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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.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via Helpdesk
charles goffin
7th PG. 14th PS. USAAF Spitfire PRXI MB952 Lt. Goffin

Operation: Photo Recon

Date: 8th September 1944 (Friday)

Unit: 14th Photo Squadron, 7th Photo Group

Type: Spitfire PRXI

Serial: MB952 

Coded: 952 

Base: RAF Mount Farm, Oxfordshire.

Location: Reckange-les-Mersch, Luxembourg

Pilot: Lt. Charles J. J. Goffin. USAAF Age 31. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Lt Goffin was a Belgian citizen from Graide in the province of Namur. He was killed in action on 8th September 1944 in Spitfire PRXI MB952, crashing at Reckange-les-Mersch, Luxembourg, a mere 80 kilometers from his place of birth.

We have since been contacted by a researcher from Luxembourg who has researched this loss fully and is also hoping to write a book about it. We also hope to receive other articles from Erny as and when he is able. Charles Goffin died of his wounds while he tried to bring in his Spitfire on Friday, 8th September 1944 at more or less 11.00 hrs. His body first was brought to Mersch (main municipality) and was buried there in the local cemetery behind the church. 

A few weeks later, Lt. Goffin's body was transported to the American Military Cemetery in Hamm (suburb of Luxembourg-City), where the body remained until 11th of September 1945. 

On 12th of September 1945 Lt. Goffin's body was finally removed to his hometown in Graide (Belgium) and the coffin, offered by the United States of America was first displayed in the entrance hall of his parents' home. In every street of Graide, belgian flags were waving from the houses, on that specific day. The locals payed tribute to their highly appreciated citizen, when the coffin was moved to the nearby church. After the funerals and moving speeches, highlighting Lt. Goffin's military career and civilian life, he finally was laid to rest in the family grave in Graide.

Erny T. Kohl

              

              7th Photo Group Spitfire 925 on take-off

 

Lt. Charles J J Goffin

 

Mount Farm

BURIAL DETAILS:

Lt. Charles J J Goffin. Graide Cemetery, Namur, Belgium. Born in 1913 and had lost an eye earlier in his aviation career. Before the USA entered the war he had shot down two Me109s whilst flying an Italian biplane.

Further information on American War deaths. 

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Acknowledgments: 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 MWO 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', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, 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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