Lysander IIIA AR-B (V9441) from 309 Squadron, 1941. Photo from Wojciech Zmy\u015blony collection.<\/em><\/p>\n Polish No 309 squadron was formed in the autumn 1940 and its task was to co-operate with and support Polish 1st<\/sup> Corps which was forming in Scotland. Unit\u2019s first equipment was Westland Lysander which was used as reconnaissance and liaison aircraft, which also was able to make bomb attacks using small bombs. However, this kind of co-operation proved obsolete and Lysanders were moved to special operations\u00a0 – especially to transport Special Operation Executive agents to German occupied Europe. Their presence in the skies over the battlefield became unnecessary. That is why 309 Squadron received modern Mustangs Mk.I. One of the first pilots who flew this plane was Janusz Lewkowicz. He learnt a lot about the plane, its construction and abilities, and created fuel consumption diagrams, which allowed to gain 20-30% more range. RAF ignored his reports so Lewkowicz flew to Norway and back. After that, his diagrams were sent to other units and RAF reconnaissance Mustangs started flying as far as the Ruhr.<\/p>\n F\/Lt.\u00a0 Janusz Lewkowicz at the Mustangu I AG648\/E, aeroplane flown on 27 September 1942 on raid to Norway.. Photo from Wojciech Zmy\u015blony collection. In January 1944 No 309 squadron became fighter-bomber unit. In March it received Hurricanes Mk.IV. It was a universal attack version and it could carry either two 40-mm cannons in gun pods, one under each wing or bombs or rockets. However, at that time this plane was obsolete and was successfully replaced by Hawker Typhoon Mk.I b armed with four 20mm canons, bombs and rockets. Even before receiving Hurricanes Mk.IV, No 309 squadron OC, Maj Maciej Piotrowski had asked for Mustang Mk.II, Spitfire Mk.V\/Mk.IX or DH Mosquito. But the Air Minstry denied \u2013 official reason was \u201cthe lack of sources\u201d.<\/p>\n Hurricane Mk IIc from 309 Squadron. Photo from Wojciech Zmy\u015blony collection. Hurricane LF644\/WC-D. Visible are smudges of repaint with lighter shade of camouflage (Sea Grey Medium?). Photo from Wojciech Zmy\u015blony collection. In March the squadron received factory new fighters Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc which were used to practice fighter combats. During reconnaissance missions those planes were to be equipped with pods with cameras. But this did never happen. Squadron\u2019s\u00a0 OC pointed out three issues which disqualified them as a photo-reconnaissance planes:<\/p>\n In April 1944 current commander was replaced by Cpt. Jerzy Go\u0142ko. The squadron\u2019s \u201cA\u201d Flight was sent to No 13 Fighter Group (RAF Drem) and \u201cB\u201d Flight to No 12 Fighter Group (RAF Hutton Cranswick). That decision made training even more difficult. The squadron flew training and patrol missions (probably last made by Hurricanes in North-Western Europe) with no enemy sighted. Pilots shot down three barrage balloons. The future of the squadron was uncertain.<\/p>\n Photo: F\/O Jerzy Mencel and Cpl Zygmunt Janke with Hurricane LF644\/WC-D, Acklington, Spring-Summer 1944 r. Photo from Wojciech Zmy\u015blony collection. .<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of factory new Hurricane Mk IIc aeroplanes delivered to 309 Squadron in March 1944. Aeroplane insignia, a girl wearing swimming suit and slogan “target for tonight” are painted on fuselage right (see photo below). Artwork by Zbyszek Malicki<\/p>\n Pilots from 309 squadron during in September 1944. First row, third from left ins new commander,\u00a0 S\/Ldr Antoni G\u0142owacki, and frmer commander (in leather coat) F\/Lt Jerzy Go\u0142ko. In background: Hurricane LF331\/WC-G “Target for Tonight”. Photo from Wojciech Zmy\u015blony collection.\n<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n On the 1st<\/sup> September 1944 it was decided that the squadron would be pure fighter unit and receive North American Mustang Mk.III (P-51 B\/C) fighters. One week later S\/L Antoni G\u0142owacki arrived to overtake the command. He was the legend \u2013 during the Battle of Britain, while flying with No 501 squadron he shot down several German planes, including 5 on the 24th<\/sup> August 1940. Soon after his arrival hard training commenced.<\/p>\n Antoni G\u0142owacki \u2013 as w jeden dzie\u0144<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/armahobbynews.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/309-12.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNo 309 Squadron \u201cArmy Co-Operation\u201d<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/em><\/p>\nUnwanted Hurricanes<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/armahobbynews.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/309-66.jpg\")
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\n<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/armahobbynews.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/309-16.jpg\")
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\n<\/em><\/p>\nHurricane LF331\/WC-G<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nThe New Hope<\/h2>\n