Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-02-01

Combat films were shown in the Projection Room, all pilots concerned being present. Assessments were made and the high value of this instructional period was fully appreciated. Air to air firing practice was continued by both flights throughout the day. Two sorties were flown in co-operation with local A/A and Artillery spotting. Air R/T communication test was carried out between aircraft in flight and Operations Room, results being exceptionally good.

1944-02-02

Both flights practised air to ground firing throughout the day. One sortie was flown in combined co-operation with Light A/A and Artillery practice. A sortie was also flown for photo - recce. of “Headquarters” in Helwan area, where an exercise “RUNOUT” was in progress. Two new aircraft were today delivered to the Squadron – one Spitfire VC No. M.H.584 and one Hurricane IIB No. H.L.957.

1944-02-03

Air to ground firing practice was continued by both flights, lasting from early morning to afternoon. One Spitfire sortie was flown in co-operation with A/A practice. A lecture was given in Polish by the A.L.O. on “Artillery Procedure”. F/Lt. MOSZYNSKI also gave a lecture on “Combat Films”.

1944-02-04

A few pilots practised air to air firing. Later in the day all pilots took part in air to ground shadow firing practice. Two photo-recce. sorties were flown for exercise “RUNOUT”. The Intelligence Officer read extracts from M.E. W.I.S. and E.M. W.I.S. to all pilots. These periods are of great interest and usually also attended by other officers of the Squadron.

1944-02-05

Refresher lecture by I.O. on Aircraft Recognition, British types. Shadow firing practice took place during the morning. The C.O. held a conference which was attended by all Polish Officers. In the evening a Squadron dance was held at a nearby N.A.A.F.I. and was attended by all ranks. This proved a great success, and a very pleasant evening ensued. In the centre of hall hung a large scale model of a Hurricane, and the walls adorned with extremely good caricatures of flying personalities.

1944-02-06

With the exception of routine duties this day, a Sunday, was spent in relaxation. During the afternoon Air Commodore RAYSKI arrived to spend a few days with the Squadron.

1944-02-07

A lecture was given by the I.O. on Aircraft Recognition., this period being devoted to revision of Italian types in use of the German Air Force. This was followed by a lecture on G.A.F. R.D.F. developments, given by the Signals Officer. Later, both took part in formation and navigational flying. Air Commodore RAYSKI took part in the flying, piloting a Spitfire. Six pilots travelled to ABU SUEIR in order to acquaint themselves with landing facilities in preparation for night flying. During the afternoon pilots were briefed for night flying by F/Lt. MOSZYNSKI, and a night flying test was carried out at 1500 hrs. Ground party moved to ABU SUEIR at 1600 hrs. At 1630 hrs. four aircraft were airborne from L.G. 207 for ABU SUEIR. Night flying took place from 1745 – 2100 hrs., all pilots were already well experienced in this and the practice proved extremely satisfactory.

1944-02-08

Five pilots, accompanied by I.O., journeyed to AL MAZA to witness synthetic firing practice at the Artillery School. A big chance took place in the weather, and heavy sand storms from mid-day on made flying impossible.

1944-02-09

An Aircraft Recognition lecture was given by the I.O. – revision of Italian types continued. Three photo-recce. sorties were flown in co-operation with a local Artillery unit. Night flying took place from 17.00 – 21.30 hrs. and was witnessed by the I.Os.

1944-02-10

Four pilots journeyed to ABU SUEIR to collect aircraft used in previous nights’ night flying. Two photo-recce. sorties were flown at the request of a British Field Artillery to make-up a mosaic. Four pilots travelled by road to the Artillery School at AL MAZA for synthetic artillery recce and R/T practice. The Squadron was visited at lunch time by the C.G.I. of 74 O.T.U., Capt. VAN DER GART, D.F.C., later of No. 40 S.A.A.F. Squadron, and Maj. GOVEN, M.C., C.O. of No. 210 A.L.O. Section attached to 74 O.T.U. the opportunity was taken to pursuade the C.G.I. to give a chat to all pilots on “Experience of Tac/R Squadron in North Africa and Italian Campaigns”. Notes were made by the I.O. and form the subject ot Appendix “A” TO Form 540. One photo-recce sortie was flown to complete yesterday’s photo. mosaic. After N/F tests had been carried out, four aircraft were flown to ABU SUEIR preceded by the ground party. Seven night sorties were carried out 1745 and 2045 hrs.

1944-02-11

Extracts form M.E. W.I.S. were read to pilots by I.O. Four photo-recce. sorties were flown to complete mosaic of artillery range on CAIRO-SUEZ Road, involving 100 Kms. sq. Four more pilots travelled by road to Artillery School, AL MAZA. A lecture was given by the Polish I.O. on “The Defence Against Enemy Propaganda”. Formation flying and low navigation were practised during the day.

1944-02-12

Formation flying was carried out during the morning. For five days of this week one aircraft was flown to co-operate with the Polish Army L.A.A. At lunch time today the Squadron received a visit from Lt. Col. MC NEIL, the G.I. Air at H.Q. 8th Army in ITALY, who was on his way down from No. 74 O.T.U.

1944-02-13

The Squadron was today visited by the Polish P.R. Officer together with a Polish Mobile Cinema Unit /Army/ who the pilots being briefed by the A.L.O. on tomorrow’s artillery recce. Other scenes from the daily life of the Squadron were also filmed. The usual Sunday period of relaxation was somewhat spoilt by dust storms.

1944-02-14

The C.O. and A.L.O. briefed all pilots taking part in Arty/R exercises lasted three days. From 0830 – 1415 hrs. ten sorties were flown for Arty/R. Two sorties for message dropping, one at H.Q. 2nd Polish Corps, one at G.P. Pilots not participating in this exercise carried out usual flying practice. The Squadron was also visited by Col. URBANOVITCH, Polish L.O. with the U.S.A.A.F. The Colonel gave a lecture to all pilots in Polish and afterwards spoke in English to the British Liaison Section.

1944-02-15

A great change took place today in the weather, grey skies and a bitter north-east wind. By mid-day sand was rising and visibility deteriorated. From 0830 – 1215 hrs. Arty/R was carried out in a live shoot practice with the Greek Artillery south of CAIRO – SUEZ Road, twelve sorties.
Three new pilots arrived from 74 O.T.U - F/Lt. IGNATOWSKI, F/O. TELEWIAK and P/O. SWIECICKI. Further Arty/R was impossible during the afternoon owing to bad visibility over target area. Lectures were therefore given by the A.L.O. on “Arty/R Procedure and Gun Position Spotting and by the I.O. on M.E. W.I.S. and Aircraft Recognition.

1944-02-16

Hot khamseen wind blew all day from the east, low cloud and bad visibility. Nine sorties were flown on Arty/R for Greek Artillery, four direct hits being obtained and correction given by our pilots. Two sorties were flown for photo. mosaic. The remainder of the Squadron, including the new pilots, carried out normal flying training.

1944-02-17

Aircraft Recognition Spotting Test given to nineteen pilots by I.O. Formation flying took place during the morning. Two photo.recce sorties were flown at the request of H.Q. 3rd Corps. By mid-day the wind which had risen during the night grew into a gale. Blowing sand made flying impossible. By nightfall a full dust storm was in progress, filling everyone’s tent and kit – an uncomfortable night was spent by all. Two I.Os visited Map Depot MOASCAR in the morning to get maps for the new pilots. F/Lt. MOSZYNSKI spoke to pilots on results of our Arty/R earlier in the week. Pilots were briefed by Lt. NIELINSKI, the A.L.O., one more Arty/R to be carried out with 3rd Corps on the 18th and 19th of this month. A happy tribute was paid to the British Liaison Section when the Squadron C.O., S/Ldr. WIELOCHOWSKI, presented the officers and men each with a handworked Polish Airforce badge in metal. The presentation took place in the Officers’ Mess and was in the words of the C.O. “An expression of the friendship and harmony existing between the Liaison Section and the Squadron”. The Liaison Staff responded to his generous gesture with a toast to “The Health and Success of the Squadron”.

1944-02-18

Due to continued sand storms and bad visibility no flying was possible all morning. It improved in the afternoon, but visibility continued to be poor and the artillery shoot with the 3rd Corps had to be cancelled. An Aircraft Recognition lecture was given by the I.O. to fourteen pilots during the afternoon. The wind had died down by the evening.

1944-02-19

All aircraft were grounded by order of the Engineer Officer, large quantities of sand having penetrated into the cockpits and engines. All aircraft were serviced by mid-day. Group Captain SPENCER of A.H.Q. Air Defence Operations arrived by Hurricane from ALEXANDRIA and visited the Squadron. In the absence of the C.O. at Polish H.Q. in Cairo F/Lt. MOSZYNSKI accompanied him. The weather today was clear, sunny and calm. During the afternoon several basketball matches were played by flights and other sections.

1944-02-20

Today F/O. TATARSKI departed for HELIOPOLIS to commence a course on Photographic Interpretation. Apart from routine duties, this day was spent as usual Sunday, in relaxation.

1944-02-21

Weekly briefing of all pilots by F/Lt. MOSZYNSKI. Throughout the day flying took place in co-operation with the Polish Mobile Photographic Unit. Pilots were also filmed on the ground, the object being to compile a picture story of Polish squadron life.

1944-02-22

Low flying took place over the landing ground and filmed. Increase of wind made it necessary to cancel low flying for a time, but this was resumed later after an improvement in weather. The squadron held another dance at a nearby N.A.A.F.I., which proved a great success.

1944-02-23

Formation flying practice until 1500 hrs. During the afternoon revolver firing practice was carried out by all Polish officers of the Squadron. Two new pilots arrived on posting from 74 O.T.U. – F/Lt. MICHNIEWICZ and F/LT. SLUSARCZYK.

1944-02-24

Both flights practised formation flying during the morning, and in addition local training flights were made by the new pilots. Two pilots flew photo-recce. sorties in connection with the Squadron photo-recce. competition. All pilots will take part in this competition and a prize will be awarder to the winner. An Aircraft Recognition lecture was given by the I.O., a further period on revision of Italian types in use by the G.A.F. Formation flying continued during the afternoon and one photo-recce. sorties was flown for mosaic requested by 3rd Corps.

1944-02-25

Camera gun practice was carried out by both flights. The C.O., flying a Spitfire, proceeded to Luxor on a long distance recce. flight. Three pilots flew on navigational flight to ALEXANDRIA arriving back in the afternoon. Two pilots carried out navigational flights to PALESTINE. During the afternoon camera gun practice took place, and in addition local training flights were made by the new pilots. F/O. RADWANSKI, flying a Spitfire, experienced trouble with the undercarriage of the aircraft when coming in to land. All attempts to lower the undercarriage were without success, and eventually he was forced by reason of petrol shortage to make a belly a belly landing. Fortunately this was done without injury to the pilot and only slight damage to the aircraft – Cat. 2.

1944-02-26

Camera gun practice continued by both flights. Two more pilots proceeded to ALEXANDRIA on navigational flights, returning in the afternoon. Two pilots flew sorties for the Squadron photo-recce. competition. During the afternoon organised sports in the form of basketball matches were carried out.

1944-02-27

This day was spent as usual Sunday, in relaxation.

1944-02-28

Three more Hurricanes were flown to LUXOR on the organised long distance recce. programme. Two pilots flew photo-recce. sorties for the Squadron competition. During the day six pilots took part in high altitude flying, piloting Hurricanes, at heights varying from 30 – 33,000 ft. the C.O., S/Ldr. WIELOCHOWSKI, proceeded on leave for a period of fourteen days, his duties during this time being undertaken by F/Lt. MOSZYNSKI. Second in command.

1944-02-29

Three more pilots proceeded to LUXOR on long distance recce. flight. Two pilots flew sorties for the Squadron photo-recce. competition. A further sortie was flown for photo, mosaic requested by the 3rd Corps. Camera gun practice took place during the day.

During this month repeated dust and sand storms made maintenance work a difficult task, there were many days when weather at its worst made work impossible for this section. Conditions were not improved by the shortage of aircraft covers, but this difficulty was eventually overcome by the section making these themselves. In addition to the unusual covers, others were made expressly for protection of exhaust manifolds and have proved most effective.
Throughout February a total of 50 hours at lectures were given to ACH’s in preparation for trade tests. Many of the personnel working on maintenance were transferred from the Polish Army, and it was discovered that they were at a great disadvantage in studying this specialist work: for this reason many lecturing periods were devoted to the basic principles of aero-engineering and should prove of great assistance in improving the men’s studies.

It is now nearly one year since the Squadron was formed in the U.K. Many of the pilots already had considerable operational experience in Poland, France and the U.K. and volunteered to form the new Squadron in the hope of its becoming operational during the summer of 1943. Seven months have been now spent in the Middle East, during which time intensive training, in all branches, has been carried out, much of it with the 2nd Polish Corps now in action in Italy. It is felt that this long period of training has now resulted in a deterioration in morale, particularly to personnel who have already seen action. It is therefore the earnest hope of all ranks that this training period will soon be translated into one of action.

Z.S. MOSZYNSKI
Flight Lieutenant, Commanding.
No. 318 /Polish/ Squadron.