Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-01-01/02

These two days, being Saturday and Sunday were devoted as holidays to celebrating the New Year.

1944-01-03

Navigation and practice Tac/R with fighter opposition carried out by both flights. In the afternoon a lecture was given by Colonel CZARNECKI of H.Q. 2nd Polish Corps on “German Divisional Tactics”. Revolver and Sten gun practice was also carried out by pilots.

1944-01-04

Aircraft Recognition Spotting Test conducted by Intelligence Officer. Formation flying and camera gun practice against aerial targets was carried out.

1944-01-05

High and low photographic reconnaissance during the morning. During afternoon a lecture given by Captain CHOMIUK from H.Q. 2nd Polish Corps on “Liaison between Ground and Air Reconnaissance Forces”. Information was received that issue of initial Spitfire VC ground equipment pack-up had been authorized by H.Q. R.A.F. Middle East.

1944-01-06

Photographic reconnaissances together with fighter escorts practices and practice combat occupied the morning. This day being Roman Catholic Feast of “The Three Kings”, the afternoon was declared a holiday.

1944-01-07

A lecture was given to the pilots by the Intelligence Officer on H.Q. R.A.F. Middle East Weekly Intelligence Summaries and A.H.Q. Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean Weekly Intelligence Summaries. This was followed by a talk by the Commanding Officer on “Flying Discipline”. Practice of low flying in formation and training in photographic reconnaissance of a fighter defended area were also carried out.

1944-01-08

Practice on photographic reconnaissance /obliques/. During the afternoon there was a “needle” football match between the squadron and our nearby neighbours No. 58 R.S.U., which resulted in a 1 – 0 win for the Squadron. P/O. KIRKPATRICK was posted to the Squadron as Intelligence Officer u/t.

1944-01-09

Sunday. As is customary in the Squadron, there being no other off day, this was a day of rest.

1944-01-10

A lecture was given by Colonel ANGERMANN of H.Q. 2nd Polish Corps on “A/A /Heavy and Light/ Defences and Evasive Action under fire”. This occupied all morning and was most instructing. The afternoon was taken up by exercises in long distance navigation over triangular course L.G. 207, Alexandria, Port Said, L.G. 207 involving 250 - 300 miles. F/O. UCHWAT flying a Hurricane IIA developed a glycol leak and made a good belly landing a few miles north of base. The pilot was unhurt, and the forced landing resulted in relatively little damage to the aircraft – Category 2.

1944-01-11

A lecture was given by the Engineer Officer on “The Hydraulic and Fuel Systems of the Spitfire VC”. The rest of the day was occupied with high level photographic reconnaissance and Tac/R practices.

1944-01-12

Aircraft Recognition Spotting Test conducted by the Intelligence Officer. A demonstration was given on the Camp by 15th Polish Armoured Regiment of the “STOCKHUNT” Armoured Car, a new heavy type. During the afternoon there was practice in aerobatics and formation flying, and also a lecture by the Army Liaison Officer on “The use of MERTON’s GRID in interpreting Artillery Reconnaissance Photographs”.

1944-01-13

Practice Tac/R together with fighter interception occupied the whole morning. During the afternoon a lecture was given by F/Lt. BARBER of 680 PR Squadron on “The Duties of a Photographic Reconnaissance Unit”. Aerobatics practice was also carried out. Another 60 Polish other ranks visited 73 O.T.U. to see the security film “Next of Kin”. The whole Squadron has now seen it.

1944-01-14

Lecture on H.Q. R.A.F. Middle East and A.H.Q. Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean Weekly Intelligence Summaries by the Intelligence Officer. Low flying in formation. In the afternoon camera gun practice.

1944-01-15

Tac/R practice. In preparation for exercise “TUSSLE” due to commence 0001 hrs. on 17th, all pilots received briefing by the Army Liaison Officer and Squadron Leader Flying. In this exercise the Squadron forms part of the “KABRITIAN” Air Force, which state is supposed to be at war with the “Alexandrians”. Tac/Rs are to be carried out on orders given by “Tussle” control and 4 A.A.S.C. through the Polish Army Liaison Officer attached to the Squadron. This afternoon was devoted to sports and games, of which basketball is the most popular.

1944-01-16

Sunday. An important football match between the Squadron team and the 5th Polish Brigade was won 3 – 0 by the Squadron. The Tac/R sorties were carried out at request of “Tussle” Control. They revealed the enemy forces massed and stationary South-west of Cairo.

1944-01-17

The first day of Exercise “Tussle” resulted in a demand for five Tac/R tasks by the Squadron. During the day eleven sorties were made, of which two were photographic reconnaissances for instructional purposes. The photographs were taken, developed, printed and dropped from the air at Control Headquarters within one hour, which was an extremely good performance. A daily log of the exercise from the Squadron angle was kept by the Army Liaison Officer and Intelligence Officer and despatched daily by despatch rider to the Chief R.A.F. Umpire at Kilo 51 Cairo – Suez Road, some four hours distant.

1944-01-18

Three tasks were demanded of the Squadron, involving six sorties. The last task had to be abandoned by dust and sand rising to 5,000 feet making visibility nil. F/O. GAWORSKI while flying one of our two Spitfires VC forced landed due to engine failure, resulting in Category 2B damage to the aircraft. The pilot was uninjured.

1944-01-19

Weather conditions, with a westerly gale and continual dust storms, prevented all flying for the day and made life under canvas very uncomfortable. During the afternoon the Intelligence Officer conducted an Aircraft Recognition Spotting Test, at which the pilots are now becoming very proficient.

1944-01-20

Five tasks were demanded of the Squadron, one a low level attack by four aircraft to represent a fighter-bomber attack. Twelve sorties were carried out without difficulties. A request for OPREPS since the arrival of the Squadron in the Middle East /19th August/ having been received from Operations Records, H.Q. R.A.F. Middle East, these are now being compiled retrospectively and weekly until the Squadron becomes operational. As the Squadron is still in training and is still non-operational, these had not previously been requested. Command Intelligence Officer, A.H.Q. Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean does not at present require them.

1944-01-21

Four tasks were demanded, two being Tac/Rs and two involving eight aircraft to simulate fighter-bomber attacks. A total of twelve sorties was made. One photographic reconnaissance was also made for instructional purposes, the photographs this time were taken and dropped by air in fifty minutes – an even better performance than on the 17th. The exercise was concluded at 1200 hrs. It was of definite value to the Squadron, all Tac/Rs being expeditiously carried out and results quickly passed to the Army via 4 A.A.S.C. Two main points emerged: first, that due to the great distance – four hours by road – between Control Headquarters and the Squadron, there was insufficient contact between the Army Liaison Officer and the Army; second, that had more information been made available for briefing pilots on the ground situation, more valuable reports could have been passed to the Army.

1944-01-22

F/O. CAMPBELL departed on posting to H.Q. R.A.F. Middle East. He will be much missed by the whole Squadron. His place as EQUIPMENT OFFICER is filled by F/O. OSGATHORPE. During the afternoon low and formation flying was practised by the Squadron.

1944-01-23

Sunday was spent at rest by the Squadron and by the Intelligence Officer in preparing OPREPS from the date the Squadron came under Middle East Command /19th August/ up to date. The months of August, September and October were treated on a monthly basis. November, December, January and henceforward as weekly returns so long as the Squadron remains non-operational.

1944-01-24

Lecture on Middle East and Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean Weekly Intelligence Summaries by Intelligence Officer. Low navigation and vertical mosaic of NILE DELTA area for practice. The Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Flying, Operations Officer and Army Liaison Officer attended a conference on Exercise “TUSSLO” in Cairo, over which the new General Officer Commanding, General PAGED presided. The aerial photographs taken by the Squadron and referred to on 17th and 21st were prominently displayed. The R.A.F. aspect was very briefly dealt with, but appreciation was expressed at the expeditious manner all tasks were carried out. The speed with which Tac/R results were passed to Army Headquarters received favourable comment.

1944-01-25

The Squadron Signals Officer lectured in Polish on the German R.D.F. system. This was based on information extracted from Middle East Weekly Intelligence Summaries, etc. and supplied by the Intelligence Officer. Flight and squadron formation flying was carried out throughout the day.

1944-01-26

Lecture on the Spitfire VC by the Squadron Engineer Officer. A Tac/R practice sortie involving two aircraft close escort by eight Hurricanes. The object was to ascertain the difficulties both of escort and Tac/R aircraft in such a task. It was considered that the fighters could not act as close escort while over the target. It was decided that the escort should leave the Tac/R aircraft a few minutes before reaching the target and sweep the target area just ahead of the Tac/R aircraft. The latter would then turn away as quickly as possible on completing the Tac/R and proceed home on prearranged course, to be joined as soon as possible by the fighter escort. Further practices on these lines will be carried out. Practice photographic reconnaissance and aerobatics were carried out in the afternoon.

1944-01-27

Aircraft recognition tests given to all pilots. The remainder of the day was spent in practice photographic reconnaissance and aerobatics. F/Lt. STONEHAM proceeded to No. 12 Sector Operations Room to arrange a visit for the Squadron pilots on the following day, and was accompanied by P/O KIRKPATRICK who took the opportunity to acquaint himself with the workings of a Sector Operations Room.

1944-01-28

Examination and assessment of cine camera films taken by pilots during the last month. In conformity with instructions contained in Training Syllabus for a Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron issued on 13th December, 1943 by Air Headquarters, Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean, 9 pilots flew to GAMIL and visited No. 12 Sector Operations Room where a lecture was given by the Senior Controller. F/LT. BEREZECKI and F/LT. GORNIAK flew to HELIOPOLIS and arranged with the Station Armament Officer a suitable air to air firing range for practice within the few next days. All aircraft returned during the afternoon. The Officer Commanding, 2nd Light A/A Regiment visited the Squadron and requested co-operation for A/A practice. This was arranged.

1944-01-29

The entire morning was spent in practice aerial combat flying with use of camera gun. During the afternoon the Commanding Officer held a conference which was attended by all Polish Officers, when orders concerning the administration of the Polish Air Force were read out. Aircraft of the Squadron co-operated in A/A practice by 2nd Light A/A Regiment.

1944-01-30

As usual, this day being Sunday was a day of rest for the Squadron.

1944-01-31

Two sorties were flown at the request of the local British A/A Unit. Throughout the day all pilots had air to air firing practice at a range near HELIOPOLIS.

GENERAL

M.T. Establishment complete less one staff car.
A visit was received from the Command /Air Headquarters, Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean/ Fire Officer as a result of Form 523 action on the fire tender. After a test it was decided if properly maintained the vehicle should be serviceable.
At intervals during the month clay pigeon shooting was carried out by pilots.
Anti-gas lectures were given by the Gas N.C.O.
During the month a preparatory course was held for potential Flight Mechanics, also general knowledge lectures to all ranks. In addition to this, twelve hours were expended on lectures covering Spitfires VC to Fitters and Flight Mechanics.
The total number of hours flown by the Squadron during the month was 382 hours 55 minutes, and aircraft serviceability averaged 85 per cent.
In addition to the postings previously mentioned, the following movements took place during the month: W/Cdr. WOJTYGA posted to Middle East Headquarters to await embarkation to the United Kingdom on 14th January. F/Lt. ARASZKIEWICZ posted to 216 Group /Transport Command/ on 5th January. P/O. KIRKPATRICK posted from Air Headquarters, Levant on 4th January. The liaison section was increased by the arrival of a Corporal Nursing Orderly, AC. Equipment Assistant and AC. Clerk G.D.

L. Wielochowski
Squadron Leader, Commanding,
No. 318 /Polish/ Squadron.