Flying Carp

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2 [ex 22] Eskadra Bombowa Lekka.

Under the command of Capt. K. Słowiński the Eskadra departed Kraków for Radom (Sadków) on the 27th August and then from there on 31st August to Wsola and finally, in the afternoon of 1st September to Kamień near Białobrzegi.

On 3rd September all aircraft of the eskadra, carrying eight 50 Kg bombs, took part in the raid against German armoured troops in the Radomsko-Pławno-Gidle area. The attack was executed in sections at ten minute intervals. Over the target they were attacked by eleven Bf 109s. Three of their aircraft failed to return shot down by German fighters and AAA. The Karaś of the CO was hit by flak, lost its engine and crashed killing him and his crew, Walkow and Korytowski. Jeleń, Żupnik, and Kapturkiewicz were also killed when their aircraft was downed. Of the third Karaś, Jurcewicz and Klimek were killed whilst the gunner, Biskup, was wounded and taken prisoner.

In the afternoon a second mission, with two sections of three aircraft, was flown led by the new CO Lt Bolesław Nowicki. After the attack they were engaged by six Bf 109Es of I/JG 76, Uffz Willi Lohrer claiming the aircraft of Hławiczka, Kalinowski and Ustupski. The wounded pilot landed the burning aircraft west of Radomsko saving the observer as well, who was also wounded. The Karaś of Marek, Grandys, and Gaocń was badly damaged by ground fire fatally wounding the observer. Marek was slightly wounded along with the gunner but managed to fly back to base only to crash on the landing approach in woods at the edge of the field. The aircraft burst into flames and the ground crew risked their lives to extract the two wounded airmen from the wreckage.

On the 4th September two reconnaissance sorties were flown. The targets were bombed once located. On 5th September only one sorties was flown.

6th September the Eskadra moved first to Podlodów and then to Marianów-Wojcieszków. The following day the five remaining Karaśes, captained by Nowicki, Wójcik, Smolik, Groyecki and Wodzicki, of the Eskadra and four from the 1st Eskadra attacked armoured columns in the Piotrków, Ozorków, and Łęczyca area. All returned safely after being attacked by German fighters. One aircraft had the exhaust manifold holed, which was replaced with one obtained from Dęblin stores.

On 8th September the Co Nowicki led four aircraft to drop bombs on armoured vehicles in the Sokolów Podlaski-Ceranów area. A Do 17 was seen which withdrew.

On 9th September reconnaissance sorties were flown to ascertain what direction the German armoured troops that threatened Warsaw were moving. The mission was performed by Kosturkiewicz, Wodzicki and Glücklich, and, Fergua, Wójcik, and Podgóski. The latter evaded an attacking German fighter by skilful manoeuvring and accurate fire from the gunner.

On 10th September the Eskadra handed its five serviceable Karaśes to VI Dyon of the Bomber Brigade.On 17th September personnel evacuated to Rumania.

Between 1st and 10th September they flew 38 combat sorties dropping 12,000 Kg of bombs. Losses were ten killed, six wounded with one a PoW, and five aircraft of the original ten lost.

55 Samodzielna Eskadra Bombowa

Commanded by Capt. Józef Skibiński, the Eskadra left Lida on 31st August for Marynin, 3 Km south-east of Radzyń Podlaski.

Operation commenced 3rd September when it was ordered to reconnoitre and bomb the German armoured columns at Radomsko. Borys, Podgrodzki, and Leśniewski took off at 7.30 to carry out a reconnaissance but were attacked over Radomsko by four Bf 109Ds of Stab. I/ZG 2. They were shot down by the CO of the German unit Hptm. Johannes Gentzen. The pilot bailed out suffering burns and became a PoW. When radio communication with the Karaś broke off at 10.00 the Eskadra's CO ordered the first section to take off. They located an armoured column south of Radomsko which they bombed successfully whilst under attack from Bf 109s of I/ZG 2. After landing at Marynin the next section of three Karaśes took off. Finding the target, they dived from 1,000 m dropping their bombs at 500 m with some accuracy. They, too, came under attack of I/ZG 2 Bf 109s. The aircraft of Borzęcki, Frąclowiak and Buziuk was set on fire, crashing into the German column with the loss of all the crew. Lt Reinhold Mesner was the probable culprit. The other two Karaś returned to the airfield at tree-top height. The third section then left to bomb the same column successfully despite the heavy flak. All returned to their base. Losses to the German column were estimated at 30 per cent and it was halted for almost two days.

Sorties recommenced after a day's break. On 5th September one Karaś made a reconnaissance of the Vistula River between Płock and Grudziądz. The CO bombed a motorised column at Biały Dwór.

On 6th September the Eskadra flew reconnaissance sorties south of Kielce and in the Ciechanów-Płock area. The next day, just before noon, two crews made a reconnaissance in the Łódż area. Around 15.00 Zarzecki, Pytlakowski, and Iwaniuk reconnoitred the same area after which the observer dropped a report on a pre-arranged spot in Warsaw. Later the aircraft was intercepted and shot down by German fighters at Grabie Nowe 25 Km north-east of Warsaw. All the crew were killed.

On 8th September the Eskadra made a successful attack on an armoured column that had been previously located at Ostrów Mazowiecka. They returned safely to the airfield having strafed a column of horse-drawn artillery on the way back. Whilst landing the Karaś of Ciołek was damaged in an attack by a He 111 that was circling the airfield. This in turn was shot down with a machine gun manned by Cadet Off Siwiec. All the crew were captured after it force-landed.

The morning of 10th September the Eskadra moved Marianów near Łuków. This resulted in two losses.The CO, Skibińki with Wasik and Biały, spun on the landing approach. All were killed in the crash. Ten minutes later Okrój, Szpak, and Pacut overran on landing and crashed into trees. The crew were slightly injured and Capt Szpak became the new CO.

On 11th September all serviceable aircraft were ordered to be handed to 31 Eskadra. In the afternoon the aircraft departed, led by a Karaś crew from 31 Eskadra, for Cieszanów. By the time they arrived, 31 Eskadra had moved and so all the aircraft flew to Lwów where two of the aircraft crashed on landing on the bomb-damaged runway. The following day Waroński, a pilot from 31 Eskadra, took over one of the machines and together with another machine flown by a 55 Eskadra pilot, took off in the evening for Batiatycze where 31 Eskadra were based. Arriving after dark, the pilots failed to find the airfield and returned. On landing the Karaś being flown by the 55 Eskadra crew crashed in a bomb crater.

All remaining Eskadra personnel were evacuated to Rumania. Forty combat sorties had been flown dropping 14,000 Kg of bombs. Eleven airmen were killed and nine aircraft destroyed, the tenth taken over by 31 Eskadra

 

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4 [ex 64] Eskadra Bombowa Lekka.

Commanded by Capt Pronaszko the Eskadra left Lwów Sniłów moving to Nosów near Biała Podlaska on 31st August. No sorties were flown on 1st September. On the morning 2nd September all ten Karaś of the Eskadra together with eight from 5 Eskadra took off at 11.00 for a bombing raid against a motorised column of the 1st Panzer Division on the Częstochowa-Kłobuck road; each aircraft loaded with 600 Kg bombs. The attack was led by the Eskadra's tactical officer Cpt Jaklewicz. The column was bombed from 500-800 m followed by low level strafing. This resulted in heavy losses from AAA fire. The Karaś of Zołoteńko, Szumełda and Rozmus was shot down over the column and the injured crew taken prisoner. In anther aircraft Lt. Brzeski was fatally wounded. After it force-landed it came under fire wounding the pilot and gunner. They managed to escape and rejoin the Eskadra later. Another two aircraft were hit by ground fire and crashed at Radomsko and two more destroyed in landing accidents on their return. The crew of Lt Ząbik, whose aircraft had been destroyed, made their way to Warsaw where they collected a replacement aircraft and rejoined the Eskadra on the 4th.

On 3rd September a reconnaissance of the Breslau (Wrocław) area was made by Latawiec, Wieczorek and Juk and then in the afternoon the Eskadra move airfields to Ząbków near Sokołów Podlaski.

On the morning 5th September two reconnaissance sorties were flown. In the afternoon a three aircraft section attacked a motorised column on the Pułtusk-Ciechanów road. The Karaś of Capt. Jaklewicz was damaged by flak so an attempt to land at Warsaw-Okęcie was made. The colours of the day were fired but Polish AAA fired on them so the pilot Baranowski flew on to Dęblin. Landing on the last vestiges of fuel, the aircraft hit a bomb crater and was destroyed.

6th September saw no sorties flown. The next day the Eskadra attacked a German column approaching the river Narew at Różan. Kondras, the gunner of Capt Jaklewicz's aircraft claimed a Bf 109 shot down.

On 8th September Olt Schneider of 3/JG 21 shot down the Karaś of Bilecki, Ząbik, and Stronczak. The gunner was killed, the other two though wounded and burnt bailed out safely.

On the morning 9th September the unoit moved again to another airfield Franpol 25 Km north-east of Biała Podlaska. The crews of Zawadzki and Galewicz flew a reconnaissance mission and bombed an armoured column near Wyszków. before landing at the new base.

After another day's break the Eskadra resumed operations on 11th September with more reconnaissance sorties. Four Karaśes were transferred from 42 Eskadra and the unit moved airfields again, first to Wielick and then to Chołopecz near Włodzimierz Wołyński.

On 13th September the crew of Salwierz, Teleżyński, and Sęp were killed when two Karaśes collided soon after takeoff in rain and mist.

On 14th September eight Karaśes attacked a German column in the area of Rawa Ruska-Sokal. After completion of the mission the aircraft were to land at a new airfield at Hutniki near Brody. As the aircraft approached Brody close to landing with little fuel reserves they were attacked by eight Bf 109s from I/ZG 2. Two of the Karaśes were badly damaged and their pilots, Latawiec and Czejgis were wounded. They were able to land but one aircraft crashed. One Bf 109 was claimed shot down. The Germans, having located the airfield, returned about 16.15. The dispersed Karaśes of the 4th and 5th Eskadras were punctured by exploding bombs and covered with earth but did not catch fire as their fuel tanks were empty. The next morning, at 6.00, another German raid destroyed the VI Dyon Karaśes. Personnel moved south crossing to Rumania on the 18th.



Between 1st and 14th September the 4th Eskadra flew 39 combat sorties dropping 14,000 Kg of bombs. Losses were six killed and eight wounded, three of them Pows. Twenty-one Karaśes were destroyed, the original ten and eleven received from the 1st, 2nd, and 42 Eskadras.

 

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5 [ex 65] Eskadra Bombowa Lekka.

Commanded by Capt. Piotrowski, the Eskadra left Lwów on 31 August for Nosów airfield at Biała Podlaska. First combat sorties were flown on the morning 2nd September. Nowakowski, Stangret and Dzięgiel undertook a reconnaissance locating a 10 Km motorised column on the Kłobuck-Częstochowa road. The observer reported the target by radio to the CO before the crew bombed the column immobilising two tank which partly jammed the road. Meanwhile eighteen Karaśes, including eight from 5 Eskadra, in three sections took off. On there way to the target they came under fire from Polish AAA over Ułężem and Częstochowa. Nowacki was killed in the aircraft flown by Kulesza. The aircraft of Zalejko had to land at Radom with a perforated fuel tank. The remaining aircraft went on to attack the target. The CO Piotrowski's aircraft was hit and overturned in a dead-stick landing in no-mans land. The injured crew were saved by Polish infantry. The aircraft flown by Szablowski and Siciński was damaged and force-laned behind Polish lines but was destroyed by fire. Leszek's hand was shot through but he managed to land at Radom. Of the eight aircraft that set out only three returned safely to their airfield.

On 3rd Sept they moved to Ząbków near Sokołów Podlaski. No sorties were flown the next day and only one reconnaissance on the 5th. During a night reconnaissance aong the river Vistula, before dawn on 7th September, the Karaś of Nowakowski,Stanget and Sawicki was shot down over Płock by Polish AAA. Only the pilot survived after bailing out. Later the whole Eskadra attacked German troops at Różan on the river Narew.

On 9th September they moved to Franopol and again on 11th September to Falenicze near Włodzimierz Wołyński. Three aircraft and their crews from 42 Eskadra six aircraft from II Dyon (1 and 2 Eskadras) joined the unit. Nearly all of the reinforcements were damaged.

On 12th September two reconnaissance sorties were flown with the loss of one aircraft, the crew returning to the unit on foot.

On the 14th September the unit moved to Hutniki where they lost all their aircraft in the same German raids that destroyed 4 Eskadra's aircraft. On 18th September the personnel evacuated to Romania.

Between 1st and 14th September they flew 32 combat sorties dropping 11,000 Kg of bombs. Losses were three killed and seven wounded. Nineteen Karaśes were destroyed, the original ten and nine received from the 1st, 2nd, and 42 Eskadras.

 

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24 Eskadra Rozpoznawcza Army Kraków

Commanded by Capt. Woja, the Eskadra moved from Kraków-Rakowice to Klimontów, 22 Km north-east of Kraków, on 31st August.

On 1st September reconnaissance was carried out on the Army's flanks and southern section of the front. The next day movements of the enemy units located were watched. At midday six aircraft took off escorted by P.11c fighters from 122 Eskadra Myśliwska, to bomb a motorised column on the Ligota-Częsochowa road. Just after take-off one Karaś force-landed due to mechanical failure.

On 3rd September six aircraft, each carrying six 100 Kg and two 50 Kg bombs, attacked an armoured column in the mountains area of Rabka-Podwilk They bombed from 600-800 m managing direct hits on some of the vehicles. The column was then strafed. The Karaś of Rudy, Prędecki and Widuch was shot down by AAA with only the pilot surviving to become a PoW after he bailed out. In the afternoon several more reconnaissance sorties were flown before the unit moved with nine Karaśes to Ułęz. The unit no longer operated with Army Kraków and transferred to the reserve of the Naczelny Dowódca Lotnictwa.

No flights were made on the 4th September and only two short reconnaissance sorties were undertaken the next day. On 6th September the unit moved airfields again to Wronów flying three reconnaissance sorties, in the Łódż area, from there on the 7th September.

On 8th September the eskadra was allocated to the Army Lublin, then being formed. Two Karaśes were brought from Krzywda airfield near Luków where they had been stored without crews. (Some sources say they were abandoned by an unkown training unit because of lack of fuel.) Reconnaissance continued along the Łódż-Łowicz-Łęczyna-Kutno-Sochaczew and Radom-Rawa Mazowieecka lines. On 9th September the unit flew one reconnaissance sortie and moved to Łuczczów near Lublin.

On the evening 10th September the unit was ordered to reconnoitre German trrops on the right bank of the Vistula between Sandomierz and Puławy, plus other units regrouping on the southern flank of Army Poznań. (On 9th September this Army commenced the greatest battle of the campaign.) As orders were delivered late in the evening they were not carried out until the following day, 11th September. Two aircraft carried out reconnaissance missions along the Vistula. On 12th September combat sorties were flown for the Naczelny Dowódca Lotnictwa and Commander of Army Lublin. The targets included fords across the Vistula and Bug, as well as Warsaw suburbs. In the evening the Eskadra moved to Strzyżów 15 Km north of Hrubieszów with the Kareś of Jeżewski crashing in the dark leaving the crew uninjured. That of Bidziński was lost in a forced-landing the next day, after a reconnaissance of the Warsaw foreland. Two other crews flew reconnaissance sorties, one of them Miarczyński in the Kutno-Łęczyca-Łowicz area for Army Poznań. Both returned unharmed.

On the 14th September the crews of Pułczyński, Wójcicki, and Ziółkowski flew reconnaissance sorties after which the unit moved to Kniahinin 15 Km west of Młynów in the Wołyń region. One Karaś was seriously damaged whilst landing.

On the morning 15th September, Nowierski, Miarczyński, and Zborowski took off from Kniahinin to deliver mail from the Polish C-in-C Marshall Rydz-Śmigły to General Rómmel, commanding the Warsaw Army in the besieged city. It took less than two hours to travel the 360 Km, mostly over enemy territory, to land under fire at Warsaw-Mokotów as Warsaw-Okęcie was in German hands. After delivering the mail and refuelling, Lt. Miarczyński ordered an immediate takeoff. The return trip was uneventful apart from the German shelling on takeoff.

At dawn on 16th September they made an emergency move to Użyniec 10 Km east of Młynów, flying reconnaissance sorties in the Chełm-Zamość area.
The following day Poland was invaded by Soviet Russia. Two reconnaissance sorties were flown. That of Nowierski,Miarczński, and Myrcik investigated the Równe-Korzec and Równe-Ostróg roads seeing the Red Army columns invading from the east. In the afternoon orders were received to move to Gwożdziec Stary near Horodenka. Three evacuated Łoś were stored at Użyniec which the unit's tactical officer, Bujalski, ordered destroyed to prevent them falling into enemy hands. Eskadra personnel had not been trained on the type which differed considerably from the Karaś. However, a pilot, Mierniczek, persuaded Bujalski to allow him to ferry a Łoś to the new airfield which he managed to do successfully. After only a few hours at the new airfield the Eskadra was ordered to evacuate to Rumania. All the unit's aircraft arrived safely at Cernautsi.

Between 1st to 17th September 57 combat sorties were flown dropping 8,000 Kg of bombs. Losses were two killed, two wounded and one PoW. Five Karaśes were lost and four received as replacements. Nine Karaśes and a Łoś were evacuated to Rumania.

 

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31 Eskadra Rozpoznawcza Army Karpaty

Commanded by Capt. Nikonow, the unit left its base at Poznań on August 27 for Lwów. The karaś of Łuczkowski was damaged in a force-landing at Zamość requiring factory repair. On 31st August they received orders to move to Werynia near Mielec 25 Km north of Rzeszów. The airfield was not technically prepared for Eskadra aircraft.

On 1st September two reconnaissance flights were made over Slovakia. The first crew found an active Luftwaffe airfield at Igloo near Bardejov and a column of mounted troops approaching the Polish boarder. The other crew spotted an armoured column 40 Km long in the Orlov-Lubovna area. Moving through narrow valleys it presented an ideal target. The CO ordered all Karaśes to be armed for a raid but this had to be abandoned as the Army HQ did not want to attack the territory of a foreign country. On 2nd September three reconnaissance sorties were flown again over Slovakia but failed to observe any major German activity.

Similar sorties were to be flown on 3rd September. The first Karaś to takeoff in the morning was shot down with the loss of the whole crew by Polish AA at the Mościce chemical plant, Tarnów. A similar fate befell the next aircraft but it was able to return to the airfield. A third spotted a German armoured column on the road from Chabówka-Nowy Targ. Already on Polish territory, the news was transmitted by radio to base and two Karaś sections led by the CO tookoff to attack. They surprised the German cilium whilst it was halted and bombed successfully from 600 m destroying many tanks and trucks in the narrow road. Strong German AA defences shot down the aircraft of Rabiega, Soroko, and Rek. The CO's aircraft had an undercarriage leg shot through causing it to crash on landing.

On 4th September two reconnaissance sorties were flown to the south and the Eskadra moved bases to Rękawek 18 Km north of Rzeszów. Szczepański's damaged aircraft was left behind. On 5th September Kegel, Szajdzicki, and Skorczyk found a motorised column in the area of Rabka-Nowy Targ. Engine failure caused them to have to bail out while returning.

On 6th September two attacks were carried out on the German troops located the day before. Four crews took part in the first attack, bombing from 1,200 m but with no positive results. One aircraft suffered a malfunction on its way back. Forced to land, it was burnt by its crew. Upon their return, the CO ordered a second attack t low level. This produced much better results inflicting significant losses on the Germans. In the evening the Eskadra returned to Werynia.

On 7th September several reconnaissance sorties were flown while RWD 8 liason aircraft searched for a new landing ground. Cieszanów near Rawa Ruska was selected and the unit flew there in the evening. Problems with communications resulted in no flying the next day. Two sorties were flown on 10th September and another by Waroński, Sukiennik, and Starosta on the 11th. Having completed the reconnaissance, they landed at Brześć where the observer made a report before leaving for Małaszewicze to refuel. There, Sukiennnik was ordered to take over four Karaśes of 55 Eskadra. He led them to Cieszanów only to find that the Eskadra had already departed for Batiatycze. Waroński decided to continue to Łwow to obtain information on the current location of the unit. While landing on the bomb cratered airfield the aircraft of Waroński and two of the followers were damaged. Having obtained the required information, the two remaining Karaśes left Łwow for Batiatycze but failed to locate the airfield in dark and so retuned to Łwow. As they were landing Skniłów airfield was bombed by nine German aircraft. Waroński's Karaś landed safely but the other crashed in a bomb crater. The next day Waroński took off at 5.00 for Łwow but the engine cut and the aircraft was wrecked.

The same day at around noon two Karaśes took off from Batiatycze to bomb a motorised column in the Jarosław-Radymno area. Lacking 50 Kg or 100 Kg bombs each was loaded with 24 12.5 Kg bombs. Before the target was reached they were attacked by three Bf 109Ds of I/ZG 2. The aircraft of Korzeniowski, Nowicki, and Pszenny was set on fire and crashed at Czaplaki. All the crew were lost. The second aircraft of Kużniacki, Szczepański and Lis was damaged and returned to base. In the afternoon two Karaśes arrived flown in by Orzechowski and Daczka. These were probably P.23As from Air Base 6 Łwow. The engines were in a poor state and they were unarmed.

During 13th to 15th September no sorties were undertaken and the Eskadra moved to Kozłówka near Brzezany. Operations recommenced 16th September with two reconnaissance sorties for the defence of Łwow. Two more Karaśes were collected from Stanisławów but they lacked equipment and armament and were in need of major repairs.

At 16.15 on 17th September they were ordered to evacuate to Rumania. Before 17.00 three Karaśes left Kozówce for Cernautsi. Waroński's aircraft, collected at Stanisławów was left behind with an engine malfunction. In the evening, using the last remaining fuel, it flew to Stanisławów, and, the next day to Cernautsi.

From 1st to 17th September they flew 48 combat sorties dropping 8,000 Kg of bombs. Losses were six killed and four missing, three taken Pows. The flight began with nine Karaśes, receiving five more. Ten were lost and four evacuated to Romania.

 

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32 Eskadra Rozpoznawcza Army Łódż

Commanded by Capt. Ryszkiewicz,, the ground party left Poznań on the night August 26th. The air party flew on 31st August to the distribution airfield at Lublinek near Łódż and then to Sokolniki near Ozorków.

On the first day of the war, Army Łódż was involved in heavy defensive fighting. At 8.30 Ebenrytter, Nowak, and Tyrakowski were sent to reconnoitre the Army's southern area of operations. At Rosenberg(Olseno)-Kreuzburg(Kluczbork)-Krzepice they discovered a major motorised unit, halted and partly camouflaged in woods. The Karaś was attacked by German fighter cover, probably Bf 109s of I/ZG2 but managed to escape into clouds, the gunner wounded in the leg. The next Karaś was also attacked but escaped. Two more missions were flown keeping watch over the extensive movement of German formations. The next day reconnaissance sorties continued. When returning from the morning sortie, Kruszewski, Kandziora, and Maślankiewicz encountered a Hs 126 which the gunner shot down over Kaczanowice. Two more sorties were flown by the unit later that day.

3rd September brought the units first losses. At 7.30 Kościelny, Dembek, and Tyrakowski took off for a reconnaissance of the Sieradz-Ostrzeszów-Kępno area. They found a motorised column between Kępno and Wieluń and strafed it. In the third attack they were hit by AAA and crashed on fire at the edge of Walichnowy and Prusak village fields. All were killed. Three more sorties were flown later and at 21.00 Ebenrytter, Gębik, and Gębicki flew to Breslau (Wrocław) where they dropped leaflets before returning safely to base.

The 4th September saw a further two losses to flak. One aircraft with a wounded crew made it back to base, the other force-landed in a field piloted by the observer as the pilot had been wounded.

5th September brought heavy losses to the unit. In the morning three Karaśes took off from Skotniki to bomb a German column. As they climbed after take off they were attacked head-on by up to seven Bf 110s of 2/ZG 76. The aircraft Rejak, Bruski, and Nitzke caught fire and crashed at Parzęczew. The observer and gunner were killed instantly, the pilot dying on the way to hospital. That of Westfal, Maliszewski, and Hadyniak was hit but the pilot managed to land at Piaskowice. Only he survived, the gunner killed in the air and the observer dying in hospital. Kruszewski, Kandziora and Dubisz evaded their opponents and continued on to the target. They probably carried an attack but an hour and half later they encountered four Bf 109s of I/JG 77over Wylazłów. The Karaś was speedily shot down. One of the crew bailed out but his parachute caught in the tail and he was dragged down by the blazing aircraft. Victories were credited by the Germans to Oblt. Falcke, Lt Fahlousen and Lt. Uellenbeck. Despited the losses the unit was able to fly three reconnainace sorties later that day.

On 6th September, after flying two reconnaissance sorties, the unit moved to Piastów near Radom and the next day to Wymysłów on the east bank of the Vistula. The Karaś of Godlewski was damaged on landing. On the 8th September the unit moved yet again to Marianów 17 Km south-west of Łuków.

On 9th September Gintrowski, Wojciechowicz, and Bylebył took off heading for Brześć to deliver combat reports to the HQ of the Aviation Commander. At 11.10 they were attacked by Bf 110s of I(Z)/LG 1. All were killed when the aircraft was set on fire and crashed at Dołha near Biała Podlaska. Credit was given to 3 Staffel commander Olt. W. Clausen.

On 10th September serviceable aircraft were handed over to the Brześć Air Base. Personnel were sent to Łuck and from there to Rumania.

From 1st to 10th September the Eskadra flew 28 sorties and shot down one aircraft. Losses were fourteen killed and two wounded. Eight Karaśes were lost, the remaining two handed over at Brześć. It is not known if these were collected by IV Dyon of the Bomber Brigade.

 

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34 Eskadra Rozpoznawcza Army Poznań

Commanded by Capt. Badowski the unit moved from Poznań to Gulczew 6 Km north of Września the morning of 31st August. On 1st September the unit flew reconnaissance sorties, for among others, the 26th Infantry division. Sobczak, Grekowicz-Grochowski, and Strengierski wre the first to take off to assess the situation along the Polish boarder on the south flank of Army Poznań. The crew returned after three hours having found a Motorised column at Ostrzeszów which they strafed. Jankowski, Bonkowski, and Marczuk followed the firat Karaś to reconnoitre the northern section of the front line. Crossing the German boader they identified two active airfields but were driven off by fighters before they were able to take photographs. In the afternoon Badowski, Kosmowski, and Czerny flew a reconnaissance sortie.

On the morning 2nd September, Patocki, Noetzl, and Marczak flew a reconnaissance sortie. Mist forced them to land at Mińsk Mazowiecki. After it lifted they were hit by Polish AA fire as they returned and forced to land again. The next day, after repairs, they flew to Gulczewo. A second Karaś found a motorised column near Ostrzeszów and strafed it. The aircraft was hit several times by German ground fire wounding the observer Michalak in the leg. Zamojski, the pilot, managed to bring the aircraft back to base. Another reconnaissance sortie was flown by Pingot, Górecki, and Wilkowski to assess the situation at the junction of the Poznań and Pomorze Armies. Attacked by a Bf 109, Pingot managed to evade the fighter.

O 3rd September the unit moved to Kazimierz Biskupi near Konin. Four Karaśes flew there directly while the other six carried out reconnaissance along the front line, intending to land at the new airfield afterwards. The Karaś of Sobczak, Grekowicz-Grochowski, and Stengierski was probably hit by German AAA and it crashed during a force-landing hitting a house Cielcza near Jarocin. The observer was killed instantly, the wounded pilot and gunner hospitalised. Another aircraft sent perform the same task failed to return, seriously damaged by ground fire, it too, force landed. They staffed a German column but as they pulled up to avoid a wood they were hit by a machine gun placed at the edge of the wood. The aircraft caught fire and the pilot put it down in a marshy clearing that he spotted at the last moment, overturning. Orlikowski, Sławomirski, and Wiewiórkowski became PoWs. Several other sorties were flown successfully.

On the 4th September, four sorties were flown without loss. Jankowski, Bronkowski and Marczak, enduring strong AAA fire, photographed the airfields at Schniedemuhl (Piła) and Flatow (Złotów).

Five more reconnaissance sorties were flown on the 5th September, the aircraft being attacked twice. Once by Bf 109s and once by a P 11c that mistook the Karaś for a Ju 87.

On 6th September, Zamojski, Michalak, and Śliwińki set off to assess the situation in the Kalisz-Ostrów Wielkopolski area. They were given an escort of six P 11cs from the 132nd Eskadra.

In the afternoon, Pingot, Górecki, and Wilkowski performed a reconnaissance of the Warta-Sieradz-Zduńska Wola area. On their return they were attacked by Bf 109s of I/JG 77. They were shot down by Lt F.Hauck. The tactical officer, Stanisław Martyni described the incident as follows:

"… During the return flight, over Borecznia village near Kolo, at an altitude of over 1,500 m the crew was attacked by 4 Bf 109 aircraft. As a result of the attack by Messerschmitts the Polish aircraft caught fire. Por. Górecki bailed out at an altitude of approx. 1,000 m, but the German pilots opened fire on the airman and shot him in the air. Dead por. Górecki had numerous traces of bullets. The pilot – kpr Pingot – ws probably heavily wounded or killed, as he did not even try to bail out and burnt with his aircraft. The gunner – kpr. Wilkowski – bailed out at an altitude of only 300 m, suffering leg injuries. Being an eyewitness of the German barbarism he returned to the Eskadra…"

In the evening, moving toa new airfield at Krośniewice 15 Km west of Kutno, while landing, the Karaś flown by Weyman, carrying fitter Wilczyński crashed killing them both. The probable cause was a severed control cable.

On 7th September the unit moved again to Lubień south of Włocławek. Three sorties were flown from there. One aircraft was attacked by a section of I/JG 77 Bf 109s over Koło. The pilot was able to escape by skilful manoeuvring and landed at Lubień with numerous bullet holes and the exhaust manifold burnt through.

8th September swa five more reconnaissance sorties and another air combat involving the CO. A single Bf 109 attacked the Karaś of Kosmowski, Badowski, and Czery seriously damaging it. They barely managed to return and the aircraft was sent to the mobile repair park at Kłodawa.

On 9th September a single Karaś escorted by six P 11cs carried out a reconnaissance of Army Poznań's frontier earning a commendation from the Army Commander Gen. Kutrzeba. Two more sorties were flown by other crews reconnoitring German forces in the Skierniewice-Sochaczew and Główno-Łódż-Ozorków-Łęczyca areas for the Operations Group of Gen. Knoll-Kownacki who was preparing a counter-attack at the river Bzura.

From 10th September Army Poznań were engaged in the Battle of Bzura.On 11th September three more reconnaissances were flown. Kosmowski, Michalaak, and Wawrzak failed to return. Their aircraft was damaged by ground fire and crashed during landing at Sobota near Łódż. The crew returned the next day.

Only two reconnaissance sorties were flown on 12th September. It was suspected thet the Germans had located the airfield so the Eskadra moved to Wola Raciborska near Kutno.

On 15th September no sorties were flown because of bad weather. The unit's operational capabilities were now severely limited by problems with equipment and fuel and the encircling German army. Late in the afternoon the unit moved to Brzozów and in the evening to nearby Luszyn. The aircraft, camouflaged in a small wood, were not able to take off as it would betray the airfield to the Germans. One aircraft was hit by a bomb from a Ju 87 dropped against a different target. The bomb failed to explode but grounded the Polish aircraft.

On 16th September at dawn the last two serviceable Karaśes left for Brzozów. There were many Polish troops concentrated there drawing fire from German bombs and artillery. This resulted in the destruction one Karaś and damage to another. In the evening the Co was ordered to assemble the unit's personnel and try to break through to Warsaw. Equipment that could not be taken was destroyed. On 20th September a significant number of personnel reached Warsaw, taking part in the defence of the city.

In the September Campaign they few 48 combat sorties. Losses were four airmen and one fitter killed, two seriously wounded and three PoWs. All ten of its Karaśes were lost.

 

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41 Eskadra Rozpoznawcza Army Modlin

Commanded by Capt. Chrzanowski, the unit was ready to leave on the 31st August but its departure was delay until 1st September by bad weather. At 7.00 eight Karaśes left for Warsaw, two left behind undergoing repairs. From Warsaw they moved to Zdunów near Zakroczym.

On 2nd September Kuzian, Malinowski, and Rybacki dropped bombs on the Niedenburg (Nidzica) railway station and strafed a German artillery battery. Two similar sorties were flown by other crews across the German boarder.

On 3rd September five reconnaissance sorties were flown.

On 4th September, Głydziak, Strejmik and Tęgowski took off to perform a reconnaissance deep behind German lines. They reached the area of Nidzica-Wielbark-Szczytno-Chorzele-Przasnysz. At 8.30 orders were received to bomb German troops on the front line near Ciechanów. The airfield was waterlogged so aircraft could only carry four 50 Kg or sixteen 12 Kg bombs. Still one aircraft crashed on take off and another failed to lift off, leaving four aircraft to complete the mission. On return, two more aircraft crashed on landing, one of them had been seriously damaged by AAA. Zdunowo was already being threatened by advancing German troops so five Karaśes left for Warsaw leaving behind three damaged that were burnt. Two supplementary Karaś Bs were expected from the Warsaw base but did not arrive. 41 Eskadra were asked to send crews to Warsaw-Okęcie where eight Bulgarian P.43As (export version of the P 23) were ready for delivery, (At the outbreak of war it was decided to erect the aircraft, already crated for shipment.) with ninth leaving the assembly line. The following morning, just as the 41 Eskadra crews reached Okęcie to collect the aircraft, the Luftwaffe began a heavy attack on the factory severely damaging it and destroying three P.43As prepared for takeoff. Malinowski of 41 Eskadra learned from one of the technicians that a batch five P 43As previously assembled were located at Bielany. This proved to be the case and they were taken as reinforcements for the Eskadra. (Some sources say 41 Eskadra received two P.43As.) On the morning of the same day the Eskadra's Karaśes were moved to Zielonka near Warsaw and one reconnaissance sortie flown.

On 6th September a number of sorties were flown to ascertain the situation north of Warsaw. One aircraft crashed on its return due to brake failure. Early in the afternoon the P.43A arrived from Bielany. Radwański, Ośmiałowski and Tabaczyński flew the last reconnaissance of the day. At 17.15 they found a German observation balloon at Szla, 14 Km north-east of Przasnysz, destroying it despite strong AAA fire.

At 8.10 on 7th September, Gusowski, Malinowski and Majewski took off for the first reconnaissance. The fule tank was damaged by German AAA and they crashed at Mariaów. The crew were not injured and soon returned to their base. Carrying out a Reconnaissance in the area of Różan-Wyszków, Janicki, Strejmik, and Szymański were shot down at Modzele 10 Km north-east of Różan. All died. Bojakowski, Pokorniewski, and Ostrowski on reconnaissance of the Mława-Przasnysz-Pułtusk area were attacked by two Messerschmitts, probably from II/ZG 1. They defended themselves effectively and claimed one enemy aircraft shot down. In the afternoon Zielonka was strafed by German aircraft. There were no losses but the CO decided to move to Krzesko 22 Km south of Siedlce. He did this without permission of the Army HQ. The remaining serviceable aircraft, two Karaśes and two P 43s flew there on the morning of 8th September. This unilateral move upset Col Prauss, the Army Aviation commander who then ordered the unit to return to Zielonka. Kuzian, Malinowski, and Ostrowski returned in the afternoon with a P.43, flying a reconnaissance later the same day.

A Karaś and P.43 arrived back at Zielonka the next day. The remaining Karaś crahed taking off from Krzesko. The propeller broke off and the engine broke its mountings. The pilot had great difficulty in bringing the striken aircraft back to the ground. Leszkiewicz, Ośmiałowski and Talkowski were all injured. Two reconnaissance sorties were flown from Zielonka. The second crew force-landed around 21.00 near Piaseczno because of the growing darkness. At 3.00 the next morning they took off for Zielonka. Having lost his bearings and running low on fuel the pilot was forced to land at Kobyła, writing off the aircraft. The unit had now only two P.43s left. Orders were received to move the unit to Stara Wieś 10 Km south of Mińsk Mazowiecki. Aircraft left individually. Oleksiński, Kardasz and Majewski were all killed when they were shot down by Gefr A. Warrelmann of I(Z)LG 1 and crashed at Michałówek near Miłosna.

On 11th September they were ordered to move to Brześć. Kuzian, Malinowski and Klocek, in the units remaining aircraft, were to fly a reconnaissance in the Ciechanów-Płońsk-Nasielsk area and then land at Brześć. North of Warsaw they were attacked by two Bf 109s and the P.43 was damaged. The pilot managed to evade the Messerschmitts but when landing on at the bombed airfield at Brześć they crashed in a bomb crater. They escaped with light injuries. No longer with any aircraft the unit withdrew to Łuck and eventually, the morning 18th September, they crossed to Rumania.

During the September Campaign they flew 32 combat sorties dropping 1,500 to 2,000 Kg of bombs. Losses were six killed and eight Karaśes and two PZL P.43s lost.

 

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42 Eskadra Rozpoznawcza Army Pomorze

Commanded by Capt. Waltera. The Army Aviation commander Col. Stachoń decided that initially only three of the units Karaśes would move to its advanced airfield at Zduny 12 Km north-east of Inowrocław. The remaining seven would be at his disposal at Turuń. First sorties were flown from there, reconnaissance along the boarder area 10-15 Km into Germany. At noon, after the airfield had been attacked, all aircraft were evacuated to Zduny.

2nd September three reconnaissance sorties were flown, one of which was written off in a forced landing after being hit by Polish infantry fire.

On 3rd September, Banaszuk, Mazurkiewicz, and Więckowski were sent to gather information on troop movements at Nakło. Their aircraft was first attacked by fighters and then enemy flak, all to no affect. At 17.00, while about to land at Zduny, they were attacked in error by two P.11cs of 141 Eskadra. The aircraft burst into flames and the wounded observer bailed out just before the aircraft touched the ground. His parachute failed to open and he was killed. The pilot and wounded gunner force-landed 1.5 Km from the airfield. Both survived, the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The German airfield at Schneidemuhl (Pila) was also reconnoitred by not attacked.

On 4th September several reconnaissance sorties were flown. During one of these a Karaś was attacked near Nakło by Bf 110s of I/ZG 1 severely damaging it. The observer, Makowski, was badly wounded in the head. The pilot, Muchowski, evaded the enemy by flying very low and returned to Zduny. Makowski died the next day at a hospital in Włocławek. Pfelger, Wojciechowski and Jasiński found a German armoured column 12 Km west of Koronowo at Nowy Dwór. At 13.00 six Karaśes took off each carrying six %0 Kg bombs. The attack was successful destrying a house with around a dozen staff cars parked there, believed to be an enemy HQ. All returned to Zduny.

The morning of 5th September wojciechowski, Pfleger and Jasiński flew a reconnaissance in the Chełmno area. After their return the unit moved to Folbórz 4 Km north of Brześć Kujawski. The airfield was a clover field so the aircraft were camouflaged with small saplings cut down nearby. In the evening Muchowski, and Olearczyk flew the Karaś damaged the day before to Warsaw for repair at the PZL factory. It was later destroyed in an air raid at Okęcie.

On 6th September the last combat sorties were flown. It was decided that the Eskadra would be transferred to the command of Air Force HQ and move to Butlerów. The aircraft left on the morning 8th September joining with the Karaś of the Bomber Brigades 4th and 5th Eskadras at Butlerów. At about 17.00 the same day, the road party was bombed at Kałuszyn losing several killed and wounded and nine vehicles. On the 9th September the units seven remaining Karaśes and those of the Bomber Brigade left for Franopol. On 11th September their aircraft were handed over to the Bomber Brigade. Three pilots, Przybylak, Hajdukiewicz and Ligęza were transferred to the 4th and 5th Eskadras. On 17th and 18th September the personnel evacuated to Rumania.

During the September Campaign the unit flew 21 combat sorties dropping 2,500 Kg of bombs. Losses were three killed and two wounded. Three Karaśes were destroyed and seven handed to the Bomber Brigade.

 

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51 Eskadra Rozpoznawcza Narew Independent Operational Group.

Commanded by Capt. Hrabkiewicz the unit moved 31st August from Lida to the emergency field at Horodło, then to Milewko near Małkinia, and finally in the late afternoon Rynek 14 Km north-west of Ostrów Mazowiecka. Three Karaśes were damaged in landings. The unit also lost an aircraft with the crew of Koziński, detached a few days before to Białystok to fly special missions over East Prussia, which never returned to the unit.

On 1st September the first sortie came to grief when the Karaś of Jarkowski crashed on takeoff breaking the undercarriage. The unit were now left with five aircraft. In the afternoon German reconnaissance located the airfield and it was decided to move to Zalesie 18 Km north of Ostrów Mazowiecka. .

Two reconnaissance sorties were flown 2nd September. The next day three aircraft attacked Baranowo in East Prussia. On 4th September Micel, Zbucki, and Cander bombed tanks and truck in transit at Biała Piska railway station, causing fires and panic in the German troops. AA fire damaged the aircraft's canopy but the pilot was able to return. Illaszewisz, Jarkowski, and Salomon made a reconnaissance along the Chorzele-Szczytno-Giżycko-Orzysz route. Attacked by two Messerschmitts the pilot escaped into cloud. Photographs were brought to the HQ of Narew IOG Aviation. An attack on the column was ordered and crried out by the crews of Łacina,, Jarkowski, and Zamor.

On 6th September at 4.30, Malinowski, Łucki, and Zagórski carried out a reconnaissance. At Olszewka, north-east of Ostrołęka the observer dropped incendiary bombs on a halted German infantry column. The remainder were dropped on a stationary train at Chorzele station. In a further flight the crew found a 20 Km long motorised column on the Jednorożec-Krasnosielc road, heading for Rózan. After reporting it to HQ orders were given to bomb the target. Al five Karaśes took part. One was shot down by German AA. Cybulski was killed and the badly wounded pilot and gunner bailed out. The aircraft of Zbucki was attacked by Messerschmitts which he managed to evade flying at low level. The observer lost his bearings and decided to land at Skierniewice. As they touched down they were spotted by twelve Ju 87s which took turns to straf the Karaś. Cander, the gunner, fired back at the enemy until flames forced him to take cover. None of the crew were hurt.

No sorties were flown on 7th September, three the day after. German reconnaissance again located their airfield so it was decided to move to Rogów. The aircraft moved in the morning 9th September. In the afternoon they moved again to Małaszewicze. The airfield had been bombed several times and was covered in craters but none of the unit's aircraft were damaged.

On 10th September the crew of Zamor flew one reconnaissance sortie from Małaszewicze. The following day the aircraft moved to Prużany 80 Km north-east of Brezść.The next day two aircraft were evacuated towards Łuck. While landing Łuck, the Karaś of Łucki crashed. Jarkowski's Karaś landed at Ławrów 13 Km to the south of Łuck. Later, on the 14th he flew a reconnaissance from there for the Łuck defence commander. They lost contact with the Eskadra and by 18th September they reached Wielick where they learned of the Russain invasion. After refuelling they flew to Dżurowo at Zaleszczyki and in the evening to Cernautsi in Rumania.

On 12th September crew were went to Lida to collect the Karaś damaged on 31st August at Horodło, and sent there for repair. Instead the base commander retained it for his own reconnaissance purposes. On 13th September Borys, Ateński and Zawistowski flew over the Białystok and Grodno area. On 17th September, when news of the Russian invasion was received, Borys, Łacina, and Radatz were sent to reconnoitre the eastern boarder. Soon after takeoff bombs under the aircraft exploded, perhaps due to vibration, and the crew died in the resulting crash.

The morning of 18th September the raod party of the Eskadra was surrounded by Russain tanks at Tarnopol. Most of the personnel were captured and sent to the gulag concentration camps and Siberian iron ore mines at Krivoy Rog. After the German invasion of Soviet Russia in 1941 some of those that survived the ordeal were released and found their way to the Polish Air Force in Britain.

During the September Campaign the unit flew 22 combat sorties dropping 4,000 Kg of bombs. Losses were four killed and nine missing. On 1st September it had seven Karaśes and received one reinforcement. Seven were lost and one evacuated to Rumania.