Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-04-01

KIRTON-IN-LINDSEY

Flying was rather limited. It consisted of several sorties for formation flying, dog fighting and cine-camera gun practices.

1943-04-02

Flying training continued. It consisted of twelve sorties for air to air firing, eight for formation flying and two for interception practices with bombers. Two aircraft were tested.

1943-04-03

With the weather being perfect, flying training was quite extensive. There were 33 sorties. The practices carried out were air to air firing, formation flying, and aerobatics. Two aircraft were tested and one pilot practiced aerobatics.

1943-04-04

At 0910 hours, twelve aircraft of our Squadron took off for Coltishall. At 1250 hours, 12 aircraft led by F/Lt. Wroblewski took off from Coltishall to take part in Ramrod No. 6 as diversionary escort for 70 Fortresses and 25 Liberators. Course was set from Harriage flying south east until about 50 miles from Dutch Coast. Rendesvoused successfully with returning bombers and assumed escort. No enemy aircraft were seen. Landed back at Coltishall at 1415 hours. Two aircraft were found to be u/s after this flight. Thus at 1845 hours for Ramrod No. 7, only 10 aircraft took off, led by F/Lt. Wroblewski. The Squadron was to act as bottom Squadron. Course was set for a point off the Dutch Coast /in the Rotterdam vicinity /, and our aircraft met 24 returning Venturas. Our Squadron took up position as escort at 6,000 feet. After 10 minutes flight back, our formation was attacked by 15 individual F.W. 190s. In the ensuing dog fights, one F.W.190 was seen to hit the sea after having been hit by W/Cdr. Gabszewicz “fire”. Sgt. Franczak, of this Squadron, who fired at one F.W.190 saw no results. At 2105 hours, 10 aircraft returned to base from Coltishall.

1943-04-05

At 0710 hours, one section was “scrambled” for air sea rescue patrol. Two sections followed it in intervals of 1 to 2 hours for the some task. Nothing special to report. At 1055 hours, the Tiger Moth, piloted by Sgt. Makowski, took off for Coltishall. It took the Squadron Engineer Officer to inspect the two aircraft which were u/s since the Ramrod operation of the day before. In the early afternoon, Sgt. Makowski and F/Sgt. Hanzelka, took off from Coltishall
/ the lather having stayed there after the Ramrods /, in the Tiger Moth. The wind was very strong then. They took off, tried to turn at low speed, and as a result of it, the aircraft was caught by the wind and crashed. F/Sgt. Hanzelka was killed and Sgt. Makowski was in a very serious condition, being very badly burned. Sgt. Makowski was taken to hospital where he died later in the evening.

1943-04-06

KIRTON-IN-LINDSEY

Flying was limited owing to the weather. It consisted of four aircraft doing Air to Air firing and one aircraft was tested.

1943-04-07

Very strong wind, no flying possible today.

1943-04-08

The weather has improved with calming down of the wind. Flying training consisted of five sorties for battle formation, four for air to air firing, one aircraft practiced interception. Six aircraft were tested.

1943-04-09

Flying training was quite extensive and consisted of 32 sorties. Air to air firing, formation flying, cine-camera gun attacks and dog fighting was carried out. Other flying was for the testing of two aircraft.

1943-04-10

Flying consisted of 32 sorties for formation flying, camera gun attacks, air to air firing and battle formation. There R/T tests were made.

1943-04-11

27 sorties today for flying training. Air to air firing, Formation flying, navigation and photo attacks were made. One aircraft was tested.

1943-04-12

Main flying consisted of air to air firing, for which 15 sorties took place. Other flying was for cloud and photo attacks, also interception practices. One aircraft tested.

1943-04-13

Flying training continued. It consisted of air to air firing, camera practices, and squadron formation exercises. Two aircraft were scrambled to 17,000 feet but no enemy aircraft were encountered. The area was patrolled for 30 minutes.

1943-04-14

Air to air firing was the main feature again. There were twelve sorties for it. Wing formation, low flying, and navigation practices were made. Two aircraft were tested and one of our new pilots flew for sector recco.

1943-04-15

Flying training continued. Flying consisted of 55 sorties for the following exercises. Formation and low flying, photo attacks, on bombers from the Polish O.T.U. at Finningley and interceptions. S/Ldr. Czaykowski, when landing at Hutton Cranswick, met with an accident and was injured. Exact causes of accident not yet known.

1943-04-16

KIRTON-in-LINDSEY

S/L. Czaykowski’s accident was due to engine failure. He had to force land and injured, was taken to hosp[ital].
The only flying for the day was Ramrod No. 8. Our aircraft took off at 1330 hours for Coltishall where they were re-fuelled. The operation was to be Ramrod No. 8 to HAARLEM where Railway workshops were to be bombed by 12 Venturas. Our Wing was detailed to be rear support.
Eleven Aircraft took off led by W/Cdr. Gabszewicz at 1900 hours. The course taken was direct towards Haarlem, climbing to 8,000 feet. They sighted the bombers and swept round behind then and gave them back cover. Enemy aircraft were seen but no contact was made. Landed back at 2030 hours at Coltishall.

1943-04-17

Ten of our aircraft led by F/LT. Janicki took off from Coltishall at 1355 hours to take part in a ramrod operation. Our Squadron was to act as forward support. After 12 minutes at sea level formation, they climbed to 8,500 feet and at 1443 hours intercepted 60 to 65 fortresses at about 6,000 feet and escorted them back as for as Coltishall recrossing English Coast over Mundesley. There was much haze up to 6,000 feet making poor visibility below 6,000 feet. Nothing to report.
Twelve of our aircraft took part in a “Circus” operation and acted as Forward support. They took off from Martlesham again led by F/LT. Janicki at 1845 hours. Some heavy flak was seen bursting at Knocke/Blackenburghe coast. Only friendly shipping was seen. Squadron landed back at 2008 hours Martlesham having encountered no enemy aircraft.

1943-04-18

The aircraft returned in the morning from Martlesham where they landed after the second operational flight yesterday. Other flying was for aircraft tests and convoy patrol practice. Night readiness kept by 3 sections of each flight all night.

1943-04-19

Flying training only carried out. 10 sorties for formation flying. Night flying carried out. 8 sorties for the latter practice.

1943-04-20

42 Sorties for flying training today. Main exercise was air to air firing. Practice attacks on Wellingtons were made during other flying. Practice landings at Hibbelstow made. Dusk and night flying carried out.

1943-04-21

At 0850 hours, the squadron took off for Coltishall from where an operational flight was planned. No operation owing to weather. No other flying carried out.

1943-04-22

Flying limited. 10 sorties for navigational low flying. 1 aircraft tested and one weather test.

1943-04-23

KIRTON LINDSEY

Flying limited owing to bad weather. 3 sorties for formation flying and one aircraft test.

1943-04-24

30 sorties for flying training. It consisted of air to air firing, attacks on Wellingtons and Wing formation flying practice.

1943-04-25

5 sorties only. 1 aircraft test and two aircraft took off for Hutton Cranswick. Flying very limited due to the weather.

1943-04-26

No flying owing to the weather.

1943-04-27

Flying consisted of two sorties. F/Lt. Wroblewski flew to Wattisham to make arrangements for future accomodation.

1943-04-28

Flying again only consisted of one aircraft which flew to Martlesham and one to Hutton Cranswick, allein connection with the proposed move.

1943-04-29

KIRTON LINDSEY TO MARTLESHAM

At 1330 hours, 20 aircraft took off for Martlesham, our new Station. The whole main rail party went to Martlesham today.

1943-04-30

MARTLESHAM

The only flying was an operational scramble over base at 1640 hours when one section was scrambled. They landed back 10 minutes later having seen no enemy aircraft.

Wróblewski F/Lt
for Squadron Leader, Commanding.
No. 317 POLISH SQUADRON.