The Battle of Britain

Battle of Britain Campaign Diary

No 303 (Polish) Squadron Diary - September 1940

Each RAF squadron compiles a daily diary of events known as the RAF Form 540. These documents give a facinating insight into the highs (and lows) of squadron life from the very earliest days of the Royal Air Force. In conjunction with these, squadrons also complete the RAF Form 541 which details individual operations carried out.


WELLINGORE	1st Oct	The nucleus of No 303 (Polish) Squadron was formed from elements of No 1 Warsaw Squadron, commanded by Major Zdzislaw Krasnodebski, which had escaped after fighting in Poland and France and collected at Blackpool. Squadron Leader RG Kellett and Flight Lieutenant JA Kent, AFC, with a skeleton British staff, had been preparing for their arrival during the previous fortnight. Thirteen Polish officers, eight NCO pilots and 135 Polish other ranks arrived on the 2nd August. The following is a list of the British and Polish officers and of the Polish NCO pilots : RAF: Squadron Leader RG Kellett, Officer Commanding Squadron, Flight Lieutenant JA Kent, AFC, 'A' Flight, Pilot Officer EHL Hadwen, Acting Adjutant, Pilot Officer J Walters, Interpreter. Polish: Major Z Krasnodebski, Officer Commanding Squadron, Captain W Zyborski, Adjutant, Capt J Giejsztowt, Signals, Captain Opulski, 'B' Flight Commander, Flying Officer Wiorkiewicz, Engineer. F/O W Januszewicz, F/O Z Henneburg, P/O J Zumbach, P/O M Feric, Sgt S Karubin, Sgt E Szaposznikow, Sgt Wunche, Sgt S Wojtowicz, Sgt J Frantiszek, Sgt K Krawczynski, Sgt M Belc, Sgt Gallus, F/O Paszkiewicz, F/O Lapkowski, P/O Daszewski, P/O Lokuciewski.

	3rd Aug	Flying training commenced immediately, each pilot being taken on the link trainer and for 1 to 1½ hours in the Miles Master. Certain pilots went on the R/T course at Uxbridge. English lessons were arranged.

	4th Aug	Flight Lieutenant E Forbes arrived to take command of 'B' Flight. Training continued as above, with some solo flights in Hurricanes.

	5th Aug	Training continued as above.

	6th Aug	As above.

	7th Aug	Training continued, dual now being finished.

	8th Aug	Training continued. Sgt Belc landed with undercarriage down. Damage Cat 2. He was unhurt. He was taken off flying. Sgt Franciszek crashed with undercarriage up and damaged airscrew and aircraft. He was unhurt and the damage Cat 2.

	9th Aug	Training continued, F/O L Paszkiewicz damaged his airscrew in a taxying accident. He was unhurt and the aircraft Cat 1. Captain Opulski reported sick.

	10th Aug	Training continued. 'A' Flight began R/T practise in the air. Pilot Officer DA Upton arrived and took over duties of Adjutant.

	11th Aug	Training continued.

	12th Aug	Training continued. Formation flying began. Sgt Gallus crash-landed with undercarriage up and was taken off flying.

	13th Aug	Formation flying continued. Sgt Wojciechowski arrived and went to 'B' Flight.

Date Last Updated : Wednesday, February 16, 2005 0:27 AM

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