Miscellaneous

042903 - SKALSKI AGAINST ALL ODDS: The First Allied Ace of the Second World War

By Franciszek Grabowski

Stanislaw Skalski, the leading Polish fighter ace. Skalski gallantly served from the first day of the Second World War and became the first ace of the conflict. He continued to serve through the Battle of Britain, English Channel offensive, Tunisian and Italian campaigns as well as the Normandy landings.

Skalski finished the war on staff positions. Returning to communist Poland, he was duly arrested on charges of spying on behalf of Great Britain and sentenced to death. However, he was not executed and after spending eight years in prison, Skalski continued to serve his country by flying the MiG-15 jet fighter. He continued his service behind a desk and following retirement, was involved in popularising aviation as well as politics. Skalski’s incredible story is based on official documentation, many published for the first time.