Polish Fighting Team: Difference between revisions
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|image=[[Image:Polish Fighting Team.png|150px|Badge of the Polish Fighting Team]] |
|image=[[Image:Polish Fighting Team.png|150px|Badge of the Polish Fighting Team]] |
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|caption=Badge of the Polish Fighting Team |
|caption=Badge of the Polish Fighting Team |
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|dates= |
|dates= 13 February 1943 to 22 July 1943 |
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|country= Poland |
|country= Poland |
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|allegiance= |
|allegiance= |
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A total of 15 Polish pilots were chosen, under a plan for personnel rotation every three months. After initial preparations at [[RAF West Kirby]] in the UK, they embarked on an Atlantic convoy, arriving in North Africa in March 1943. |
A total of 15 Polish pilots were chosen, under a plan for personnel rotation every three months. After initial preparations at [[RAF West Kirby]] in the UK, they embarked on an Atlantic convoy, arriving in North Africa in March 1943. |
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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 |
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 18 April. The [[German Army]] in Africa surrendered on 13 May and the PFT was disbanded. |
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===Locations=== |
===Locations=== |
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===Squadron equipment=== |
===Squadron equipment=== |
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* 15 March 1943 - [[Supermarine Spitfire]] F VB Tropicalised and VC (inter alia: AB168, ER539 -7) |
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* 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) |
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===Scores=== |
===Scores=== |
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Revision as of 21:35, 31 March 2009
| Polish Fighting Team | |
|---|---|
 Badge of the Polish Fighting Team | |
| Active | 13 February 1943 to 22 July 1943 |
| Country | Poland |
| Part of | Desert Air Force |
| Nickname(s) | "Skalski Circus" |
| Battle honours | North African Campaign |
| Insignia | |
| Unit code | ZX + individual number (0-10) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Supermarine Spitfire |
The Polish Fighting Team (PFT) (Template:Lang-pl), also known as "Skalski's Circus" (Template:Lang-pl), 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.
History
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 in the UK, 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 18 April. The German Army in Africa surrendered on 13 May and the PFT was disbanded.
Locations
- March 13 1943 - Bu Grara
- April 11 1943 - La Fauconnerie
- April 15 1943 - Goubrine
- May 6 1943 - Hergla
- May 20 1943 - Ben Gardane
Squadron equipment
- 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
| destroyed | 25 |
|---|---|
| probable | 3 |
| damaged | 9 |
See also
Notes
References
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2008) |
- Bohdan Arct: Cyrk Skalskiego Warsaw, 1970, MON
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| Equipment | ||
Polish Air Force in the United Kingdom during the Second World War | ||
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| Other units | ||