George Goodman (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Ernest Goodman
DFC
|
|
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Randy (No. 1 Squadron) Benny (No. 73 Squadron) |
| Born | 8 October 1920 Haifa, British Military Administered Palestine |
| Died | 14 June 1941 (aged 20) near Kambut, Italian Libya |
| Buried |
Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya
|
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1941 |
| Rank | Flying Officer |
| Unit | 1 Squadron 73 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
George Ernest Goodman was a brave pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He was born on October 8, 1920, and sadly died on June 14, 1941. People sometimes called him Randy or Benny Goodman. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down many enemy planes. He was one of "The Few" pilots who fought in the famous Battle of Britain. George Goodman is officially credited with shooting down 10 enemy planes by himself and helping to shoot down six others.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Goodman was born in Haifa on October 8, 1920. At that time, Haifa was part of British-controlled Palestine. His father, Sidney Charles Goodman, was British, and his mother, Bida Lerner, was from Zikhron Ya'akov. He had two sisters named Winifred and Ellen.
When he was older, George was sent to the United Kingdom for school. He attended Highgate School in London. While at school, he was part of the Officer Training Corps, which helped prepare young people for military service. In 1939, his parents moved to Lagos, Nigeria, because his father's job as a British civil servant changed.
Joining the Royal Air Force
George Goodman joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1939, right when World War II was beginning. On September 2, 1939, he officially became an Acting Pilot Officer.
He started his flight training, learning how to fly different planes. He then learned to fly the Hawker Hurricane, a famous fighter plane. By February 1940, he was ready for more advanced training before joining a real squadron.
Fighting in France
On May 1, 1940, George Goodman joined No. 1 Squadron RAF. This squadron was fighting in the Battle of France.
He got his first confirmed "kill" on May 13, 1940, when he shot down a German Heinkel He 111 bomber. On the same day, he helped shoot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110. He also helped destroy another He 111 on May 14. His last victory in France was another He 111 on June 17, 1940, before his squadron left France. On July 10, 1940, he was promoted to Pilot Officer.
The Battle of Britain
George Goodman was quite an experienced pilot by the time the Battle of Britain began. This was because he had already fought in France.
On July 25, 1940, he shot down a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane. On August 11, he helped destroy a Bf 110. He also shot down an He 111 on August 16. Two days later, on August 18, he shot down another Bf 110 and helped destroy a Dornier Do 17 bomber.
On September 6, he shot down another Bf 110. However, during this fight, his own plane was hit, and he had to bail out (parachute to safety). He injured his shoulder when he landed. His plane crashed at Brownings Farm in Chiddingstone Causeway.
He returned to flying soon after his injury. On October 8, 1940, he helped damage a Junkers Ju 88 bomber. He also helped damage a Do 17 on October 27.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
For his brave actions during the Battle of Britain, George Goodman was given the Distinguished Flying Cross. This important award was announced on November 26, 1940.
The award recognized his "outstanding work" and "courage and resourcefulness." It stated that he had destroyed at least six enemy aircraft.
Fighting in the Western Desert
In November 1940, George Goodman was moved to No. 73 Squadron RAF. This squadron was sent to the Western Desert in North Africa to fight there. On his way to the Middle East, he stopped in Lagos, Nigeria, to see his mother. As his squadron flew away, they did a special flying trick called a "barrel roll" over his family's home.
On February 4, 1941, George Goodman shot down a German Bf 110 at Tobruk. He also shot down an Italian Fiat CR.42 fighter plane near Barce. The Italian pilot of that plane was a famous ace named Capitano Guglielmo Chiarini.
George Goodman was promoted to Flying Officer on February 28, 1941.
On April 9, 1941, his plane was shot down again, either by ground fire or another Bf 110. Luckily, he crashed behind British lines, so he was safe.
He continued to fight, helping to shoot down a Henschel Hs 126 on April 14. On April 21, he destroyed one Junkers Ju 87 and helped destroy another. In late April 1941, he took some time off and visited his sisters in Haifa.
Death
Sadly, George Goodman was killed in action on June 14, 1941. He was flying low and attacking the Gazala airfield when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire (flak). His aircraft crashed at Kambut.
George Goodman is buried in the Knightsbridge War Cemetery in Acroma, Libya. This is a British military cemetery.
