Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-10-01

NORTHOLT.

Flying training carried out. It consisted of formation flying, cine-camera gun practices, and a new pilot practiced landings. Two aircraft tests were carried out. In all there were 25 sorties for the day.

1943-10-02

Three aircraft went out on air-sea rescue operations,flight formations took off on air to ground firing,cine-camera gun attacks and formation flying. The sorties made today numbered 21.

1943-10-03

Nine aircraft were out on air-sea rescue operations. Low flying was practiced by one of our pilots and formation and photo attacks again formed the flying exercises of the day. Local flying was carried out.

1943-10-04

Once again three of our aircraft were out on air-sea rescue operations,Cine-camera gun practices were made and a little local flying was carried out.

1943-10-05

Weather not at all good and certainly hampering the flying which consisted only of formation flying and photo attacks carried out by nine aircraft.

1943-10-06

Weather continues to be u/s and apart from an aircraft test and a pilot taking off on 25 minutes navigation flying there was nothing else to report.

1943-10-07

Weather not exceptionally good but 29 sorties were made. Target towing air to air firing was carried out by nine aircraft. Squadron formation was practiced for almost an hour and a half whilst other aircraft practiced photo attacks and two aircraft were tested.

1943-10-08

Twelve of our aircraft took off at 1600 hours from Manston led by S/LDR.KORNICKI,F. to take part in Ramrod 264 in which they were to act as high cover to 72 Marauders which were going out to bomb CHIEVRES in Germany. Rendezvous was made over N.Foreland at 1620 hours. The French Coast was crossed over FOMES at 1633 hours.at the height of 19,000 feet.The Squadron was over the target at 1650 HOURS. Results of the bombing were not observed owing to the clouds over the target. Squadron landed back at Northolt at 1805 hours. No enemy aircraft were encountered.A.A.fire over target heavy but not accurate.Little local practice flying carried out today.

1943-10-09

To take part in Ramrod 266,eleven of our aircraft were led by S/LDR.KORNICKI,F.and took off from Northolt for Bradwell Bay. From there they were to act as part of the 2nd.Fighter Sweep into Holland in the vicinity of BREDA. Seventy two Marauders in the meantime were to bomb WOENSDRECHT aerodrome. The formation took off at 1430 hours from Bradwell Bay. They were over the target at 1520 hours, turned right over BREDA. Course was then set for Bradwell Bay and landed back at 1630 hours approximately. Enemy aircraft were unfortunately not encountered. A.A.fire was experienced near FLUSHING but it was aimed at the bombers. Bombs bursts were seen in the aerodrome area. F/O. WALAWSKI flew as air-sea rescue today, also F/O. Z.makowski.

1943-10-10

Owing to bad weather again only two aircraft tests were carried out.

1943-10-11

Once again the wretched weather stopped plans of flying. A heavy fog lay over the drome. Pilots carried out four aircraft tests only.

1943-10-12

Bad weather continues and no flying at all possible.

1943-10-13

Limited flying training practiced and two aircraft tests made. Nine of our aircraft returned from Bradwell Bay where they had been forced to stay since 9/10.

1943-10-14

A very thick fog over the drome again.No flying possible.

1943-10-15

The only flying possible again today was four aircraft tests.

1943-10-16

Twelve of our aircraft took off for Halesworth form which place an operation was to have taken place but owing to bad weather the operation was cancelled. Our pilots returned again to Northolt.

1943-10-17

Twelve of aur aircraft took off part today in Squadron formation flying.Six others practiced photo attacks and air to air firing.

1943-10-18

Twelve of our aircraft led today by W/CDR.GABSZEWICZ,and took off at 0825 hours on Ramrod 272. They acted as highest cover in this operation to 72 Marauders which were to bomb ERREUX aerodrome.English coast was crossed over Brighton and the bombers were met over the sea.The French coast was crossed over CONY-BORVILLE.They turned right over the target and returned to base.Enemy aircraft were not encountered but A.A.fire was experienced to be weak and not accurate. The pilots could not observe where it came from owing to the clouds.-10/10ths-. Landed back at Northolt at 1035 hours.
Twelve aircraft were led by F/LT.RADOMSKI,J. in Ramrod 273.Our aircraft took off at 1325 hours and had the task of being fighter cover for 120 Fortresses.The English coast was crossed over Hastings and rendezvous with Fortresses over Berch.They flew to DOVAI where Thunderbolts took over the Fortresses and escorted them to Germany.The flight was made to the target in very bad atmospherical conditions.On the way back the French Coast was crossed over BERCH.No enemy aircraft encountered.A.A.fire over BOULOGNE was very accurate and quite strong. F/OT.MENCEL’s aircraft was hit in the right wing. All the aircraft of our Squadron landed safely back at 1515 hours.
Twelve of our aircraft again led by W/CDR.GABSZEWICZ,took off at 1615 hours on Ramrod 274. They were fighter cover to 72 Marauders going out to/bomb ROUGE,ST.OMER aerodrome. Rendezvous was made with the bombers at 1635 hours over Beachy Head. The bombers turned back from Beachy Head owing to bad weather.The Squadron flew on to the French Coast before turning back and landing at 1745 hours.Weather conditions were bad again.Visibility 10 miles. Clouds 10/10ths.
Air to air firing was carried out during the day by three pilots.
Three aircraft were engaged on air-sea rescue operations for the Ramrod 274.

1943-10-19

Flying training only was carried out. Eleven aircraft practiced photo attacks and two aircraft tests were made.

1943-10-20

Twelve of our aircraft were led by F/LT.JANICKI,Z, on Rodeo 263 at 0900 hours. The English coast was crossed over Brighton at 0920 hours.Flew at sea level for 10 minutes then started climbing until they were over FECAMP at 0945 hours. After several circuits over France,the Squadron turned back and landed at 1055 hours.No”hun”aircraft encountered. No A.A. encountered either. Ramrod 277 took place at 1310 hours with twelve of our aircraft in the air led by the Squadron LEADER. This operation meant for our pilots that they would be fighter cover to 120 Fortresses going out to bomb Western Germany.The English Coast was crossed over Hastings and rendezvous with the bombers was made over BERCH at 1347 hours. They accompanied the bombers up to CAMBRAI,there leaving them and turning for base. No enemy aircraft seen and no A.A.fire encountered.One of our pilots turned back shortly after take off owing to defects in drop tanks again.

1943-10-21

No flying whatseever carried/out.

1943-10-22

W/CDR.GABSZEWICZ led twelve aircraft of our Squadron on Ramrod 280. They took off at 0930 hours to act as fighter cover for bombers going out to bomb aerodromes near ROUEN. They rendezvoused with bombers over Beachy Head and set course for the target.Bombing results were seen to be very exact. Dispersals and other buildings on the dromes were seen to be hit.Near ROUEN,heavy and quite accurate A.A. fire was encountered.Several enemy aircraft were seen but our Squadron did not get a chance of engaging them. Our Squadron landed back at 1140 hours.
S/LDR.KORNICKI,F. led twelve of our aircraft on Ramrod 282,taking off at 1435 hours, again to act as Fighter escort for bombers. Rendezvous was made with the bombers at 1455 hours. Atmospheric conditions were very bad – cloud being 10/10ths. at 7 to 9.000 feet.The bombers turned back when over the channel.The Squadron flew on to the French Coast,turned right and then set course for base.No enemy aircraft seen,A.A.fire not encountered. Landed back at 1550 hours. Other flying consisted of sector reconnaisance,three aircraft on air-sea rescue for the operations today and one aircraft test.

1943-10-23

No operational flying owing to bad weather. Fifteen of our aircraft practiced formation flying for 1 hour 10 minutes and sector recco was carried out by one aircraft.

1943-10-24

Ramrod 283 took place at 1130 hours with twelve of our aircraft being led by W/Cdr. ZURAKOWSKI. Rendezvous with bombers was made,the bombers being 5 minutes late,and the formation flew on to the French Coast between DIEPPE and LE TREPORT at approximately 1215 hours. Bomb bursts were seen on BEAUVAIS – NIVELLERS aerodrome,also in the woods,north west of same airfield.The Squadron landed back at 1330 hours.
S/LDR.KORNICKI,F. led twelve of our aircraft on Ramrod 284 taking off at 1545 hours. They swept towards the Dutch Coast and orbitted west of WALCHERON.Slight heavy flak North of WALCHERON.Landed back at 1740 hours with nothing further to report. Two aircraft tests/carried out.
F/LT.DROBINSKI had to turn back from Ramrod 284 owing to engine trouble.

1943-10-25

Formation flying by twelve aircraft carried out for over an hour. Two aircraft tests carried out.

1943-10-26

Twelve of our aircraft patrolled over London form 1500 hours to 1640 hours led by F/LT.RADOMSKI,J.. while the funeral of Sir Dudley Pound took place.

1943-10-27

Very heavy fog – no flying took place.

1943-10-28

Still no flying owing to the weather..

1943-10-29

Although the fog partly lifted,no flying was carried out.

1943-10-30

Weather continues to be absolutely u/s.

1943-10-31

No flying as the weather is still very unfavourable.

[Illegible]
Squadron Leader,Commanding
NO.317 POLISH SQUADRON.