Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-09-01

NORTHOLT

There was no flying at all today. The Squadron was called to readiness at only small parts of the day. Everybody getting ready for the move to Woodvale.

1942-09-02

Flying limited to aircraft test. Weather fair. P/O. Brzeski, one of our pilots posted w.e.f. 5.9.42. for instructor duties.

1942-09-03

At 0900 hours the Squadron was called to readiness. At 0930 hours after briefing, 11 aircraft led by F/Lt. Trzebinski took off to take part as port of Polish Wing is a Circus 213 operation as First Diversion Wing. Beachy Head, the place of rendezvous, with Biggin Hill Wing was reached a little too early as the Wing had to climb quickly in order to get above cloud which was in several layers 3,000 to 27,000 feet. The wing made two wide orbits over Beachy Head. The other wing was met. Course was set for France on a wide front for between Boulogne and Le Touquet. The Wing continued to climb reaching 27,000 feet and thus being above cloud. Ten miles from the French Coast a close formation was taken up and the coast was crossed between Le Touquet and Berk sur Mer. The wing made a left sweep over Menbreuil, Bruges, west of St. Omer and Gravelines. Our wing was by now, at 20,000 feet. The formation flew over Dunkirk, the sea and then back over Calais where moderate heavy A.A. was experienced. Then course was set for home, the English coast being crossed at Folkestone. The Sqdn. landed back at 11.15 hours.

1942-09-04

No flying although the Squadron was called to readiness several times. No. 306 Polish Squadron of our station had their anniversary celebrations. The Polish President visited our Station.

1942-09-05

WOODVALE

The Squadron main party moves to Woodvale by train. The luggage cariages left yesterday. We entrain from Ruislip – Ickenham for our new station. Arrive at Woodvale at 1830 hours.

1942-09-06

The luggage carriages Have not arrived. Work dalayed. Search for the carriage goes on all through the day.

1942-09-07

The luggage carriages have at last been located. They arrived at Ainsdale at 1200 hours. All the afternoon and part of evening spent in getting things organised for tomorrow’s work.

1942-09-08

WOODVALE

The Squadron is settling down. The Pilots undertake sector recco. Flying limited to sector recco. “A” Flight was released at 1300 hours and “B” Flight was at 30 minutes and at readiness alternatively until 2220 hours.

1942-09-09

The Squadron was at readiness (1 section of each Flight) part of the day. The flying was limited to sector recco and formation flying. The Squadron was released at 2045 hours.

1942-09-10

“A” Flight was at readiness and at 30 mins. available until 1300 hours. “B” Flight had to same “stats” from 1300 to 2015 hours. The flying was limited to Squadron formation flying and practice formation flying for our ut. pilots.

1942-09-11

Flying consisted of one aircraft doing a [dret] and three aircraft practicing air target [……..]. In the afternoon “B” Flight (8 aircraft) were carrying out practice attacks out.

1942-09-12

Flying was limited to one aircraft doing weather test and aircraft test. The Squadron had the range at Blackpool reserved but owing to the foggy weather no firing was carried out.

1942-09-13

The weather was good no fog. Flying much more lively, consisting of local flights, Army & Home Quard co-operation. In the afternoon a party of 27 roofspotters visited our dispersal and our pilots demonstrated to them what a “scramble” was like.

1942-09-14

The Squadron had air-to-air firing practice. 1 aircraft was towing the sleeve. Other flying was sector recco and weather test, The Squadron “B” Flight was released at 2000 hours.

1942-09-15

Some flying done, consisting of 6 aircraft formation flying, and 4 aircraft practice attacks. One aircraft test was carried out. From 0600 hours until 2000 hours “A” Flight and ”B” Flight in turn were at 30 minutes available, and readiness.

1942-09-16

The flying was limited to two aircraft operating with the Army and three aircraft practicing cine-camera attacks. All the Squadron personnel were inocculated.

1942-09-17

Air firing was carried out. 5 of our aircraft were towing the sleeve while 16 aircraft were carrying cut air to air firing. The other flying was formation flying practice.

1942-09-18

The flying consisted of flying training flights, low flying, sector recco and photo practice. Our pilots who took part in the air firing achieved good results. A party of 8 pilots went to Bolton to visit an aircraft factory.

1942-09-19

WOODVALLE

Flying training continued. 25 sorties in both flights, flights formation, squadron formation and local flying being the main features.

1942-09-20

“A” Flight had no flying at all. “B” Flight did some Air to sea firing. Squadron released at 1700 hrs.

1942-09-21

Very busy day. 26 sorties. 6 aircraft took part in Army co-operation practices. One of our officer pilots proceeded to a combat film assessing course.

1942-09-22

Flying rather limited. “A” Flight practiced with cine gun and “B” Flight did formation flying.

1942-09-23

Few sorties for training during the day. Dusk and night flying carried out.

1942-09-24

Rather extensive flying training. Dusk and night flying. Sgt. Gilis when landing after a training flight overshot the runway due to miscalculation and hitting some soft ground put his plane on the “nose”.

1942-09-25

Two of our pilots co-operated with Army. Other sorties for flying training. Dusk flying.

1942-09-26

Quite extensive flying training carried out. Camera gun, altitude and dusk Flying. One section was scrambled in the morning.

1942-09-27

Very limited flying, consisting of 2 aircraft practicing day fighting and 3 aircraft cine camera gun practice.

1942-09-28

Weather rather misty. Flying comprised of 9 aircraft doing flight formation and 2 aircraft day fighting.

1942-09-29

Raining, misty weather. Only “A” Flight had 9 aircraft flying for about 20 minutes practice flight formation.

1942-09-30

The weather has not improved much. Flying very limited. 2 aircraft flew to Valley for firing exercises.