Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-12-01

NORTHOLT.

Squadron was to more today to Southend for air to air firing course. The weather however was very foggy and S/L KORNISKI after doing the weather test decided not to fly.

1943-12-02

SOUTHEND.

Today 16 aircraft led by S/LDR KORNICKI took off at 1325 for Southend. They landed there at 1405 hours. One aircraft landed with a burst tyre. Landing was very succesful without any further damage to the aircraft. All the pilots were present at the lecture on the firing programme and range instructions.

1943-12-03

No flying could be carried out owing to adverse weather. Instructional films on air to air and air to ground firing were shown. In the course of the day all pilots attended lectures on photo camera, 20 mm gun and machine gun.

1943-12-04

With the improvement of the weather air to air firing was carried out during the whole of the day. Altogether 35246 rounds of ammunition were spent.

1943-12-05

In the morning films of the previous day were shown and flying on air to air firing was continued.

1943-12-06

Air to air firing was continued. One aircraft was brought from Northolt.

1943-12-07

In the morning a lecture on the harmonisation of gun and machine gun task place. Later shorting to the pigeons and flying on photo attacks were carried out.

1943-12-08

The weather was unsuitable for flying and the lectures on 40mm Vickers “S” gun, ammunition for Browning machine gun and 20 mm gun took place.

1943-12-09

The bad weather spell continued. The pilots attended a lecture on gun cleaning and later pigeon shooting took place.

1943-12-10

Weather improved and flying on air to air firing and photo was resumed.

1943-12-11

SOUTHEND.

Today air to air firing both with guns and machine guns was carried out. A flying accident of F/SGT ZYCH took place. This pilot took off in the section of three aircraft on firing exercise. Waiting for his turn to carry out firing F/SGT ZYCH was attacked by a strange aircraft and being anxious to recognize it flew to the IPAWICH area. While returning to base the engine failed and the pilot was obliged to force land. The aircraft sustained serious damage but the pilot was unhurt.

1943-12-12

No flying took place today owing to the bad weather. Films of the previous days flying were shown. In the afternoon pigeon and revolver shooting took place.

1943-12-13

Air to air firing was continued today. Other flying consisted of two Masters which made several sorties on dual as a practice attacks to the drouge,

1943-12-14

Flying consisted of two aircraft doing photo attacks. The pilots were engaged in assesing their films of the previous days.

1943-12-15

Air to air firing was continued.

1943-12-16

Today the air firing course has ended but the squadron was unable to come back to Northolt owing to the bad weather.

1943-12-17

The bad weather continued. The squadron was unable to fly to Northolt.

1943-12-18

Today the weather improved slightly and in the afternoon 16 aircraft led by S/LDR KORNICKI took off for Northolt. All the aircraft landed safely after 40 minutes flight in very difficult weather conditions.

1943-12-19

NORTHOLT

No flying was undertaken. All aircraft were being thoroughly inspected after very stremues flying.

1943-12-20

12 aircraft led by S/LDR RUTKOWSKI took off at 1010 hours to take part in a Ramrod 375 as the close escort for 72 Marauders. This operation was quite uneventful. No enemy aircraft were seen Bombing results were not observed owing to clouds. Squadron landed at base at 1150 hours.

1943-12-21

Today Ramrod 382 took place. Our aircraft led by F/LT RADOMSKI acted as a close escort for 72 Marauders who were to bomb Le Meillard and Bouniers. The squadron took off at 1035 hours and crossed the enemy coast at 1120 hours at 9,000 feet. Over the target area which was covered by 10/10ths clouds the bombers turned back and dropped the bombs on the coast. All our aircraft landed at 1240 hours having encountered no enemy aircraft. One section was engaged on air-sea operation. Nothing happened out of the ordinary. One aircraft test was made during the day.

1943-12-22

NORTHOLT.

Twelve aircraft led by G/C ROLSKI took part in Ramrod 385 as the escort cover for 72 Marauders who were to bomb Le Meillard and Cornnets. They took off at 1205 hours intercepting the bombers according to plan. The French Coast was crossed over Le Touquet at 17,000 feet. Over the target area the bombers turned back abandoning mission owing to clouds. Slight flak was seen from Boulogne area.

1943-12-23

No flying took place owing to the bad weather.

1943-12-24

S/LDR RUTKOWSKI led 12 aircraft on a Ramrod 392. The squadron acted close escort for 36 Marauders who were to bomb Cornette and Audicthum in France. This operation was very succesful. Bombs were seen to burst on the target area. No enemy aircraft were seen but our aircraft encountered fairly accurate flak from ST. OMER area. One section was engaged on air-sea operations.

1943-12-25 - 1943-12-29

No flying could be undertaken during those days owing to the adverse weather conditions.

1943-12-30

Eleven of our aircraft led by F/LT RADOMSKI took off at 0950 hours to take part in a Ramrod 396 as the escort to Fortresses. The bombers were met on the course while wing climbed over England French Coast was crossed near Fecamp at 25,000 feet. No enemy aircraft were seen. Because the Thunderbolt escort was late wing escorted the bombers as far as Compiegne then set course for base at 1055 hours. The squadron landed at 1200 hours.
In the afternoon Ramrod 397 took place. Twelve aircraft led by F/LT RADOMSKI took off at 1310 hours to act as close escort to 24 Mitchels who were attacking targets in France. Operation went off according to plan. Some bombs bursts were seen but could not be located bacause of haze and clouds. The squadron landed at 1450 hours. No enemy aircraft were seen. One section of two aircraft was engaged on air-sea operations. This was quite uneventful.

1943-12-31

NORTHOLT.

S/LDR RUTKOWSKI led twelve of our aircraft on a Ramrod 401 acting as a fighter umbrella. Our aircraft took off at 0940 hors and patrolled as part of the Polish wing between BLAUGY and FREVANT at 14/16,000 ft. uneventfully. No enemy aircraft were seen and no flak was encountered wing crossed out over the French Coast at LE CRETOY and landed at base at 1140 hours.
Ramrod 403 took place in the afternoon. Twelve of our aircraft led by F/LT RADOMSKI took off at 1230 hours. They were to act as escort cover to 72 Marauders who were attacking targets in France. This operation was according to plan. After bombing our squadron escorted one box of bombers back over coast west of GRAVELINES. No enemy aircraft were seen. Moderate heavy flak was thrown up from GRAVELINES. All our aircraft landed at 1415 hours.
One section was engaged on air-sea operation. Other flying consisted of 3 aircraft tests and two aircraft did local flying.

J. Radomski F/Lt
for SQUADRON LEADER commanding
NO. 317 POLISH FIGHTER SQUADRON