1 stycznia 1945 r. - plut. Stanisław Breyner (308 Dywizjon)

PERSONNEL COMBAT REPORTS.

308 & 317 SQUADRONS. /POLISH/.

A. 1.1.45

B. 308 & 317 Squadrons.

C. Spitfire IX. L..

D. 08-27/09-24 - 10-20/10-40.

E. Between approximately 09-40 and 10-20 Hrs.

F. LOKEREN and GHENT area.

G. 0 - 2,000 Feet.

H. 1,500 - 6,000 Feet.

I. Two Spitfire IX L & two Pilots killed in Air Combat, 18 Spitfire IX. L., destroyed and 5 damaged on the ground.

J. In Air Combat: 20 F.W.190's destroyed, 1 F.W.190's probably destroyed and 4 F.W.190's damaged.

K. Between 08-27 and 09-24 Hrs on January 1st, 1945, 31 A/C of 131 /P/ Wing took off on Operations, 308 Squadron/ 12 A/C/ and 317 Squadron/ 11 A/C/ on Bombing Mission, 302 Squadron/8 A/C/ in two Sections of 4 A/C on Armed Recce. During their absence at approximately 09-30 Hrs, 30 - 50 F.W.190's attacked this Airfield /B.61/ with Cannon & M/G's and probably small anti-personnel bombs. The attack came in at Oft. from 360°, later developing into an "All Direction" straffing. 18 Spitfire IX.L, were destroyed and 5 damaged, as well as some A/C belonging to 85 Group Communication Squadron and some A/C from U.S.A.A.F and Bomber Command, these A/C being on the ground. At that time our A/C had completed their Mission and were returning to base. The first indication they had of anything wrong, was when they spotted an A.A. Barrage over one of our Convoys in the West Schelde, at the same time the first E/A were seen by our Pilots in the LOKEREN area, flying East. They were followed and attacked. F/Lt. OLSZEWSKI, who was leading 308 Squadron, first spotted smoke over our Airfield from the LOKEREN area and warned all Pilots over the R/T of the attack by E/A on B.61. Other Pilots of ours, being short of fuel, left the Squadron formation and were returning singly, arriving over base between 1,000 and 6,000 ft from approximately 09-40 Hrs onwards. They immediately attacked the E/A, at the same time calling the rest of our Pilots ober the R/T and also warning them of what was happening. A general fight then commenced in the vicinity of our Airfield, our A/C always having a height superiority and taking the E/A completely by suprise. 7 of our A/C force landed on other Airfields and in the Country due to petrol shortage but all Pilots are O.K. Our losses in the Air Combat were only two Pilots and A/C which were shot down in the general scramble by the E/A. Following are the Personal Stories from the Pilots of 308 and 317 Squadrons, who took part in this Combat:-

 

SGT. BREYNER, S. /POLISH/ 308 SQUADRON:- On my way back to base, I saw what appeared to me, 2 E/A flying in close formation, in the LOKEREN area. I broke formation with my Squadron and informed the Leader over the R/T of that fact. We were approximately 4,000 ft height. I dived after the two A/C which were flying low and into the Sun. Due to this fact, it was difficult for me to identify them. I closed in to about 100 yards range before I recognised them as two F.W.190's. Their height was about 200 ft. I was jsu going to fire when the two E/A apparently noticed me. They both pulled up very sharply, then rolled to their backs and dived. One F.W.190 crashed into a building and the other in to the ground before they could pull out of their dive. It appears to me that both E/A stalled and went into a spin due to the sharp pulling up. I myself had to force land shortly afterwards due/to petrol shortage.

I claim: 2 F.W.190's destroyed.

Camera & Gunsight not used.

No ammo expended.

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