ECR Baker and Skalski

[keith A]

For years I have wondered how Baker arrived at the tally of twenty-two kills for WW2 but I believe I have the formula.

Skalski had made a reputation from his victories in Poland where he had claimed at five kills (one shared and a shared unconfirmed) and with then 501 Squadron adding four kills (and two unconfirmed - not probables)) in the Battle of Britain.

He joined 306 Squadron in 1941, and added four more kills (and a probable) for a total of thirteen (one shared) by the time he joined 316 as a flight commander in 1942. He would claim just one kill (and a probable) with 316 before he took command of 317 Squadron in May 1942.

Three kills with PFT in Tunisia and two more (debatable) kills in a Mustang in 1944 .

He ended the war with nineteen (one shared), although other sources would credit him with twenty-two kills, this would include three (one shared) unconfirmed.

regards

Keith

[BrianC]

Hi Keith

Have you read Franek Grabowski's recent book 'Skalski Against the Odds' (Fonthill 2017)?

Cheers
Brian

[keith A]

I scanned it in a bookshop but didn't buy it because it is yet another re-hash of old stuff. I am going to re-read it at the NLS tomorrow so I might change my opinion. Unfortunately, as Franek agrees there's no perspective through fellow pilots other than full throat admiration. I admire Skalski as a pilot but it follows that old chestnut that he is the best Polish fighter pilot of WW2. He probably is. He does not need the cheer-leading. Horbaczewski is close. Even with the reduced tally of 18 1/4 kills, Skalski meets that distinction. The argument surely is only to raise him among other pilots...

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by keith A

I scanned it in a bookshop but didn't buy it because it is yet another re-hash of old stuff. I am going to re-read it at the NLS tomorrow so I might change my opinion. Unfortunately, as Franek agrees there's no perspective through fellow pilots other than full throat admiration. I admire Skalski as a pilot but it follows that old chestnut that he is the best Polish fighter pilot of WW2. He probably is. He does not need the cheer-leading. Horbaczewski is close. Even with the reduced tally of 18 1/4 kills, Skalski meets that distinction. The argument surely is only to raise him among other pilots...

I have always though that the history book should be based on the old stuff. I am not sure what do you mean by re-hash, though. I am not sure what is your problem with Skalski being the highest scoring Polish pilot either.