Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-08-01

Very little flying, limited by C.G.I. practice and two aircraft tests. The Squadron was at readiness for part of the day. A signal from the Naval Hospital to which F/O. Kratke was admitted after having been shot down, informed us that he will be unfit for flying duties for two months.

1942-08-02

Flying continued to be limited by training flights. Eleven aircraft took off for formation flying practice. The Squadron was at readiness, only a small portion of the day. The weather had deteriorated, it was raining at intervals.

1942-08-03

Only one Flight, “B” Flight, and that, only for one hour was called to readiness. No flying during the morning. In the afternoon formation flying, twelve aircraft, and two aircraft tests were carried out. There is more than a possibility of our Squadron getting the Spitfire 9 soon. Everybody is looking forward to it, that is to say, the Squadron Leader and the two Flight Commanders who know about it.

1942-08-04

The Squadron was at readiness the biggest part of the day. No operational flights were carried though. Three German aircraft, a JU.88, Heinkel and Messerschmidt, flown by R.A.F. Pilots landed here. Practice attacks on them were carried out by four of our aircraft. Some other practice flying was done including low attacks and cloud flying. Three of our aircraft took part in army co-operation practices.

1942-08-05

Extensive army co-operation exercise was carried out. Fifteen of our aircraft took part, attacking troops, lorries, etc.. The only other flying was an aircraft test. At 1910 hours the Squadron was released.

1942-08-06

From 0505 hours the Squadron was at 30 minutes available. At 1300 hours they were released for training, only to be released altogether at 1700 hours. Practice flying was carried out, formation, interception and cloud flying. Five of our Aircraft escorted the “German” bombers on their way back to their station.

1942-08-07

NORTHOLT

The weather was quite good in the early morning but deteriorated rapidly and after 1130 hours no flying was undertaken. During the short period in the morning two of our aircraft were practicing air to sea firing and eleven aircraft practiced formation flying and dog fighting. For part of the afternoon one Flight, followed by the other was at readiness. At 2241 hours the Squadron was released.

1942-08-08

It was raining from early morning. No flying whatsoever. The Squadron was at readiness for part of the day, one Flight following the other. The Squadron was released at 1730 hours, at the stated time sirene were heard. Inside the camp we were warned that an enemy aircraft was circling base at 2,000 feet, aircraft believed to be a He.111. Nothing happened and after 20 minutes the “all clear: was sounded.

1942-08-09

The weather has taken a slight turn for the better but the Squadron was not called to readiness at all today, being at 30 minutes from 0418 until 1845 hours, when we were released. W/Cdr. Rollski from H.Q. F.C. visited our Squadron and with 13 aircraft of our Squadron took off at 1055 hours for a faint Rodeo. Route followed:- Bradwell – Manston (crossed at 1118 hours) Gravelines (1130 crossed French coast) – Cap Griz Nez – recrossing English Coast at Dungeness at 1150 hours and landed at base at 1220 hours. Height over French Coast 24,000 feet. Weather over England 9/10ths – 7 to 9,000 feet. Channel clear. France 10/10ths. Cloud. No enemy aircraft seen. Extensive training flying was carried out all day. Three aircraft practiced dusk flying, which finished the days flying.

1942-08-10

Very limited flying, the weather being rather bad. 4 aircraft carried out low flying practice. The Squadron was not called to readiness, being released for training the biggest part of the day. At 1730 hours the Station as a whole was released.

1942-08-11

The Flying was a little more active. The Squadron was at 120 minutes available, most of the day. One section of each flight was alternatively called to readiness for a few hours. The flying consisted of Low Flying and cloud flying practices. The Squadron was released at 2135 hours.

1942-08-12

The Squadron was at readiness for part of the day but no operational flights took place. Quite extensive flying training was done, consisting of low flying, cross Country flying and local flying. Dusk flying by 6 aircraft was carried out as well.

1942-08-13

NORTHOLT.

From 0424 hours the Squadron was at readiness until 0435 hours. From then it was alternatively 30 and 15 minutes available. Release for training followed with a release of the Station at 1700 hours. The flying was practice flying, G.C.I., low flying, formation flying, and dog fighting.

1942-08-14

Flying again limited to practice. The Squadron was at 30 minutes available until released at 1735 hours. The flying practice consisted of dog fighting, map reading, and cross country flying. The Spitfire 9 which has been in the Maintenance hangar for the purpose of the ground crews getting acquainted with its working, has been flown by several of our pilots. The main test being flying at 30,000 feet and climbing. Everybody is now awaiting the “mass” delivery of the Spitfire 9.

1942-08-15

The Squadron carried on with practice flying. Low Flying and Squadron formation being the main features. In rotation the pilots are flying the Spitfire 9. The Squadron was called to readiness for a short time only.

1942-08-16

Even the flying training is limited to just 1 local flight and 4 practice attacks. The Squadron was at readiness for a short time in the morning. The Station as a whole was released at 1430 hours.

1942-08-17

Flying in formation and escort of German planes was the only flying carried out. The Squadron was called to readiness in the late afternoon. The Station as a whole was released at 2115 hours.

1942-08-18

Very limited flying indeed. Only four of our aircraft were practicing high climbing. The Squadron was at readiness early in the morning. Squadron at 120 minutes available all day. The release was at 2105 hours.

1942-08-19

It was an early start for our Pilots. The first sweep was planned for 0505 hours. The operation was to be a standing patrol (escort cover) over Channel and Dieppe. 12 of our aircraft took off at 0515 hours and led by our Squadron Leader set course 160 degrees to Beachy Head and from there to Dieppe. They patrolled at a height of 10,000 feet from 0545 to 0620 hours., one F.W. was suddenly seen dive out of the clouds and attack one of our aircraft. F/O. Cholewka was hit and was seen losing height. At the same time 4 F/Ws. attacked other Squadrons of the Wing. All our aircraft with the exception of F/O. Cholewka returned to base at 0700 hours. F/O Cholewka was reported missing.
The operations for the rest of the day were to stay the same. At 0930 hours our Squadron (twelve aircraft) led by S/Ldr. Skalski again took off for Dieppe, setting same course. They proceeded at 8,000 feet. Many dog fights over Target area, with good results for our Squadron. 1 Do, 217 destroyed by F/Lt. Rutkowski, seen to crash into sea. 1 Ju.88 and 1 F/W. 190 destroyed by F/O. Maciejowskie in short succession who saw the first one burst into flame and crash into the sea. He saw his second plane dive out of control into the sea. Sgt. Pawlowski’s plane was hit by F/W.190 who attacked him from behind when he was firing at an enemy aircraft which he claims to have damaged. The Squadron landed back at 1125 hours. At 1030 hours a telephone call from R.A.F. LYMPNE informed the Adjutant that F/O. Cholewka had landed there seriously injured. Further particulars came later, the whole incident being: After having been seriously injured, right arm crushed and right leg shot through, he lost consiousness. When he partly recovered he was losing height. Inspite of the loss of blood and ensuing weakness he managed to cross the channel. When over LYMPNE he lowered his plane’s undercarriage with his left leg and landed on the ‘drome, losing conciousness once more, immediately after he had switched off his engine. Very weak from loss of blood he was taken to Hospital. Pieces of bode were found in the cockpit of his aircraft.
The Squadron took off for the third time led by F/Lt. Drobinski, Commander of “A” Flight. Eleven aircraft took off at 1245 hours. Same course was set again. They were detailed to patrol target area. Focke Wulds seen but our Squadron did not attack. One large ship was seen immobile and suddenly explode. Squadron landed back at 1435 hours.
The Squadron took off for the fourth operation of the day at 1550 hours, led by F/Lt. Rutkowski, Commander of “B” Flight. The task being the patrol of a convoy. Several F/W. 190’s were found near the convoy and bombers were attacking from two directions. Our Squadron attacked the enemy. The results from the different flights being: 1 He.111 destroyed by F/Lt. Rutkowski, 1 He.111 destroyed by P/O. Brzeski, 1 F/W 190 destroyed by F/O. Lukaszewicz and 1 Do.217 destroyed by P/O. Maciejewski and Sgt. Kolczynski (Shared). Sgt. Stramko shared 1 He.111 with two other pilots from other squadrons, (One Third for our Squadron). They landed back at 1720 hours. When preparing to land, P/O. Maciejowski opuldn’t get his aircraft’s undercarriage to function, he forgot the emergency appliances, attributing it himself to the fatique and nervousness which came as a result of strenuous fighting, He thus, landed on the ‘belly” damaging the plane. The grand total of the day for our Squadron was 7. 1/3rd enemy aircraft destroyed – one of our pilots seriously injured. Everybody very happy the only regret being that it was only a raid and not the beginning of the invasion.

1942-08-20

Very little flying until 1700 hours. One aircraft test and 3 aircraft practicing high flying. At 1700 hours The Squadron was at 30 minutes available. Twelve aircraft led by S/Ldr. Skalski took off at 1700 hours to take part in the Circus 206 as part of the Wings who were second diversion wings. Rendezvoused with Group 2 and Tangmere Wing at Selsey Bill at 1722 hours. Crossed Channel and touched French Coast near Le Havre at 1747 hours. There they turned right preparing to return to base. We were flying at 29,000 feet when 6 F/W. 190s [vere] suddenly seen at about 30 to 31,000 feet. S/Ldr. Skalski shouted the warning. At this very moment the Focke Wulf’s dived to attack, but not seeing our Squadron, as were in the sun, attacked other Squadrons below us.
F/O. Martini saw one F.W. 190 pull out of a dive after attack and went after him. When at a range of 50 to 20 yards he gave him a full burst, saw him burst into flames and dive out of control. Landed back at 1830 hours. Weather and visibility – good over France. Over Channel 8/10ths. Cloud at 10.000 feet.

1942-08-21

Very limited flying indeed. 3 aircraft tests and 3 aircraft of formation flying. The whole station was released at 1150 hours. Congratulations received from C. in. C Polish Forces, General Sikorski for the “work” done over Dieppe.

1942-08-22

Flying rather limited. The Squadron was at readiness only for a small portion of the day. 10 aircraft took par in Air Sea Rescue. 2 Aircraft tests were carried out. It was a bad day for No. 306 Squadron from our Wing, who lost their Squadron Leader and 3 pilots during a Rhubarb over France. The Squadron was released at 2100 hours.

1942-08-23

NORTHOLT.

The Squadron was at readiness from early morning at 30 minutes, and 15 minutes the rest of the day ‘till 1730 hours when the Station as a whole was released. The flying until 1525 hours was limited to 1 aircraft test and 1 aircraft doing weather test. At 1525 hours, 12 aircraft of our Squadron took off for a Feint Rodeo, led by F/Lt. Trzebinski, Crossed Beachy Head at 30,000 feet over clouds at 1550 hours. Started climbing, reaching Dieppe at 24 to 25,000 feet at 1607 hours. The pilots could not see anything because of cloud, this no enemy aircraft were seen. Cloud over England 7/10ths. Over France 9/10ths. at 10,000 feet. Landed back via Beachy Head at 1645 hours.

1942-08-24

The Squadron was not called to readiness all day. At 0835 hours the Squadron was released for training called to 30 minutes available at 1400 hours. At 1945 hours the Station as a whole was released. Although not called to readiness in the afternoon the Squadron was called upon to take part in a sweep over France, 12 Fortresses 11 were going out to bomb the shipping yard at Trait (near Le Havre). Our Squadron was to be part of the bouncing Wings. They took off at 1535 hours (12 aircraft) led by S/Ldr. Skalski and set course 125 degrees. Flew at sea level for 20 minutes and afterwards started climbing near French Coast past Le Crotoy crossing French Coast at 1620 hours at 13,000 feet and flew to Abbeville reaching it at 1626 hours at 18,000 feet. Turned right in a big circle over Abbeville and left France past Le Treport at 1630 hours. Crossed English Coast at 1645 hours near Hastings. Landed back at 1710 hours. Although operations warned then of bandits over the channel, 13 F.W. 190s from one side and 21 from the other side as if preparing to catch the Wing in a “pinoor” movement none were seen by our Pilots. The weather over England was 5/10ths., over Channel very good, over France 2/10ths. near coast, deeper 8/10ths. F/Lt. Rutkowski, commander of our “B” Flight is leaving us to become C.O. of No. 306 Squadron. F/O. Niemiec who used to be a Flight Commander in our Squadron is reposted to the same post to fill the vacancy thus created.

1942-08-25

The weather has deteriorated. No flying whatever all day. The Squadron was at 120 minutes availableuntil 1430 hours when the station was released. P/O. Maciejowski, one of our ace pilots is posted to No. 58 O.T.U, for instructor duties.

1942-08-26

NORTHOLT

Rather limited flying, consisting of 2 aircraft tests, 6 aircraft cloud flying, dog fighting and low flying. The Squadron was released for training most of the day and was not called to readiness at all. The Squadron was released a 1815 hours. The personnel of the Squadron were very sorry to hear of the death on active service of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent H.R.H. was very popular in our Squadron, having visited us twice, the last time being at the end of June, 1942.
A parade of the Polish Squadron at Northolt was arranged as part of the :decoration” fastivities. Air Marschall Leigh Mallory in his short speech congratulated the Squadron: Flying personnel as well as Ground Staff on the achievements on the 19th. of this month, over Dieppe. A march past finished the festivity.

1942-08-27

The Squadron was at readiness for quite a big part of the day. Flying though was limited to one aircraft practicing high flying, till 1550 hours. At 1550 hours the Squadron was ordered to take off from Northolt in order to take part in a Diversion Wing sweep over France. For this operation, twelve aircraft took off led by F/Lt. Trzebinski and set course for Clacton-on-Sea where they renezvoused at 1612 hours. From there course was set for France. They crossed the enemy occupied coast between Ostend and New-Port at 1625 hours, swept inland south of Dunkirk. Recrossed French Coast near Gravelines at 1636 hours. They saw 6 F.W. 190s in the area near St. Omer, and 2 F.W’s to their right over Channel. The F/Ws. flew at both sides, as if accompanying our Wing, till middle Channel then they turned back. The Squadron flew at 20,000 feet. The operation, of which we were part, was a Circus 207. 12 Fortress 11s were bombing shipyards at Rotterdam in the meantime. All aircraft landed safely back at 1715 hours.

1942-08-28

One flight was at readiness from 0503 hours. All during the day the two flights were at readiness, 15 minutes available and 30 minutes available alternatively. The only non-operational flying was, when 11 aircraft of our Squadron took part in Ground Defence exercises (R.T.) Two other sorties of the Squadron as a whole were to take part in operations. At 1230 hours our Squadron was ordered to take off to take part in a Circus 210. The Squadron (12 aircraft) was led by F/Lt. Trzebinski. Flying below 500 feet crossed as part of Wing at Shoreham and kept some height until they were 10 miles from the French Coast. Then they climbed rapidly and crossed French Coast near Le Crotary at between 15 and 20,000 feet. They proceeded to Abbeville and orbited at 20 to 25,000 feet, in that area from 1326 to 1337 hours. They were then ordered to return to base. Although operations warned our Wing of “bandits” none were seen by our Squadron who were flying as “low” squadron. Light Anti Aircraft fire encountered near the Forst de Checy. All aircraft landed back at 1415 hours, weather clear, slight haze, visibility good.
The next operation was a Rodeo 95. Our Squadron took off at 1855 hrs. led by S/Ldr. Skalski (11 aircraft). Rendezvoused with Hornchurch and Debden Wings at 1929 hours at 15,000 feet over Orfordness. Our Squadron as part of the Wing were to fly as middle Wing. Course was set for the enemy occupied coast which was crossed at Ostend. The formation turned right and left up, the French Coast as far as Blackenburg turned left again and flew back to North Foreland. Height over French Coast 25,000 feet. The whole wing with the exception of S/L. Skalski and W/Cdr. Janus landed at Manston at 2015 hours – 2100 hours. The two Commanders landed at Northolt at 2035 hours. No enemy aircraft were seen although the weather was clear of cloud but hazy over Channel. F/O. Walawski’s aircraft moored at Manston was hit by a Stirling which landed during the night there and set on fire.

1942-08-29

Very limited flying, the only sorties being of 11 of our aircraft to take part in a sweep over France. The Squadron was not called to readiness and the station as a whole was released at 1500 hours. Nine of our Aircraft led by S/Ldr. Skalski took off at 1045 hours to take part in a Circus 211 as part of the Polish Wing, acting as rear support wing. 12 Fortress 11s were escorted to Courtrai by 4 Squadrons flying Spitfire 9s. When on the way back, the Fortress aircraft came to New Port our Wing met them and escorted then back to England to the Naze. Enemy aircraft not seen. Our Squadron recrossed English Coast at Harwick at 1200 hours at 25,000 feet and landed back at 1230 hours. Weather good, rather hazy, visibility over channel clear.

1942-08-30

Flying very limited. The Station, as a whole released at 1200 hours. The flying consisted of 3 aircraft doing local flying. By orders from Air Ministry received the morning the Squadron is moving to Woodvale on 5.9.42.

1942-08-31

The Squadron was at readiness part of the day, 15 and 30 minutes available for the rest of the day. The station was released at 2000 hours. Flying consisted of 1 aircraft test, 1 a/c doing cloud flying and one sector “recco.”.