Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1945-01-01

08.35
The Squadron started the New Year at an early hour. At 08.35 eleven aircraft led by S/L. CHELMECKI took off on operation D. 269/CD 72 to bomb the target CD72. 11 X 500lb bombs and 22 X 250 pounders were dropped on both ends of the target but no results were seen. Whilst the Squadron was away on this mission, Jerry paid the airfield / B61 / a visit to the tune of between 30, and 40 F.W.190’s and M.E. 109’s but before the enemy aircraft had completed their fun and games the Squadron returned and a dog fight over the airfield resulted. During the ensueing combat the Squadron obtained 6 enemy aircraft destroyed 2 probably destroyed and 3 damaged for the loss of 1 machine and Pilot / F/L POWIERZA killed / thus proving to Jerry that they were not suffering with such a severe New Years Eve hangover as he might have anticipated. Six of the Squadron A/C. were however destroyed on the ground. After all this excitement the Squadron landed at approximately 10.10hrs. but 4 of them landed away from base.

1945-01-03

08.15.
Two A/C. leader F/L. MUTH took off on weather recco. in the GRINGHEM–NENSCHEIDE area, the conditions were found to be in the TURNHOUT area 10/10 at 45.000 ft with slight mist and poor visibility with the mist thickening further North. From this mission 1 Spitfire and Pilot W/O. PIESIK landed away from base.

1945-01-04

13.55.
F/L MUTH led 8 A/C/ on operation D.D.324 to bomb and strafe Rail and Road movements in areas W & X, four 250 lb bombs were dropped on the rail line at E.7079 no direct hits, another 4 x 250 pounders were dropped on the rail line at A.1685 one direct hit being seen, a further 8 250 lb bombs were dropped on flak positions is Square D. 97 but no results were seen. No Big Ben or Diver activity was observed. Aircraft returned at 16.10hrs.

1945-01-05

10.10.
8 Aircraft led by F/L. KACZMAREK on operation D.329 fighter sweep in area BONN – COBLENZ – TRIER this mission proved uneventful. Enemy aircraft were reported by LONGBOW when the Squadron was over TILBURG but no action took place. A single aircraft was also reported in the BERGEN – OP – ZOOM area but this proved to be a friendly Spitfire. Weather conditions were 3/10 thin cloud in patches at about 8.000ft with excellent visibility.
13.15.
F/L MROCZYK led 4 A/C. on operation D.D.342 to bomb strafe and do armed recce. in area W. and around UTRECHT, 8 X 250lb bombs were dropped on rail lines at E.5599 two direct hits were seen, the A/C. then patrolled AMERSFOORT – ARNHEM – UTRECHT and GOODA areas but no activity was observed but the pilots saw 1 Big Ben condensation trail from the Hague area but no Diver activity was seen, all A/C. returned to base at 14.30hrs.

1945-01-06

08.35.
Four A/C. led by F/L. MUTH took off on operation D.D. 354 armed recce in area Y. This operation proved uneventful owing to the weather conditions, there being 9/10 cloud from 2 to 7.000ft and mist.

1945-01-07 / 1945-01-12

During this period bad weather kept the Squadron on the ground. But on the 13th the A/C. and pilots were able to take off from B.61 and join the rest of the Unit which had moved in the meantime to B.60.

1945-01-14

GRIMBERGEN

08.20.
Three A/C. led by F/L. KACZMAREK took off on operation D.D. 379 to dive bomb strafe and armed recce any targets in areas Y & Z bit owing to bad weather the A/C. were recalled ten minutes later.
14.35.
F/L. KACZMAREK led 12 A/C. on operation D.383/CD100/111/112 to dive bomb targets CD100, CD111 and CD112, nine 500lb bombs and 21 X 250 pounders were dropped on target CD111 with possibly 2 direct hits. All the A/C. returning to base at 15.45hrs.

1945-01-20

GRIMBERGEN

09.25.
F/L. NARTOWICZ started his duties with the Squadron as Flight Commander by leading 11 A/C. on operation D.D.415 armed recce. in area Z, four 250lb bombs were dropped on rail and road crossings at D.8785 no direct hits were observed but 2 MET were destroyed at this point. Pilots saw one V.2 trail from D.6490 heading in the ANTWERP direction.

1945-01-22

11.00.
F/L. SNIEC led by 11 A/C. on operation D.D.431 armed recce, in western half of area T. with special attention to V.1 and V.2 sites, seven 250lb bombs were dropped on three barges at Z.4607 near misses were seen. The alternative target at Z.7208 was attacked with 5 – 250 pounders but no results were seen. 7 x 250.lb. Bombs were dropped on Barracks at Z.7305, 1 direct hit being observed. At Z.8322 approximately 20 Trucks were straffed with Cannon and M/G, but no results were seen. Pilots observed one Big Ben trail in the Hague area, but no Diver activity was seen.
15.10.
F/L. KOWALSKI led 10 Aircraft on Operation DD.431, an Armed Recce. 15 x 250.lbs of bombs were dropped on rail-lines, barges, and Gun positions spotted during the flight, but only one direct hits was observed on a flak position which was giving some trouble to our Aircraft attacking another target. The Aircraft returning to base at 17.30.hrs.

1945-01-23

08.50.
2 Aircraft, Leader F/LT. MUTH took off on Weather Recce. in the area of APPLEDOORN and further North. The weather reported was quite good, 4 – 5/10 at about 7-9,000.ft. and visibility 6 – 10 miles.
09.45.
F/LT. SNIEC led 7 Aircraft on Operation D.452. an Armed Recce. in the area WEST of ROTTERDAM. A Ship at D.605735 was bombed without result, but two direct hits were scored on a Wreck at D.6572. A LOCO. And Five Trucks were destroyed at D.808868. The Aircraft returning at 11.30. Hrs.
14.00.
10 Aircraft took off on Operation D.464. led by S/L. CHELMECKI on a Dive Bombing mission in the area WEST of ROTTERDAM. Bombs were dropped on a large Berge in the Target Area, and Two Direct Hits were scored. After bombing the target was straffed with Cannon and M/G. All the Aircraft returning to base at 15.05.hrs.

1945-01-28

16.00.
S/LDR. CHELMECKI led 12 Aircraft on Operation D.507. an Armed Recce of the area between ROTTERDAM and AMERSFOORT. No ground movement was seen, but 8 – 250 pounders were dropped on Road and Rail Crossing at E.1769, no direct hits were observed. 6 more 250 pounders were dropped on the Rail-line at E.3088, 1 Direct was seen, and 6 x 250.lbs of bombs were dropped with unobserved results on the Rail Junction at K.4586. The Aircraft returned to base at 17.40. Hrs.

1945-01-29

13.50.
F/L. Hrycak led 7 Aircraft on Operation DD.517. Armed Recce. North of Arnhem, 8 x 250.lb. bombs were dropped on a car and 3 H,D,T’s spotted through a break in the almost complete cloud cover at Z.7519, and after bombing the target was straffed with Cannon and M.G. 1 MET flamer obtained. Six more 250 pounders were dropped on rail-road crossing at Z.8503, but the results were not observed. No Big Ben or Diver Activity was seen during this mission.
For the last two days of the month, bad weather kept the Aircraft on the ground. The old proverb of “In like a Lion – out like a Lamb” certainly applies to this months activities.

[Illegible]
Squadron Leader Commanding,
No. 317 / Polish / Squadron.
ROYAL AIR FORCE