour of the flights where he interviewed the pilots.

1942-02-25

Cloud and mist in the morning changing to fine weather later, with the Squadron at Readiness from 13.00 hours until dusk. Flying training was carried out during the day, in addition to which Blue and Green Section were ordered on Convoy Patrol during the afternoon.

1942-02-26

Cold but fine weather, the Squadron being at Readiness from Dawn to 13.00 hours. and then at 30 minutes Flying training was carried out during the day, in addition to which practices were carried out for the rapid re-arm and refuel of A/c with and without gas conditions.

1942-02-27

Still cold but fine with the Squadron at Readiness all day. There was nothing to report except that the Squadron carried out more training.

1942-02-28

Milder weather with heavy mist clearing to fine weather at about 11.00 hours. Squadron was at Readiness all day. Red and Yellow Sections left Exeter at 10.35 on Shipping Recces. And were instructed to fly 85 miles on a course of 145 deg. magnetic from Exeter. A further 3 sections took off at 10.45 to patrol 10 miles south of Portland in order to provide assistance for Blue and Yellow Sections in the event of their sighting any E/A. None were sighted and the A/c patrolling off Portland were ordered to land at Ibsely which they did at 11.40 hours where they remained at Readiness during the absence of A/C from the Ibsely Sector. Blue and Yellow Sections on completion of the Shipping Recco, were ordered back to base where they landed at 11.20 hours without having seen any enemy activity of any description.