Skalski, Stanislaw “Stan”, born 27-11-1915 in Kodymo, Odessa, was one of the many Poles who served with the RAF , probably the most distinguished.
His father, Józef Sosnkowski of the Godziemba coat of arms, was a wealthy nobleman and owner of several villages. His mother was Zofia Drabińska. In 1896 he attended the V Gimnasium (secondary school) in Warsaw, where he participated in a secret organization of progressive youth. To avoid persecution he moved in 1904 to Saint Petersburg, where in 1905 he finished the XII Gimnasium. The same year he passed the entrance exam to the Department of Architecture at Warsaw Polytechnic. In 1906, a boycott of the school by the students was declared and the polytechnic was closed, which prevented Sosnkowski from studying there. He started his career in Poland, joining the Polish Air Force
in 1936,
where he trained as a pilot. He flew against the Germans during the invasion of his country and was credited with some 7 victories. Escaping via Romania at the end of the Polish campaign, he made his way to France. Skalski’s claims consisted of one Junkers Ju 86, two Dornier Do 17, one Junkers Ju 87, two Hs 126s and one Hs 126 shared (official list credits him with four aircraft: two Do 17s, one Hs 126, one Ju 87 and one Hs 126 shared). Soon after he fled the country with other Polish pilots to Romania, and from there via Beirut to France and after went on to fight with the Royal Air Force
in the Battle of Britain. From there he came to England in time to fly in the Battle of Britain (see Bomber Harris).
He joined 302 squadron in August 1940, however, 302 was not then operational and he was quickly moved to 501 squadron
. He scored a total of 22 victories during the war. He was a careful pilot. He never did anything without thought but was yet very aggressive during engagements with the enemy. On 5th September he
was shot down and suffered severe burns, but despite his injuries he was anxious to return to operations and rejoined his squadron after only 6 weeks. After the Battle, he continued a very successful career as a fighter pilot, not only flying from Britain, but going on to operations in North Africa and Italy. Finally, he ended up in England commanding a wing with the rank of Wing Commander. During the war, he was awarded the DFC
and Bar and DSO.
On returning to Poland, in 1947, he rejoined the Polish Air Force, but in 1948, he was arrested by the Communist regime, accused of spying.
Skalski with Air Marshal Arthur “Maori” Coningham (pictured left) and General Kazimierz Sosnkowski (pictured right). Arthur Coningham on 30-01-1948, age 53, he disappeared along with all the other passengers and crew of the airliner G-AHNP Star Tiger when it vanished without a trace somewhere off the eastern coast of the United States in the Bermuda Triangle. General Kazimierz Sosnkowski died on 11-10-1969, age 83, in Arundel, Quebec and was buried in France. In 1992, his ashes were brought to Poland and interred inside St. John’s Cathedral in Warsaw..
Death and burial ground of Skalski, Stanislaw “Stan”.
First being condemned to death and then this sentence was commuted, continued in prison. He was finally released in 1956, when he resumed his air force career, mainly on staff duties.
He was a wonderfully brave and resolute man. Stan Stalski died at the old age of 88, on 12-01-2004 and is buried on the Powasky Cemetery Marsha.,Section A 29, grave No. 3




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