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[[File:PFT Spitfire MK9 ZX6.jpeg|thumb|310px|PFT Spitfire MK9 ZX6 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXCs of the Polish Fighting Team (Skalski's Circus) attached to No. 145 Squadron RAF, run up their engines at Goubrine Airfield in Tunisia. In the foreground is EN315 'ZX-6', flown by the unit's Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Stanisław Skalski, with EN261 beyond.]]
[[File:PFT Spitfire MK9 ZX6.jpeg|thumb|Polish Fighting Team's [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire Mark IXCs]], with [[No. 145 Squadron RAF]] at Goubrine Airfield in Tunisia. Pilot in foreground 'ZX-6' is PTF [[Commanding officer|CO]] [[Stanisław Skalski]].]]


The '''Polish Fighting Team''' (PFT) ({{lang-pl|Polski Zespół Myśliwski}}), also known as "Skalski's Circus" ({{lang-pl|Cyrk Skalskiego}}), was a [[Poland|Polish]] unit which fought alongside the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] [[Desert Air Force]] in the [[North African Campaign]] of [[World War II]], during 1943. Its nickname was derived from its commander, [[Stanisław Skalski]].
The '''Polish Fighting Team''' (PFT) ({{langx|pl|Polski Zespół Myśliwski}}), also known as "Skalski's Circus" ({{langx|pl|Cyrk Skalskiego}}), was a Polish unit which fought alongside the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] [[Desert Air Force]] in the [[North African Campaign]] of [[World War II]], during 1943. Its nickname was derived from its [[commanding officer]], [[Flight lieutenant|F/Lt]] [[Stanisław Skalski]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Lotnicy.png|thumb|left|Members of the Polish Fighting Team in Tunisia (clockwise from upper left): Wacław Król, [[Bohdan Arct]], Władysław Majchrzyk, Władysław Drecki, Ludwik Martel and Mieczysław Popek]]
In late 1942 Polish Air Force Staff Command requested RAF permission to send a group of specially chosen pilots to the North African theatre of operations to acquire experience in operating as a part of a tactical air force in preparation for future Allied landings on the European continent.
In late 1942 Polish Air Force Staff Command requested RAF permission to send a group of specially chosen pilots to the North African theatre of operations to acquire experience in operating as a part of a tactical air force in preparation for future Allied landings on the European continent.


Volunteers had to be experienced (with at least 30 operation missions completed) and some 70 volunteers were considered before 15 pilots were chosen for the operational tour of 3 months.
Volunteers had to be experienced (with at least 30 operation missions completed) and some 70 volunteers were considered before 15 pilots were chosen for the operational tour of 3 months.


Formed at [[Northolt]] on 5 February 1943 as the Polish Fighting Team, initial preparations for overseas service took place at [[RAF West Kirby]], and the unit embarked on 24 February, arriving in North Africa on 13 March 1943.
Formed at [[Northolt]] on 5 February 1943 as the Polish Fighting Team, initial preparations for overseas service took place at [[RAF West Kirby]], and the unit embarked on 24 February, arriving in [[Tunisia]] on 13 March 1943.


The team was initially attached as 'C' flight, to [[No. 145 Squadron RAF]], (under ace S/L [[Lance Wade]]) equipped with the Spitfire Mk.V and operating from [[Bou Grara Airfield|Bu Ghara]], 150 miles west of [[Tripoli]].
The team was initially attached as 'C' flight, to [[No. 145 Squadron RAF]] of [[flying ace]] [[Squadron leader|S/L]] [[Lance Wade]] (another non-[[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] enlistee), equipped with the [[Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin-powered variants)#Mk V (Types 331, 349 and 352)|Spitfire Mk V]] and operating from [[Bou Grara Airfield]], 150 miles west of [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]].


Commencing operations on 18 March the unit gained an immediate reputation for combat effectiveness. The unit re-equipped with the [[Supermarine Spitfire]] Mark IX in late March.
Commencing operations on 18 March the unit gained an immediate reputation for combat effectiveness. The unit re-equipped with the [[Supermarine Spitfire (late Merlin-powered variants)#Mk IX (type 361)|Spitfire Mark IX]] in late March.


[[Flying Officer]] [[Mieczysław Wyszkowski]] was the only casualty in the PFT, shot down and taken [[prisoner-of-war]] on 18 April. Following the surrender of the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] in Africa on 13 May, the PFT was disbanded.
[[Flying officer]] Mieczysław Wyszkowski was the only casualty in the PFT, shot down and taken [[prisoner-of-war]] on 18 April. Following the surrender of the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] in Africa on 13 May, the PFT was disbanded.


Three pilots stayed on and became part of Desert Air Force units; Skalski became CO of No. 601 Squadron, Horbaczewski CO of No. 43 and Drecki a Flight Commander in No. 152.
Three pilots stayed on and became part of Desert Air Force units; Skalski became [[Commanding officer]] (CO) of No. 601 Squadron, Horbaczewski CO of No. 43 and Drecki a [[Royal Naval Air Service#Officer ranks|Flight Commander]] in No. 152.


===Locations===
===Locations===
* 13 March 1943 - [[Bou Grara Airfield|Bu Grara]]
* 13 March 1943 - [[Bou Grara Airfield]]
* 11 April 1943 - [[La Fauconnerie]]
* 11 April 1943 - La Fauconnerie Airfield ({{convert|64|km}} inland from [[Sfax]])
* 15 April 1943 - [[Goubrine]]
* 15 April 1943 - [[Goubrine Airfield]]
* 6 May 1943 - [[Hergla]]
* 6 May 1943 - [[Hergla Airfield]]
* 20 May 1943 - [[Ben Gardane]]
* 20 May 1943 - [[Ben Gardane Airfield]]


===Squadron equipment===
===Squadron equipment===
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== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==
*F/Lt [[Stanislaw Skalski]] (C.O.) (claimed 3-1-0)
*[[Flight lieutenant|F/Lt]] [[Stanisław Skalski]] ([[Commanding officer|CO]]) (claimed 3-1-0)
*F/Lt Waclaw Król (3-0-0)
*F/Lt Waclaw Król ([[Second-in-command|2i/c]]) (3-0-0)
*F/O [[Bohdan Arct]] (1-1-2)
*[[Flying officer|F/O]] [[Bohdan Arct]] (1-1-2)
*F/O Wladyslaw Drecki (1-0-1)
*F/O Wladyslaw Drecki (1-0-1)
*F/O [[Eugeniusz Horbaczewski]] (5-0-0)
*F/O [[Eugeniusz Horbaczewski]] (5-0-0)
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*F/O [[Karol Pniak]]
*F/O [[Karol Pniak]]
*F/O [[Kazimierz Sporny]] (3-0-0)
*F/O [[Kazimierz Sporny]] (3-0-0)
*F/O Mieczyslaw Wyszkowski* POW(0-1-0)
*F/O Mieczyslaw Wyszkowski ([[Prisoner of war|POW]] on April 18) (0-1-0)
*W/O Marcin Machowiak (1-0-2)
*[[Warrant officer#Royal Air Force|W/O]] Marcin Machowiak (1-0-2)
*W/O Wladyslaw Majchrzyk (1-0-1)
*W/O Wladyslaw Majchrzyk (1-0-1)
*W/O Bronislaw Malinowski (2-0-1)
*W/O Bronislaw Malinowski (2-0-1)

Latest revision as of 15:36, 27 October 2024

Polish Fighting Team
Badge of the Polish Fighting Team
Badge of the Polish Fighting Team
Active13 February 1943 to 22 July 1943
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
AllegiancePoland Polish Government in exile
Branch Royal Air Force
Part ofDesert Air Force
Nickname(s)"Skalski's Circus"
Battle honoursNorth African Campaign
Insignia
Unit codeZX + individual number (0-10)
Aircraft flown
FighterSupermarine Spitfire
Polish Fighting Team's Spitfire Mark IXCs, with No. 145 Squadron RAF at Goubrine Airfield in Tunisia. Pilot in foreground 'ZX-6' is PTF CO Stanisław Skalski.

The Polish Fighting Team (PFT) (Polish: Polski Zespół Myśliwski), also known as "Skalski's Circus" (Polish: Cyrk Skalskiego), was a Polish unit which fought alongside the British Commonwealth Desert Air Force in the North African Campaign of World War II, during 1943. Its nickname was derived from its commanding officer, F/Lt Stanisław Skalski.

History

[edit]
Members of the Polish Fighting Team in Tunisia (clockwise from upper left): Wacław Król, Bohdan Arct, Władysław Majchrzyk, Władysław Drecki, Ludwik Martel and Mieczysław Popek

In late 1942 Polish Air Force Staff Command requested RAF permission to send a group of specially chosen pilots to the North African theatre of operations to acquire experience in operating as a part of a tactical air force in preparation for future Allied landings on the European continent.

Volunteers had to be experienced (with at least 30 operation missions completed) and some 70 volunteers were considered before 15 pilots were chosen for the operational tour of 3 months.

Formed at Northolt on 5 February 1943 as the Polish Fighting Team, initial preparations for overseas service took place at RAF West Kirby, and the unit embarked on 24 February, arriving in Tunisia on 13 March 1943.

The team was initially attached as 'C' flight, to No. 145 Squadron RAF of flying ace S/L Lance Wade (another non-Commonwealth enlistee), equipped with the Spitfire Mk V and operating from Bou Grara Airfield, 150 miles west of Tripoli.

Commencing operations on 18 March the unit gained an immediate reputation for combat effectiveness. The unit re-equipped with the Spitfire Mark IX in late March.

Flying officer Mieczysław Wyszkowski was the only casualty in the PFT, shot down and taken prisoner-of-war on 18 April. Following the surrender of the German Army in Africa on 13 May, the PFT was disbanded.

Three pilots stayed on and became part of Desert Air Force units; Skalski became Commanding officer (CO) of No. 601 Squadron, Horbaczewski CO of No. 43 and Drecki a Flight Commander in No. 152.

Locations

[edit]

Squadron equipment

[edit]
  • 15 March 1943 - Supermarine Spitfire F. Vb Tropicalised and Vc (inter alia: AB168, ER539 -7)
  • 23 March - 26 May 1943 - Supermarine Spitfire F. IXc (inter alia: EN261 -10, EN267 -5, EN268 -7, EN286 -8, EN300 -9, EN315 -6, EN361 -3, EN459 -1)

Scores

[edit]
Team scores for March–May 1943
destroyed 25
probable 3
damaged 9

Personnel

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  • Bohdan Arct: Cyrk Skalskiego Warsaw, 1970, MON
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