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* [[March 23]] - [[May 26]] [[1943]] - [[Supermarine Spitfire]] F IXC (inter alia: EN261 -10, EN267 -5, EN268 -7, EN286 -8, EN300 -9, EN315 -6, EN361 -3, EN459 -1)
* [[March 23]] - [[May 26]] [[1943]] - [[Supermarine Spitfire]] F IXC (inter alia: EN261 -10, EN267 -5, EN268 -7, EN286 -8, EN300 -9, EN315 -6, EN361 -3, EN459 -1)


{|class="wikitable"
==Scores==
|+ Team scores for March-May 1943
<font size=+1>
! align="center" |destroyed
{| border=1 cellspacing=0
| align="right" |25
! align="center" style="background:#00BFFF"|March-May 1943
! align="center" style="background:#00BFFF"|Overall
|-
|-
! align="center" style="background:#00BFFF"|destroyed
! align="center" |probable
| align="right" style="background:#C6E2FF"|'''25'''
| align="right" |3
|-
|-
! align="center" style="background:#00BFFF"|probably
! align="center" |damaged
| align="right" style="background:#C6E2FF"|'''3'''
| align="right" |9
|-
! align="center" style="background:#00BFFF"|damaged
| align="right" style="background:#C6E2FF"|'''9'''
|}
|}
</font>


==Pilots==
==Pilots==

Revision as of 11:46, 8 May 2008

Polish Fighting Team
Badge of the Polish Fighting Team
Badge of the Polish Fighting Team
ActiveFebruary 13 1943 to July 22 1943
CountryPoland
Nickname(s)"Skalski Circus"
Battle honoursNorth African Campaign
Insignia
Unit codeZX + individual number (0-10)
Aircraft flown
FighterSupermarine Spitfire

The Polish Fighting Team (PFT) (Template:Lang-pl), also known as "Skalski's Circus", was a Polish unit which fought with the 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 unit was sent to North Africa at the insistence of the Free Polish HQ, which wanted to train a cadre of experienced pilots in harsh conditions. The team was attached to No. 145 Squadron RAF, flying the Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX.

A total of 15 Polish pilots were chosen, under a plan for personnel rotation every three months. After initial preparations at RAF West Kirby, they embarked on an Atlantic convoy, arriving in North Africa in March 1943.

The unit gained a reputation for effectiveness and style. Flying Officer Mieczysław Wyszkowski was the only casualty in the PFT, shot down and taken prisoner-of-war on April 18. The German Army in Africa surrendered on May 13 and the PFT was disbanded.

Locations

Squadron equipment

Team scores for March-May 1943
destroyed 25
probable 3
damaged 9

Pilots

See also

Notes

Bibliography

  • Bohdan Arct: Cyrk Skalskiego Warsaw, 1970, MON