CAB80-25 — Page 446

Page 446

4

(ii) Army.

11.

Strength-Kinross area: 4,388 Officers, 13,292 Other Ranks. Accommodation.-Recreation huts have arrived and are being erected at Tentsmuir and Cupar.

Equipment. The following has been issued during the month:-

Vickers Machine Guns

Bren Guns Binoculars

6

56

25

The following equipment has been lent by Scottish Command:

Pontoons Bipartite Mk.III—“D

Bow pieces

Stern pieces

Oars 12 feet

Boats Reconnaissance

Boats Assault-"S"

Mk.I Mk.II

""

** 00 00 1

3

13

5

5

Employment. (a) Three troops of Polish Field Artillery have carried out registration fire as arranged at Buddon with satisfactory results.

(b) Staffs, down to Brigade Staffs, have taken part in Scheme Victor. (c) Eight Polish P.T. Instructors are attending Scottish Command P.T. Course.

(d) Practice demolitions of permanent way have been arranged for Armoured Train personnel attached to 7th Cadre Brigade.

(e) A tactical school at Linlathen, nr. Broughty Ferry, for Majors and Captains has been opened.

(f) A command T.E.W.T. took place on the 5th and 6th February. (g) Seven Polish Officers have been attached to 614 A.C. Squadron. Security The Edinburgh police have announced that the wives and families of Polish Officers and Other Ranks may enter the Edinburgh Protected Area without a special permit. Fortnightly meetings have been arranged between members of I.B. Scottish Command and the Security Section of the Polish Force.

Welfare.-(a) Concerts and revues have been given by Polish troops.

(b) Bolfracks House, Taymouth Castle, has been taken over and occupied as a Sister's Hostel.

(c) Arrangements are being made through Scottish Command to circulate suitable French films.

Morale.Good.

(iii) Air Force.

12. Operations. Although weather and aerodrome conditions have hampered operations, Nos. 300 and 301 Polish Bomber Squadrons made 22 sorties and the five Polish Fighter Squadrons 305 sorties between the 21st December and the 20th January. An enemy aircraft was destroyed by one of the 70 Polish pilots serving in R.A.F. Fighter Squadrons.

Expansion. A new Fighter Squadron (No. 315) is being formed, equipped with Hurricanes, and two more Fighter Squadrons will be formed, one in February and one in March.

A number of experienced Polish pilots will be withdrawn from service with R.A.F. Squadrons to provide a nucleus for these new Squadrons. Their places in R.A.F. Squadrons will be taken by less experienced Polish pilots. It has been agreed that all Polish pilots shall be withdrawn from R.A.F. Fighter Squadrons by about the 1st August, but there is no intention of reducing the number for some time to come.

Re-equipment. No. 303 Fighter Squadron (Hurricanes) is being rearmed with Spitfires.

Morale. Morale in Squadrons remains high.

Policy. It has been the practice to double-bank many key positions in Polish Squadrons with both Polish and Royal Air Force Officers or airmen. British personnel in many of these posts are now being withdrawn when the Polish holders are considered sufficiently experienced to carry out their duties unaided.

Page 446

Page 446

Page 446