Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-01-01

NORTHOLT

Today’s flying consisted of 12 aircraft doing. One aircraft flew to HUCKNALL and back.

1944-01-02

NORTHOLT

In the morning an operation was to take place but was cancelled. In the afternoon 12 aircraft took off for formation flying. Two aircraft did local flying.

1944-01-03

NORTHOLT

One section of 5 aircraft was engaged on air-sea operations. Other flying consisted of one aircraft test.

1944-01-04

NORTHOLT

12 of our aircraft led by S/LDR MIKSA took off at 0855 hours to take part in a Ramrod 416 as first fighter sweep to bombers attacking noball targets. Our squadron as part of the Polish wing crossed in at 0934 hours over CRAVELINES. Swept at 20,000feet ST. OMER-ARRAS- CAP GRIS NEZ area uneventfully. Moderate accurate heavy flak experienced from CAP GRIS NEZ which was recrossed at 1020 hours. Our aircraft landed at 1100 hours.
In the afternoon Ramrod 419 took place. Twelve of our aircraft took off at 1450 hours acting as first fighter sweep to Marauders attacking targets in France The squadron was led by S/LDR MIKSA. They crossed the French Coast at QUEND at 1535 hours at 22,000ft. When in the AMIENS area at about 22,000ft 7 or 8 condensation of trails were seen at about 30,000ft moving from S.E. to N.W. over the POIX area. The wing then started to climb to identify but the trails disappeared. Our squadron swept AMIENS-ABBEVILLE-POIX area uneventfully and crossed out over BERK. No ennemy aircraft were seen and no flak was encountered. All aircraft landed at 1650 hours. One section was engaged on air-sea operations but nothing happened out of the ordinary. Other flying consisted of one aircraft test and 2 aircraft on G.S.I. practice.

1944-01-05

NORTHOLT

S/LDR RUTKOWSKI LED 12 of our aircraft on a Ramrod 425 as withdrawal support to 2 combats wings of Fortresses. They took off at 1125 hours climbing from base and crossing the French Coast at ST. AUBIN sur MER at 22,000ft at 1200 hours. Flying on this course rendevous was made with the bombers at 1210 hours. The squadron landed at FORD at 1345 hors. F/LT KNAPIK and P/O KOLCZYNSKI forcelanded in the vicinity of the aerodrome owing to the shortage of petrol. Both the aircraft sustained damage but the pilots were unhurt. In the afternoon the squadron came back from FORD landing at 1530 hours.

1944-01-06

NORTHOLT

Flying was curtailed by the bad weather. In the course of the day 2 aircraft tests were made.

1944-01-07

NORTHOLT

S/LDR MIKSA led our twelve aircraft on a Ramrod 455. They were to act as cover to 3 combats wings OF Fortresses returning from bombing targets in Germany. The rendevous with the bomberstock place at 1325 hours above 10/10 clouds. On the way back between ALBERT and DOULLENS some F.W. 190 made one beam on attack from above and out of sun. Wing and Thunderbolts engaged these ennemy aircraft. All our aircraft landed at base at 1450 hours. There was no flak. Other flying during the day included two aircraft tests, two aircraft were flown from Heston, and two were engaged on G.C.I. practice.

1944-01-08

NORTHOLT

Ramrod 440 took place in the afternoon. twelve of our aircraft led by F/LT DROBINSKI took off at 1355 hours. [Illegible] was 7th fighter sweep. Wing climbed from middle of the channel and swept Le TREPORT-POIX-SOMME ESTUARY area at 15/17,000ft uneventfully. No e/a were seen and no flak was encountered.

1944-01-09

NORTHOLT

Flying training was carried out. It consisted of 11 aircraft doing formation flying. Two aircraft were tested.

1944-01-10

NORTHOLT

Flying training continued. 12 aircraft did formation flying and 2 aircraft were tested.

1944-01-12

NORTHOLT

No flying could be undertaken during those days because of bad weather.

1944-01-14

NORTHOLT

With the improvement of the weather flying was resumed. and Ramrod 455 took place in the morning. Our squadron led by S/LDR RUTKOWSKI provided escort cover to 54 Marauders. This operation was uneventful as far as our squadron was concerned. but S.AE. of St. OMER a mixed formation of F.W. 190 and Me. 109 made attack on 308 squadron. Intense heavy flak was directed to the bombers from St. Omer area. All our aircraft landed at 1245 hours. One section was engaged on air-sea rescue operations. Nothing happened out of the ordinary. Other flying included 2 aircraft tests. At 1620 hours twelve aircraft led by S/LDR MIKSA took off for COLTISHALL from where an operation was planned on the following day.

1944-01-15

NORTHOLT

No flying could be carried out during those days owing to adverse weather conditions. The

1944-01-16
NORTHOLT

Squadron had remained at Coltishall.

1944-01-17-1944-01-18

NORTHOLT

No flying took place because of the bad weather and our squadron was unable to return to base.

1944-01-19

NORTHOLT

The weather improved slightly but not enough to enable our aircraft to fly back to base. The days flying consisted of 2 aircraft tested.

1944-01-20

NORTHOLT

In the afternoon 12 of our aircraft returned from Coltishall. One aircraft test was made.

1944-01-21

NORTHOLT

Twelve of our aircraft took off at 1155 hours to take part in a Ramrod 467 as escort cover to 54 Marauders. Our squadron was led by S/LDR MIKSA. This operation was according to plan. Over the target single F.W. 190 were seen. Operations gave warning of ennemy activity in Amiens area. Our aircraft lande at 1330 hours. One aircraft took part in are-see operations. Other flying consisted of 2 aircraft tests 2 aircraft on army co-operation exercise.

1944-01-22

NORTHOLT

Weather was cloudy today and little flying was carried out. 2 aircraft flew on practice bombing.

1944-01-23

NORTHOLT

S/LDR MIKSA led 12 of our aircraft on a Ramrod 472 as escort cover to 54 Marauders attacking targets in France. They took off at 1455 hours and landed at base at 1645 hours. This was according to plan. In St. Omer area intense heavy flak was encountered. No e/a seen. One section took part in air-sea operations. Other flying consisted of 5 a/c tests.

1944-01-24

NORTHOLT

In the morning Ramrod 475 took place. Eleven of our aircraft led by S/LDR MIKSA took off at 0909 hours to act as close escort to 72 Marauders. Operation according to plan. No e/a seen. Moderate heavy flak encountered crossing coast in and over target area. Squadron landed at 1100 hours.
11 of our aircraft led by S/LDR MIKSA took off at 1220 hours to take part in a Ramrod 476 as fighter cover to3th formations of withdrawing Fortresses. On the way to rendevous 2 formations of Thunderbolts seen. Wing made circuit in rendevous area but as there was no sign of friendly bombers our fighters turned back and set course for home. Our squadron landed at 1420 hours. Two sorties on aircraft test were made during the day.

1944-01-25

NORTHOLT

Today 2 operations took place. In the morning 11 of our aircraft under the leadership of S/LDR MIKSA took part in a Ramrod 478 as fighter umbrella. Our aircraft took off at 0900 hours and with wing patrolled FRUGES-BETHUNE-ST.OMER-HAZEBROUK area. French coast left nort of BULOGNE and heavy, accurate flak was experienced from BULOGNE and CAP GRIZ NEZ area.
In the afternoon W/CDR SKALSKI led 12 of our aircraft on a Ramrod 482. They took off at 1550 hours and patrolled at 15,000ft from SENGATE-AUDRUICAQ-ST.OMER-CRAVELINES. Left French coast between MARDYCK and CRAVELINES. Bombers seen in formation coming in and leaving France. Near CRAVELINES about 20 big barges were seen stationary. Our aircraft landed at 1705 hours. One section of 2 aircraft was engaged on an uneventful air-sea operation. Other flying consisted of [5] a/c tests and 2 aircraft were engaged on practice bombing.

1944-01-26

NORTHOLT

10 of our aircraft took part in a Ramrod 487. They were led by S/LDR MIKSA and took off at 0955 hours. They were to act as close escort to [5]th attack of Marauders. This operation was abandoned because of the bad weather and wing recalled by operations at 1018 hours.
2 aircraft were engaged on air-sea operations.

1944-01-27

NORTHOLT

Today our squadron gave SPITFIRES IX L to a Norwegian fighter squadron and received their SPITFIRES IX. Accordingly 10 of our aircraft flew to Northweald with a view to exchanging aircraft 7 aircraft were brought our pilots and the rest were flown to our base by Norwegian pilots.

1944-01-28

NORTHOLT

No flying could be carried out today owing to the bad weather.

1944-01-29

NORTHOLT

Flying training was carried out only. It consisted of 15 aircraft doing formation flying, 2 a/c tests, 5 aircraft were engaged on army cooperation exercises and one aircraft did bombing practice. One section was engaged on an uneventful air-sea operation.

1944-01-30

NORTHOLT

Flying training was continued. It comprised 4 a/c on formation flying. Dusk flying was carried out by 5 aircraft.

1944-01-31

NORTHOLT

No flying owing to adverse weather conditions.

SQUADRON LEADER, commanding
317 POLISH FIGHTER SQUADRON