Strana 81
BUILT
FZ152, W/Cdr Stanisław Skalski, CO of No. 133 (Polish) Wing, Coolham, United Kingdom, April-May 1944
Stanislaw Skalski was born on November
27, 1915, in Lambushna near Kodymy (now in
Ukraine). After the invasion of Poland by Nazi
Germany, he became one of the two most su-
ccessful Polish fighters who took part in the
battles against the German forces. He fled
to the UK via France, joined the RAF in Janu-
ary 1940 and took part in the Battle of Britain
with No. 501 Sqn. In early March 1942 he was
transferred to No. 306 Sqn as Flight B Com-
mander. In May 1942 he was promoted and took
command of No. 317 Sqn. In early 1943 he led
a special group called the Polish Flying Team
operating as part of No. 145 Sqn on Mk.IXc Spit-
fires in North Africa. In July 1943 he became
commander of the British No. 601 Sqn. Late in
the year he returned to the UK, flying as com-
mander of No. 131 Wing at Northolt, but in April
1944 he moved to No. 133 Wing, which was rear-
med with Mk.III Mustangs. He remained there
until mid-August 1944. After the war he served
at the headquarters of the British Occupation
Air Force in Germany. On his return to Poland
in 1949 he was imprisoned by the Communists
on charges of spying for the West. He spent
six years in prison awaiting execution. In 1956
was Skalski released and rehabilitated. In 1957
he rejoined the Polish Air Force. Later he was
active in sport aviation, becoming secretary
general and vice-president of the Polish Aero
Club. In October 1988 he was promoted to the
rank of General (retired). He died on November
12, 2004.
INFO Eduard
81
June 2025