335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, P51B Mustang 43-12469 WD-L F/O. Goetz

Archive Report: US Forces
1941–1945
Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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Operation: Fighter Sweep Bordeaux France

Date: 21st March 1944

Unit: No. 335th Fighter Squadron 4th Fighter Group

Type: P51B Mustang

Serial: 43-12469

Code: WD-L

Base: Debden

Location: Pres de La Brejonniere, Bournezeau, France

Pilot: F/O. Joseph Goetz T-122269 USAAF Killed

REASON For Loss:

F/O. Joseph Goetz was hit at low altitude while strafing. Pierce McKennon saw his P-51B hit the ground; there was no fire, but the wings and engine broke off and the fuselage was left upside down and the pilot was later confirmed to have been killed.

Burial details:

F/O. Joseph Goetz. Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, France. Plot M. Row 2. Grave 9. Next of kin details not available - are you able to assist?

Researched Michel Beckers - for Aircrew Remembered, December 2016. With thanks to Doc Wilson for grave photo, Nigel Julian for pilot photo, remainder the Michel Beckers collection.

Explore related reports: 1944 France Michel Beckers Mustang USA

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Acknowledgements
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Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.

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