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No. 305 (Greater Poland) Polish Squadron Royal Air Force
No 305 Squadron was formed at Bramcote, in August 1940 in No 6 (Training Group). The fourth of the Polish squadrons, it was originally equipped with Battles, converting to Wellingtons in November 1940, transferring to Syerston and No 1 Group, becoming operational in April 1941.
No 305 flew with No 1 Group until August of 1943 when it joined the Second Tactical Air Force, Bomber Command. At Swanton Morley no 305 converted to Mitchell light bombers, daylight bombing, in formation with a fighter escort, Noball sites, enemy headquarters and fortifications in and around Cap Griz Nez. No 305 transferred to 138 Wing, No 2 Group in November 1943, converting to Mosquito FB VI. For the rest of the war it carried out light-bomber and fighter-intruder duties, day and night, bombing, among other targets, the Sabotage School at Chateau Maulny in August 1944, and a petrol depot near Nancy, immobilising German tanks and aircraft in the Battle of Normandy at the end of August. From November 1944 it was based on the continent, remaining with occupation forces until October 1946, disbanding January 1947.
Airfields
No. 305 Squadron
flew from:
- RAF Bramcote Warwickshire from 29th August 1940 (Battle I, Wellington Ic)
- RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire from the 4th December 1940
- RAF Lindholme, Yorkshire from the 20th July 1941 (Wellington II)
- RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire from the 23rd July 1942 (Wellington IV, Wellington X)
- RAF Ingham, Lincolnshire from the 22nd June 1943 (to 2TAF. Mitchell, Mosquito FB.VI)
- RAF Lasham from 5th September 1943
- RAF Hartford Bridge from early 1944
- Epinoy, France from November 1944
- disbanded at RAF Faldingworth, the 6th January 1947
7th Aug 1941 305 Squadron Wellington lost
23rd Sep 1940 Postings
12th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
18th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
24th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
9th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
14th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
16th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
2nd Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
15th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
3rd Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost
16th Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost
16th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
23rd Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
17th September 1942 Evaded capture in Belgium
24th Jul 1943 Aircraft Lost
6th June 1944 Invasion
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Want to know more about No. 305 (Greater Poland) Polish Squadron Royal Air Force? There are:2016 items tagged No. 305 (Greater Poland) Polish Squadron Royal Air Force available in our Library
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Plutowny Jan Bronislaw Zacharkiewicz DoH. No. 305 (Greater Poland) Squadron (d.16 February 1987) Jan Zacharkiewicz was my father, he was married in St Anne's Cathedral, Leeds on 16th of August 1943 to my Mum, Thelma Joyce Mortimer.
The wedding certificate lists his address at that time as Hutton Cranswick, near Beverley, thus RAF Hutton Cranswick where he was stationed.
He had also been stationed at RAF Church Fenton near Tadcaster.
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Cpl. Andrejz Cierpisz CdeG. 305 Squadron My father, Andrejz Cierpisz, was taught to fly light aircraft at Bydgosh in Poland when he was 8. His uncle was a general in the Polish Air Force, his mother was a countess in the Polish nobility. He joined the Polish Air Force as flying crew and then joined the RAF, flying with 305 Squadron.
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WO. Reginald Wilfred Everson 305 (Polish) Sqd My father Reg Everson trained as a pilot under the Arnold Scheme in America. On return to the UK he was a trainer, until Jan 1945 when he was sent to 305 (Polish) Squadron in Epernay, France. He flew Mosquitoes. He was shot down (by friendly fire from Americans he found out later) and taken to Gummersbach, Stalag 6G. He remembered living in wooden huts. There were several American airmen
After a few days they were roused about 2 a.m. with Ersatz coffee and marched away under armed guard. Eventually they reached a POW Camp near Enbach. The prisoners did not cooperate with the inefficient guards. Breakfast was Ersatz coffee, lunch soup water in which vegetables had been cooked but removed, supper black bread and margarine.
American troops were getting closer and by 19th April 1945 the Camp was virtually run by the prisoners. The 78th Division Army Infantry arrived at 14.00 hours by which time the guards had already handed over rifles and guns. Fried chicken and real coffee was greatly appreciated.
A few days of Medical Checks etc followed, before being taken to Giesen by truck and then to Paris by Dakota aircraft. Then Reg returned to rejoin 305 Squadron in Epernay.
So Reg was trained by Americans, shot down by Americans and released by Americans.
(taken from his diaries and conversations by his daughter, Joan
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