Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-07-01

PERRANPORTH

Two sections today carried out convoy patrol, practice attacks were made by two of our aircraft on a Sunderland Flying boat. Two more aircraft did air to air firing. Four aircraft were tested.

1943-07-02

Twenty sorties were made for convoy patrol from 0540 hours. Other flying consisted of one aircraft practicing sector-recco and another aircraft was tested.

1943-07-03

Six aircraft of ‘B” Flight escorted an aircraft “Domino” from Predannack to Scilly Island. Six aircraft of “A” Flight later escorted this aircraft back from Scilly Island. Ten aircraft were engaged in air-sea rescue.

1943-07-04

Today’s flying consisted of air-sea rescue flying, air to ground firing on which six aircraft were engaged, two aircraft tests, and two R/T tests. Four aircraft acted as escort to a Walrus which was engaged on air-sea rescue.

1943-07-05

Seventeen sorties were made for air to ground firing. Two aircraft were tested and one section was engaged on convoy patrol. Five aircraft of “A” Flight carried out formation flying and two aircraft were tested.

1943-07-06

Ten aircraft were engaged on convoy patrol. One section was scrambled at 1350 hours but was recalled again after 10 minutes flying. Eleven aircraft carried out air to ground firing and one aircraft was tested.

1943-07-07

Fourteen sorties were made for air to air firing. F/O. Owczarski taxied from the dispersal to take off for firing practice and got as far as Runway No. 2 and proceeded to try and take off, the runway in use being No. 6. He crashed at the end of the runway, crossed the perimeter track and came to rest in an adjoining field. He was taken injured to the hospital.
One section was engaged on convoy patrol. Four aircraft of “A” Flight, led by F/Lt. Wroblewski took off at 1050 hours for a weather and shipping recco over the Channel and France. They saw an enemy convoy, reported it to Operations and the convoy was bombed ten minutes later. They landed back at 1200 hours. Six aircraft were engaged on air sea rescue and flew up to east of BREST led by F/Lt. Wroblewski, they returned without having encountered the enemy.

1943-07-08

PERRANPORTH

Twelve aircraft took off for air to ground firing, six aircraft carried out convoy patrols and others were engaged on scrambles. From 1540 hours until 2300 hours, twelve aircraft sections of two and four were engaged on scrambles on five occasions. They patrolled for 30 minutes in turns but no enemy machines were encountered.

1943-07-09

One section was engaged on convoy patrol. One pilot took off on Sector recco. and twelve others flew to IBSLEY. At 2100 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. Kornicki took off for Ibsley from which station they were supposed to take part in operations the following day.

1943-07-10

At 0755 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/Ldr Kornicki, F. took off from Ibsley to take part in Ramrod 171. IBSLEY wing were told that the bombers were early, and were given Vector 120° when at mid-channel flying at 6,000 feet. The Portreath Wing, consisting of 317 and 310 Squadrons made French Landfall at St. Aubin a 19,000 feet and continued south to Mezidon, made one orbit here, and then returned to IBSLEY. The Portreath Wing Leader reported that at no time was he in R/T touch with control which explains the penetration. He saw bombers when crossing the French Coast but thought he was early and proceeded to rendezvous thinking that he would meet other bombers over Mezidon. No enemy aircraft were seen and no flak encountered. They landed back at Ibsley at 0955 hours. F/Sgt. Grobelny had to turn back from the French Coast as his engine started to fail. F/Sgt. Bartys accompanied him back.

1943-07-11

No flying could be undertaken owing to the bad weather. The Squadron therefore could not return to base today.

1943-07-12

Our aircraft have today returned from R.A.F. Station, Ibsley. Four aircraft carried out air to ground firing and one aircraft was tested.

1943-07-13

At 0550 hours, twelve aircraft led by W/Cdr. Zak took off to take part in a Ramrod Operation and were to act as top cover Wing. They were to escort twelve MITchell bombers which were to bomb an airfield, GUIPAUAS, near Brest. They rendezvoused at 0615 hours over Idzard Pt. with other Sqdns. The whole formation flew at sea level for twelve minutes and climbed to 16000 feet when over the French Coast, crossing it an 0652 hours. Before the Squadron arrived at Brest they turned left and not heavy flak from an A/A battery situated near a bridge, east of Brest. They recrossed the French Coast near the Isle of Bats and were then attacked by two F.W. 190s. who opened fire with their machine guns from a great distance. F/O. Banach’s aircraft was hit in the right wing, no combat ensued though. The English coast was recrossed over Lizard point and landed back at 0745 hours. Eight aircraft were engaged on convoy patrol. Six aircraft took part in air-sea rescue operations and went out 140 miles from base thus being very near the French coast. At 2100 hours, twelve aircraft took off for IBSLEY from which place they were to take part in operations the following day.

1943-07-14

Twelve aircraft, led by F/LT. WROBLEWSKI took off at 0755 hours from IBSLEY to take part in as 11 Group Ramrod No. 133. They were part of a Polish Wing led by W/Cdr. ZAK which was to be rear support wing. They went out to meet the fortresses which had bombed. Le Bourget and Villa Coublaj. When the Wing was 10 miles North of Argentina (40 miles inside France). The Wing Commander, seeing the Fortresses gave the order to the Wing to take up positions and protect them. One of the Squadrons then reported an enemy F.W.190s above coming from south and east. Three F.W.190s. attacked the formation of four led by F/O. Wedzik. F/O. Wedzik, during the ensuing dog fight gave his enemy aircraft a long burst, saw it burst into flames and dive towards the ground. F/O. Makowski, No. 2 Pilot, “dog fought” with another F.W. 190 and gave it a long burst from a were short distance. When the enemy aircraft steep dived towards the ground, P/O. Makowski followed it down and saw it crash into a wood and burst into flames. Another F.W. 190 attacked F/O. Mroczyk’s aircraft, hedd on. Our pilot managed to escape the enemy’s fire by turning quickly first right and then left. He was hit though and his right elbow was slightly injured. He got back to Ibsley right and landed safely. F/SGT. KARASINSKI coming out from behind F/O. MROCZYK flew head on against the F.W. 190 and fired a burst right into him. He saw black smoke coming out of the enemy’s engine with flames following after it. He then turned away and followed F/O. MROCZYK in a dive and landed back with him. By 1000 hours all aircraft were back at IBSLEY. The aircraft later returned to base. They had barely landed when eight aircraft were ordered to take off for air sea rescue operations which they did.

1943-07-15

PERRANPORTH

No flying could be carried out today owing to the weather being absolutely U/S.

1943-07-16

Air to air firing was carried out by six aircraft of “A” Flight. Two other aircraft of “A” Flight made practice attacks on a Whitley aircraft. Two aircraft were tested today. Six aircraft of “B” Flight carried out convoy patrol duties, led by F/LT. JANICKI, Z. F/O CIACH took off at 1435 hours. Visibility over the convoy was rather poor. They flew fairly low on their way back to base and at a certain moment F/LT. Janicki realised that his number was not following him, he locked for him but could not see him. He just saw a patch on the sea. It is presumed that F/O. CIACH hit the sea and was drowned.

1943-07-17

Nine aircraft practiced Squadron formation flying, also cine-camera gun attacks. At 2015 hours, 9 aircraft took off for BRADWELL BAY in preparation for the next day’s operations.

1943-07-18

The pilots now at Bradwell Bay are waiting for the improvement in the weather in order to either fly over France or back to base.

1943-07-19

The bad weather continue today. No flying carried out.

1943-07-20

Four aircraft were tested. Three aircraft practiced formation flying and four aircraft were engaged on convoy patrol. Our aircraft returned from Bradwell Bay. At 1955 hours, one section was scrambled as an enemy aircraft was reported in the vicinity. They did not make contact with it though and landed back at 2045 hours.

1943-07-21

No flying today owing to bad weather conditions.

1943-07-22

Eight aircraft carried out air to air firing. Other flying training was for attacks on a Wellington aircraft and cine-camera gun attacks and formation flying. At 1550 hours, four aircraft led by F/LT. JANICKI took off for a weather test over France (Vicinity of Brest). They landed back at 1655 hours.

1943-07-23

Four aircraft did formation flying and cine-camera gun attacks.

1943-07-24

PERRANPORTH

Three aircraft of “B” Flight carried out formation flying. One aircraft did local flying, one went up on a weather tests and one was tested.

1943-07-25

Twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI took off at 0810 hours for Martlesham Heath. At 1405 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI took off from Martlesham Heath to take part in an 11 Group Ramrod No. 154 and were to act as escort cover for twelve Mitchell bombers, who were going ort to bomb the FOKKER factories near Amsterdam. They met the bombers over Lowestoft and flew at sea level for 17 minutes and then climbed to 16,000 feet. Before Amerstam, they encountered fairly heavy A.A. fires which was quite accurate. They made an orbit to the left while the bombers went to bomb their target. Our pilots saw the bombs explode in the target area. They then accompanied the bombers back to Lowestoft and turned themselves, to Martlesham Heath. Landing there at 1605 hours. W/O Lewczynski and F/SGT. Bartys turned home after 22 minutes on the way cut owing to F/SGT. Barty’s aircraft heaving engine failure. They landed back at 1520 hours.
At 1905 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/Ldr. KORNICKI took off for a second operation which was an 11 Group Ramrod No. 158. Because of a defect in the drop tanks, F/Lt. Wroblewski, F/LT. Palej, P/O. Popiel, and F/O. FELC had to land immediately after taking off. F/Lt. Radomski and F/SGT. Pawlowski had to turn back when 20 miles from the enemy coast bacause of the same defect. The bombers, twelve Mitchells, were met over Lowestoft. The Spitfires acted as escort cover and escorted the bombers to the Shiptiel aerodrome, north of Amsterdam. They flew at seal level for 17 minutes and then climbed to 17,000 feet. Over the enemy territory, A/A fire was encountered at different places but it was not accurate at different heights. After the bombing, the Spitfires together with the bombers made a circle by the left and turned for home. No enemy aircraft were seen and the Squadron landed back at Martlesham at 2155 hours.

1943-07-26

Eight aircraft led by W/CDR. ZAK took off at 1030 hours from Martlesham to take part in an 11 Group Ramrod No. 159. They acted as close escort to twelve Bostons going out to bomb Courtrai aerodrome. They rendezvoused with the bombers over Clacton-on-Sea at 1048 hours. The bombers, escorted by Nos. 317 and 302 Squadrons only climbed to 11,000 feet and flew towards the enemy coast. One English Squadron joined them in middle channel. The French coast was crossed two miles south of Dunkirk. They came in from the south on to Courtred and the bombers dropped their loads which were seen to burst 200 yards from the aerodrome. Couurse was set for the coast. After a few minutes flying, the bombers turned and flew towards Lille again. Between Lille and Tournai, the Squadron was attacked by F.W. 190s. Four F.W. 190s attacked by W/CDR. ZAK and his two numbers, F/O. FELC, T. and F/SGT. BARTYS, P. The Wing Commander fired a burst at a range at 200 yards into one of them but did not see the result. The F.W.s dived avay. When the Wing Commander’s formation of three wanted to rejoin the bombers they were attacked by another formation of four F.W. 190s. W/CDR. ZAK warned his “numbers” and himself turned sharply left. He saw F/O. FELC dive after one of the enemy aircraft and fire at it. He (W/Cdr) dropped from 13,000 to 8,000 feet and F/SGT. Bartys joined him. Then another three F.Ws. attacked the Wing Commander and F/SGT. BARTYS. F/SGT. Bartys dived after one of them. An F.W. 190 dived after F/SGT. Bartys. The Wing Commander attacked the second F.W. 190 and fired a long burst into him. The enemy aircraft turned and dived towards the ground. The Wing Commander claims it as damaged. The third F.W. 190 fired at the Wing Commander and hit his tailpiece and R/T box. The Wing Commander did not see his “numbers” anymore and so returned on his own to Martlesham Heath landing at 1235 hours. He encountered A/A fire over St. Omer. F/LT. WROBLEWSKI, at a range of 200 yards fired a long burst into an enemy aircraft an F.W. 190 which was attacking the bombers. He saw it burst into flames, explode and dive steeply. He claims this aircraft as destroyed. F/LT. Radomski damaged one F.W. 190 when firing at it from a distance of 600 yards and again from 400 yards. He saw white smoke come out of its engine. F/LT. WROBLEWSKI’s and F/LT. RADOMSKI’s victories were witnessed by other pilots. The Squadron landed back at Martlesham Heath at 1220 hours crossing the French Coast, south of Dunkirk. F/O. FELC and F/SGT. Bartys failed to return to base and were first listed as NOT YET RETURNED and then MISSING.

1943-07-27

Rather limited flying today. It consisted of four aircraft practicing navigation, three aircraft doing formation flying and two aircraft engaged on Cine-camera gun attacks. One aircraft was tested. Two new pilots who arrived from the O.T.U. did sector recco.

1943-07-28

PERRANPORTH

Six aircraft practiced battle formation flying. Two aircraft tests were carried out. Three aircraft took off for Colitishall and nine aircraft for Northolt to take part in operations from there.

1943-07-29

At 0615 hours, our nine aircraft flew from Northolt to Coltishall. At 0930 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI took off from Coltishall to take part in a Ramrod No. 29 of No. 12 Group. They were to act as escort to cover 18 Marauders going out to bomb Schiphal aerodrome near Amsterdam. They rendezvoused over South-Wald at 12,000 feet. Course was set at 100° to HAARLEM (Holland). For some unknown reason, the bombers turned back for base followed by the Spitfires, course taken 280°. No A/A met and no enemy aircraft were encountered. Visibility was 15 miles with a light haze. They took off from Coltishall at 1510 hours and landed at Perranporth at 1700 hours.
At 21[05] hours, ten aircraft led by S/Ldr. Kornicki took off for Middle Wallop where they landed at 2230 hours.

1943-07-30

In the morning our aircraft flew to Manston. At 1035 hours, 10 aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI took off to take part in a Ramrod 174, 11 Group, and were to act as escort cover for 12 Mitchells going out to bomb Mexcille aerodrome, (France). They flew at sea level to Ray – rendezvoused with the bombers and climbed to 15,000 feet. The bombers stayed at 10,000 feet, crossed to French coast over HARDELST. The whole formation made a turn to the left and set course back to England. The bombers were recalled owing to the weather conditions, which were: visibility 8 miles and a strong haze covering the ground. No enemy aircraft were encountered and no A/A fire met. The aircraft landed back at Manston at 1135 hours. They returned to base landing here at 1410 hrs..
Six aircraft were scrambled at 1900 hours. They landed back at 1945, having patrolled the area well but not having encountered any enemy aircraft.

1943-07-31

Two aircraft were engaged on Convoy patrol. Other flying was for training purposes. It consisted of Air to air firing, formation flying and sector recco. 1 Aircraft was tested

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