Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1944-03-01

The 1st March was this year set aside as the Catholic Day of Easter Confession and with the exception of routine duties the Squadron spent the day in attending Recollection Services. Three Pilots continued the long distance recce programme by flying to LUXOR. As from this date the Squadron is reorganised into 3 Flights of 6 aircraft to a flight. F/L PREIHS was appointed Commander of “C” Flight.

1944-03-02

Three more pilots flew to LUXOR on long-distance recce flights. During the morning low navigation flying was practised, and six Pilots carried out high-altitude climbs, heights of 30/32000 being reached. Extensive R/T air-to-ground test was made during the afternoon, several blind spots being discovered in this area, and steps are being taken to remedy this. Cross-wind landings were also practised. In the evening, all Polish ranks attended a lecture given by SGT. QUIRINI of the Polish Army Public Relations on “World Events since the commencement of the War”. This was followed by a lecture on “Poetry and its Influence on Fighting Forces”. The lectures were received with great enthusiasm, and it has been arranged to provide these whenever possible in non-working hours.

1944-03-03

Due to rising sand and bad weather warning, the flight to LUXOR was cancelled. Activity was confined to local flying during the morning but the weather worsened and all flying was cancelled in the afternoon. One pilot returning from LUXOR was unable to land here and did so at ABU SUEIR.

1944-03-04

Two practice photo recce sorties were flown, other Pilots taking part in local formation flying. Air tests were made on 3 aircraft after inspection. No Intelligence lectures were given this week, due to the absence of Pilots at LUXOR and the reorganisation of the Squadron into 3 Flights. F/L KALITA and F/O KIRKPATRICK departed on 3 weeks attachment to No. 13 INTELLIGENCE COURSE at CAIRO.

1944-03-05

Three Pilots returned from LUXOR. This day was spent as usual Sunday in relaxation.

1944-03-06

Practice medium-level photo recce was carried out by “A” Flight. One Hurricane IIB was sent to Maintenance Unit at HELWAN for major inspection. Formation flying and practice ground attacks carried out by the remainder of “A” Flight. “B” Flight also flew practice photo recce and combat flights. F/O PIASKOWSKI returned from PALESTINE by Hurricane. The weather which improved on Saturday remained sunny but windy. This being a full moon period, there was Night Flying Practice at ABU SUEIR, six Pilots taking part from 1705-2005 hours.

1944-03-07

The day was spent in carrying out normal flying practice, 11 aircraft in formation flying, 3 photo recce, 7 in low navigation below 200 feet, 2 in ground attacks and various flights. A lecture on MEWIS was given by the Intelligence Officer in the afternoon. 3 aircraft were prepared for night flying at ABU SUEIR which took place from 1730-2030 hours. 6 night flying sorties were successfully carried out.

1944-03-08

Practice in High Level Recce, Photo Recce and Formation Flying were carried out, also Ground Attacks by one Spitfire. Aircraft tests were also made and the night flying aircraft returned from ABU SUEIR. Three more aircraft were tested in preparation for night flying and 6 sorties were undertaken successfully. The Intelligence Officer journeyed to CAIRO to attend Intelligence Lectures given at No. 13 COURSE, on Bomber Intelligence and Direct Air Support.

1944-03-09

General flying practice was carried out during the day, 8 sorties on fomration flying, 10 on photo recce, and other Pilots pracitsed ground attack, low navigation and combat.

1944-03-10

A practice recce was carried out in tank identification with the 2nd POLISH ARMOURED BRIGADE. More sorties were flown for the photo recce competition, formation flying, aircraft tests and ground attacks were executed. One Pilot dropped a message at POLISH ARMY HEADQUARTERS. A lecture was given by the Squadron Signals Officer on German RDF. The weather during the week has been fine and warm.

1944-03-11

9 aircraft took part in formation flying. Tests were carried out on 7 aircraft. Low navigation, aerobatics, photo recce, etc., were practised throughout the day. F/O PIASKOWSKI went to AQIR by Hurricane on practice long-range navigation. Being Saturday, the afternoon was spent in Physical Training and games.

1944-03-12

The usual Sunday of relaxation was marred by a violent khamseen which raged all day and made life under canvas most uncomfortable.

1944-03-13

A talk on MEWIS was given to all Pilots by the Intelligence Officers – the organisation of the Jugo-Slav Partisans being dealt with in Polish on information contained in MEWIS. Today was the first visit of some 40 POLISH ARMY Officers who who were given a lecture by F/L BEREZECKI on the organisation of the ROYAL AIR FORCE and the duties of the Squadron. These officers speak no English. A different party will each day this week visit the Squadron. Similar instruction is also being given for a period to Polish Soldiers who will be transferred to United Kingdom to join the POLISH AIR FORCE. F/O PIASKOWSKI returned from AQIR. 5 practise low navigation sorties were flown and 7 sorties for camera-gun practice combats. F/O CZARNECKI force-landed 2 miles S of QASSASIN RAILWAY STATION in Hurricane IIB BM974, due to internal coolant leak. The Pilot was uninjured, the aircraft was Cat. 2. The weather now cloudy and windy.

1944-03-14

The Commanding Officer, S/L WIELOCHOWSKI, returned from Leave in Syria last night. 4 high navigation sorties were flown at 35,000 feet and 3 sorties for photo competition. There was also formation and low navigation flying practise. A Polish Officers Conference was held in the Officers! Mess. The usual daily visiting party of Polish Army Officers and OR!s also received lectures and were shown round the Squadron.

1944-03-15

12 Pilots took part in formation flying. 2 sorties were flown for photo recce competition. 6 other Pilots pracitsed high and low navigation and ground attacks. F/L BEREZECKI went to hospital with acute bronchitis. The weather today was fine and cloudless with moderate wind.

1944-03-16

An Aircraft Recognition Lecture was given by the Intelligence Officer, followed by a test, “A” Flight went to ISMAILIA for organized bathing. Nine 3-ton vehicles were today allocated to No. 74 Squadron by AIR HEADQUARTERS, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. 2 sorties flown for photo recce competition, 6 for aircraft tests. One pilot also flew to HELIOPOLIS to fetch the Squadron!s new War Establishment from HEADQUARTERS, RAF, MIDDLE EAST. 6 Pilots took part in cross-country flights, and 1 Pilot practised low navigation. The weather was warm, cloudless and calm.

1944-03-17

A meeting of Officers i/c Section was called by the Commanding Officer at 1130 hours, in order to prepare the Squadron to move on an operational basis when called upon to do so. 2 Pilots practised high level recce flying, 5 flew sorties for photo recce competition, 4 practised formation flying and combat. 11 Pilots took part in low navigation practice. 30 men from the POLISH ARMY RESERVE relieved the same number of men as permanent airfield guard. The weather continued to be fine.

1944-03-18

Officers i/c Section have been since yesterday!s meeting compiling the information required for an operational move. During the afternoon another meeting was held for the discussion andco-ordination of the whole Squadron!s transport. The findings of this meeting were that notwithstanding the reduction of each Section!s equipment to a minimum, Mechanical Transport requirements were short of 4 3-ton lorries. There are however 3 Officers and several OR!s in excess of Establishment. The day!s flying involved only 12 sorties Hurricanes IIB and one Spitfire sortie. One Flight went to ISMAILIA in the afternoon for organised bathing and sailing.

1944-03-19

This day, Sunday, was spent on relaxation. Some 10 Officers went to ISMAILIA for organised outing. Sailing, swimming and tennis were indulged in but unfortunately the weather was cold and cloudy. AIR COMMODORE RAYSKI arrived to spend a week with the Squadron. In the evening, after dark, a most unfortunate accident occurred. CORPORAL HAWRYSKOW was run over by a car on leaving Shafto!s Cinema and seriously injured.

1944-03-20

In the morning an Aircraft Recognition lecture followed by a test was given by the Intelligence Officer. During the morning a total of 12 Spitfires VB with which the Squadron is being equipped arrived and 8 Hurricanes IIB were returned to MAINTENANCE UNIT in the afternoon. 2 sorties were flown for photo recce. 3 Pilots practised formation flying. A Security Lecture was given by the Commanding Officer. It was with great regret that the Squadron learned today that CORPORAL HAWRYSKOW died from the injuries sustained on the 19th March.

1944-03-21

3 navigational sorties were flown. Aerial combat was also practised. F/L STONEHAM departed on posting to another Unit, a farewell party having been held the previous evening.

1944-03-22

Test flights were carried out on 4 of the new Spitfires. 8 sorties were flown on low navigation and formation flying. Ground engine tests were also made on the new aircraft. During the day a party of 200 PILOTS ATS visited the Squadron and toured the various Sections under the guidance of F/L MOSZYNSKI and F/L BEREZECKI.

1944-03-23

1 photo recce sortie was flown at 10,000 feet and 2 other Pilots practised low flying, and 1 sortie was also flown for a fuel endurance test. The funeral of CORPORAL HAWRYSKOW took place today at the MILITARY CEMETERY, TEL-EL-KEBIR.

1944-03-24

High navigation flying was practised by 3 Pilots, another 3 took part in aerobatic practise. Air combat was also practised by 2 Pilots, another 10 carrying out low navigation and formation flying. The Commanding Officer held conference on Security.

1944-03-25

4 photo recce sorties were flown. 9 aircraft took part in formation flying, 2 in aerobatic practise and 1 in low navigation. Organised sports took place throughout the afternoon.

1944-03-26

A further 2 Spitfires VC fitted with mountings for 8” oblique cameras arrived for the Squadron, and the loan of 1 Magister which will be used for Communication purposes. A Pilots! outing to ISMAILIA took place for yachting and swimming. The weather was extremely warm but the afternoon was marred by the start of khamseen.

1944-03-27

1 photo recce sortie was flown, and a ground test carried out on 1 engine. The Commanding Officer held a meeting of all Officers i/c Sections. After a lull in the morning the khamseen increased considerably and by 1130 hours it was necessary to cancel all flying.

1944-03-28

The bad weather continued, making flying impossible, and only work taking place inside Sections could progress.

1944-03-29

Air Commodore Rayski arrived on a visit to the Squadron. The weather had not improved and no flying was possible throughout the day.

1944-03-30

Test flights were made on seven aircraft and ground engine tests on another three. Two pilots flew practice navigational flights to ISMAILIA and back. The weather had much improved, being sunny with little cloud but cold wind.

1944-03-31

A talk on M.E.W.I.S. was given to all pilots by the Intelligence Officer. Tests flights were made on three aircraft and ground engine tests on another six. Six navigational sorties flown. Four Hurricanes transferred to 74 O.T.U. and another two to 158 M.U. F/O KIRKPATRICK departed on posting to another Unit.

The month has passed very quietly. Training flying being the chief item. Morale has been good but all ranks have shown the strain of waiting for active operations. In consequence, the order to prepare for the more led to general [Illegible] in [Illegible] and Sections became active, preparation.

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