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163 Athenia Survivors Are Brought to Quebec
Quebec, Sept 22, 1939 (CP) — One hundred and two survivors of the torpedoed liner Athenia, all but three of them Canadians, reached Quebec today and continued to Montreal where they are due to arrive late this evening. Twenty-nine of the group were from Toronto and fifteen from Montreal. Among those listed is ... James Goodson, Sutton West Ontario ...
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 Two photos taken by Jim from a Harvard - Clouds over Dunnville & Niagara Falls |
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Athenia Survivor Now in Air Force, Will
Battle Nazis
James Goodson of New York, Survived First Instance
of German Fury to Take Up Quarrel With Foe
Dunnville, Dec. 5, 1941 — James Goodson, 20, of New York and Toronto, a survivor of the Athenia torpedoing, is one of the graduates to receive his pilot's "wings" at No. 6 Service Flying Training School, R.C.A.F., here this afternoon.
"I have always liked the sea," he told newspaper men, "and started to work my way around the world. I got a job as a steward on the Athenia and crossed from the States to England on her. Then I went to France, but at Paris the United States consul sent me back. I booked a third-class passage on the Athenia for the return trip. I had just gone into the common room when, just about dusk one evening, the torpedo struck the ship. There was an explosion and the lights went out. The third-class quarters were very badly crowded with refugees, old men and women and children, mostly Polish. The refugees sort of went off the deep end and there was a panic. It was terrible, almost beyond description. Trying to launch the lifeboats and get the people into them was an awful job. Some old women were killed trying to get into those boats." Sgt. Goodson told how he stayed on the ship for about two hours helping to get the women and children off. He got away in a lifeboat about 10 o'clock and was picked up at 4 o'clock next morning by the Norwegian tanker Knute Nelson which landed those it rescued at an Irish port. Asked if he was cold in the open boat, he replied, "I nearly froze for I had given my sweater to some girl." He paid high tribute to a party of school girls, who, he said, did more than any one else to cheer up the people in the boats by singing class songs. Left University to Enlist |
 Sgt. Goodson |
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Athenia Survivor Says His Place Is in War
TELLS OF SINKING
Dunnville, Dec. 5, 1941 (Special) — A survivor of
the torpedoing of the Athenia, James Goodson of Toronto and New York City,
received his pilot's "wings" at No. 6 Service Flying Training
School here this afternoon, and before long will take his place in the
air against the enemy.
Goodson, who is 20 years of age, is the son of a United States citizen
who lost his life in Russia during the Bolshevist uprising about twenty
years ago. The father was born in Petrograd and spent some years in the
British Intelligence Service. He was living in New York, but returned
to Russia to see about some property he owned there, and in some manner,
the details of which have never become known by the family, lost his life.
He never saw his son, who was born after the father left for Russia. His
mother, a New York girl, Goodson said, also did some work for the British
Intelligence.
Asked by newsmen to tell of his experiences on the Athenia, he told the
following story: "I started out to work my way around the world.
I got a berth as a steward on the Athenia and crossed to Europe on her.
"At Paris the United States Consul ordered me back to the States
and I managed to book a third class passage for the return trip on the
same ship. The third class accommodation was terribly crowded with refugees,
mostly Polish, old men and women and little children.
When Torpedo Hit
"The evening she was torpedoed I had just gone into the common room
about dusk when the torpedo hit without warning. The lights went out and
there was an explosion which killed many people. The place was very badly
crowded and the refugees, worse than ever on account of the darkness,
kind of went off the deep end. It was a real rat race there.
Getting the lifeboats off was a terrible job. I did what I could to help
the crew but it was quite a mess. I didn't leave the ship until about
two hours after she was hit and was in a lifeboat from about 10 o'clock
till 4 the next morning. The submarine shelled the ship after firing the
torpedo. A Norwegian tanker, the Knute Nelson, picked us up and landed
us in Ireland, where I had a swell time. It was pretty cold in the boat
as I gave my sweater to some girl.
"There were some United States and Canadian schoolgirls who did more
than anybody else to cheer up the people in the lifeboats by singing class
songs and so forth. They were simply grand.
Sailed Again
"I always liked the sea and after I went back to the States I sailed
on a United States tanker, spending several months in South American waters.
Then I went to Toronto and started an honor English course at University
of Toronto. I was in the C.O.T.C. there, but enlisted in the R.C.A.F.
before getting a commission."
Asked if the sinking of the Athenia had anything to do with his enlisting,
he replied: "No I can't say that it had. That was war. For me I don't
think the right thing to do in wartime is continue at university. My place
is in the war against Hitler. Some fellows could best serve their country
by completing their university course, but not me. My place is in the
war."
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DUNNVILLE CLASS LARGEST IN PLAN TO SERVE EMPIRE
Graduate Airmen Prepared to Strike Blow at Nazi Leaders
ACCEPT STERN JOB
Dunnville, Dec. 6, 1941 — What is believed to be
the largest graduating class yet turned out under the Commonwealth air
training plan received pilots' wings at No. 6 Service Flying Training
school, R.C.A.F., here yesterday, afternoon.
Wing Commander V. H. Patriarche, officer commanding, officiated.
"While the official rulings prohibits my mentioning figures,"
he said, 'I think I might say this, our unit has now turned out more pilots
than have been used in any of the biggest air raids in this war.
The graduates from this school are now giving our friend, Mr. Hitler,
and his chum, the plump Mr. Goering, a moderate headache. I hope this
headache will increase as time goes on."
He said the graduates included men from Canada, New Zealand, the United
States and one from the R.A.F.
To Beat Hitler
"They have all come in for one thing —to beat Hitler. They
have done exceptionally well in a tough course, and deserve great credit,"
the OC said.
Speaking to the graduates, Wing Commander Patriarche said: "There
are a great many jobs to be done. The purpose of the air force is to see
that we win this war. You have learned to steer an aircraft and will now
go on to special courses. You will not stay as pilots, or bombers, or
on reconnaissance all your life, but from one job to another. All these
have to be done. Winning the war is not only a great adventure, but a
serious problem. If you don't do your best to win, you are giving the
enemy an advantage. On how you do your job depends on how quickly we can
bring this war to a successful conclusion.
"Like your relatives and friends who are here today, we at this station
feel very proud of you. We know on the job you have undertaken you are
going to go out and be a credit to the service and yourself."
After the graduation it was learned that of this class, which was all
graduated as L.A.C.s that 24 are to receive commissions tomorrow and the
remainder sergeant's stripes.
Athenia Survivor
A survivor of the torpedoing of the Athenia, James Goodson, of Toronto
and New York City, received his pilot's "wings" and before long
will take his place in the air against the enemy.
Goodson, who is 20 years of age, is the son of a United States citizen
who lost his life in Russia during the bolshevist uprising about 20 years
ago. The father was born in Petrograd and spent some years in the British
intelligence service. He was living in New York, but returned to Russia
to see about some property he owned there and in some manner, the details
of which have never become known by the family, lost his life. He never
saw his son, who was, born after the father left for Russia. His mother,
a New York girl, Goodson said, also did some work for the British intelligence.
Asked if the sinking of the Athenia had anything to do with his enlisting,
he replied: "No, I can't say that it had. That was war. For me I
don't think the right thing to do in war-time is continue at university.
My place is in the war against Hitler. Some fellows could best serve their
country by completing their university course, but not me. My place is
in the war."
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416 SQUADRON PHOTO ALBUM
416 Squadron dispersal. Jim's getting his mail over there on the right |
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 Close up of the 416 Squadron Lynx emblem
Jim waiting for the signal to start up his Spit |
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 Goody (& what looks like 2 other former Eagles) receives the DFC |
HQ EIGHTH AIR FORCE Office of the Commanding General I. Under the provisions of Army Regulations 6OO-45, 8 August 1943, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Section I Circular 36, Hq., ETOUSA, 5 April 1943, the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS is awarded to the following named Officers and Enlisted Men, for extraordinary achievement, as set forth in citation in each instance. These individuals have previously earned the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters for wear therewith. JAMES A. GOODSON, 0 885 24l, 1st Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement. Lieutenant Goodson has accomplished forty fighter combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe, and has destroyed one enemy airplane in aerial combat. The skillful and zealous Banner in which Lieutenant Goodson has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Home address: 23 Sultan Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. |
By command of Major General EAKER: C. C. CHAUNCEY, Brigadier General, U.S.A., Chief of Staff, OFFICIAL: H. G. Culton Colonel, A.G.D., Adjutant General.
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1944
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Toronto Officer Says U.S. Ace 'Doesn't Know How He Does It’
A United States Fighter Base, England, April 10, 1944
(AP) — Capt. Don S. Gentile,
the leading United States Air Force ace in the European war theatre, makes
the job of mowing down Nazi planes sound as easy as picking birds off
a fence.
Asserting in an interview that he believed the Germans — apparently
short of experienced fighter pilots — are sending up novices with
one veteran to lead them through combat, the 23-year-old airman added:
"The Germans always seem to fly in twos or fours, strung out in a
line, and they keep right behind the leader no matter what happens —
as if they are afraid to branch off."
Gentile, who has destroyed 20 planes in the air, with claims of three
more pending, in addition to seven destroyed on the ground, willingly
acknowledges his debt to his wing man, Lt. Johnny Godfrey,
21, who has 16 kills himself.
Godfrey flies behind him, either to the right or left. Gentile keeps tabs
on him by asking every few seconds over the radio phone: "Are you
still with me, Johnny? Are you still with me, Johnny?" Any German
flier who understands English can hear them calmly plotting his doom.
"You break to the starboard," Gentile will call out, "and
I'll hesitate and if he follows you around I'll follow him and we'll have
him right between us”
While Gentile was musing about his Technique, his squadron commander, Major James Goodson of Sultan St., Toronto, a fellow
graduate of the R.A.F., said: "Don doesn't know how he does it. He
was just born with the knack — and he does it."
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British, Canadian Aircraft Hurl 4,000 Tons of Bombs In War's Greatest Assault
2,000 American Planes Follow Op With Tremendous Attacks on Nazi Factories
London, April 11, 1944 —(AP)—The heaviest attack in the R.A.F. bomber command's history —a 4,000-ton blasting of Belgian and French railroad centers by R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. planes Monday night —was reported by the Air Ministry today as nearly 2,000 American bombers and fighters carried the onslaught against German air defenses through its fourth day. The American task force of nearly 1,000 bombers and an equal number of fighters attacked aircraft factories at Oschersleben and Bernburg and other targets deep in Germany. It returned to England as the R.A.F. was disclosing details of last night's heavy attacks.
Use 900 Bombers
The bulk of the R.A.F. offensive was borne by 900 heavy bombers attacking
five French and Belgian railroad centers. Other Lancasters meanwhile dropped
many 8,000-pound bombs on a "very important" depot declared
to contain large stores of signal and radar equipment for use of the German
air force. This depot was at St. Cyr, near Paris.
The R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. had poured down more than 3,360 tons of bombs
on several previous night operations, and on March 22 smothered Frankfurt
with well over that figure —but never, the Air Ministry said, had
the load been so heavy as last night's.
R.A.F. Mosquitoes raided Hanover and other targets in the Ruhr and other
planes laid mines. The night raids cost 22 bombers, but all the Canadian
planes returned.
Terrific Air Battles
The German radio told of terrific air battles over the Reich today.
In the latest 60 hours of this attack more than 7,000 tons of bombs are
estimated to have been dropped on at least 23 German railroad centers,
aircraft factories and airfields.
Berlin radio said the Americans dropped bombs on central Germany and asserted
the raiders suffered heavy casualties in widespread operations over central
and eastern Germany. Formations leaving Reich territory were being harassed
by German fighters, the broadcast said.
The smashing night attacks on occupied territory centered on railway yards
and depots at Ghent, Belgium, and at Tergnier, Aulnoye and Laon in northern
France. Canadian Halifax squadrons shared in the raid on Ghent while Canadian
Lancasters were in the force which struck at Laon.
Pre-Invasion Assault
An R.C.A.F. communiqué said "many" aircraft of the Canadian
bomber group took part in the double-barreled attack.
In addition Canadians in an R.A.F. Halifax squadron joined in the blow
against Tergnier.
The attacks maintained the pre-invasion assault on vital Nazi military
objectives which has been carried out without interruption for the last
three days.
Hit Strongest Defenses
The blows delivered during darkness at cogs in the German war machine
followed daylight smashes by 1,000 to 1,500 American bombers and fighters
against aircraft and railway installations along the French-Belgian coast
and in the French interior.
The heavy raids Monday and last night fell within the belt where the Germans
have set up the strongest defenses to meet the forthcoming Allied invasion.
R.C.A.F. Spitfire fighter-bombers took part in yesterday's attacks against
military targets in northern France. Canadian Spitfires escorted American
medium bombers which hit military objectives in northern France and railway
yards in Charleroi.
Major James Goodson, of Toronto, a fighter pilot in the
United States Army Air Force, claimed to have destroyed five German planes
on the ground and shared in the destruction of another after a sweep over
northern France yesterday.
American losses in Monday's daylight operations were five bombers and
four fighters. At least 12 Nazi fighters were destroyed in air combats
and many more were reported shot up on the ground. Last night's large-scale
operation was the second successive R.A.F.-R.C.A.F. night attack on objectives
in occupied territory.
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TORONTO FLIER RANKS HIGH AT STRAFING
Washington, April 30, 1944 - (AP) - Fighter pilots of the
United States 8th and 9th Air Forces, who fly at 450 miles an hour 10
feet above German air fields, have destroyed "hundreds of enemy planes
on the ground," the War Department said today.
The concentrated strafing attacks against German airfields by American
fighters based in England were started two months ago as part of the campaign
to destroy the German air force by bombing plane producing factories,
shooting down enemy fighters that rise to their defense and wrecking those that
remain on the ground.
"Strafing airfields deep inside Germany is among the most dangerous
work of A.A.F. fighter pilots," the department commented.
One of the leading strafers of the European theatre, the department said,
is Major James A. Goodson, 23-year-old Mustang squadron commander, of
23 Sultan St., Toronto. Of 26 planes destroyed by him, 15 were on the
ground.
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AMERICAN ACE RECEIVED WINGS AT DUNNVILLE
Major James A. Goodson, With 26 Planes to Credit, Leading "Strafer"
 Major Goodson |
Dunnville, Ont., May 3, 1944 — Officially credited
with the destruction of 26 enemy aircraft, a graduate of No. 6 Service
Flying Training School, R.C.A.F., Dunnville, now a member of the United
States Army Air Force, has been named by the United States War Department
as being one of the leading "strafers" of the European theatre.
He is Major James A. Goodson, 23, of Toronto, who was awarded his "wings"
here on December 5, 1941, as a member of the R.C.A.F.
Major Goodson, in no uncertain way, is settling a personal score against the enemy. He was a passenger on the Athenia when it was torpedoed and sunk at the outbreak of war and although he survived that instance of German fury against Britain, he saw many victims—mostly old men, women and children escaping from the Hun in Poland—killed or drowned. After remaining on the sinking ship for two hours to assist in removal of women and children, he spent six hours in a lifeboat before being picked up by a rescue ship. "As long as I live, I will never forget those scenes of horror," he told a Spectator reporter while in training at Dunnville. Enlisted in R.C.A.F. Enviable Record |
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Major Goodson Equals Capt. Gentile's Record
LONDON. May 27. 1944 (AP)— Maj. James A. Goodson, commander of a P-51 Mustang squadron, has destroyed 15 planes in the air and 15 on the ground — equaling the mark of 30 for this theater set by Capt. Don Gentile of Piqua, Ohio.
Goodson's record was disclosed Saturday when he was among five American airmen decorated by Lt. Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, commander of U.S. Strategic Air Force, at Air Force Headquarters.
Goodson, who hails from New York City but who now gives Toronto, Canada, as his address, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action from March 16 to March 23 against enemy fighters which outnumbered him.
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BAGS 3 PLANES ON GROUND;
Lieut. Ralph Hofer Ties With Canadian Ace at 15
A FIGHTER BASE IN ENGLAND, May 31, 1944 (AP) - Lieut. Ralph Hofer, Mustang pilot of Salem. Mo., destroyed three German training planes on the ground today, tying Maj. James Goodson of Toronto, Canada, for the leading ground score of fighter pilots in the European theatre of operations, with fifteen planes destroyed.
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ACE TORONTONIAN LISTED MISSING
Washington, July 13, 1944 -(AP)- Major James A. Goodson,
23-year-old commander of a U.S.A.A.F. Mustang squadron, who was unofficially
credited with the destruction of 30 German planes, is missing in action
in the European theatre, the War Department reported yesterday.
Goodson, whose home is in Toronto, failed to return from a mission over
Germany June 20.
Regarded as one of the best strafers in the European theatre, Goodson
achieved 15 of his kills in the destruction of enemy planes on the ground.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on May 27.
Goodson was a survivor of the sinking of the Athenia in 1939. He had served
in the United States merchant marine and the R.C.A.F. prior to transferring
to the U.S.A.A.F.
His score of 30 destroyed enemy aircraft placed him near the top of the
roster of Allied aces in this war. Leading scorer now is Wing Cmdr. J.
E. (Johnny) Johnson, British-born
leader of a Canadian fighter wing based in Normandy, who has 35 kills
to his credit, all scored in the air.
Goodson was educated at the University of Toronto Schools, and left University
College, U. of T., to enter the R.C.A.F. in 1941.
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Fighter Pilot Is Reported Missing
A U.S. FIGHTER BASE IN ENGLAND, July 14, 1944 (AP) — Maj. James Goodson, high-ranking U.S. fighter pilot, was shot down by flak while escorting bombers on June 20, fellow pilots said today. The fact Goodson was missing was announced in Washington Wednesday night.
Goodson, a Toronto Flier who formerly lived in New York, won the Distinguished Service Cross recently for single-handedly attacking 30 German planes and breaking up their assault on a bomber formation. He also wore the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with several clusters and a British decoration, won while flying with the Canadians in the battle of Britain. (italicized part untrue -jf).
His victory record was 15 planes destroyed aground and 15 aloft. He was squadron commander in a "hot" Mustang group commanded by Col. Don Blakeslee of Fairport Harbor, Ohio. He had participated in many major air battles alongside Capt. Don Gentile, of Piqua, Ohio, once top scorer in the European theater.
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Ranking U.S. Ace Prisoner of War
Major Goodson Has Score of 30 Nazi Planes
TORONTO, July 22, 1944 — Major James Goodson, 23, one of the ranking aces of the United States Army Air Forces, with 30 German planes to his credit, is a prisoner of war, it was stated in a telegram received here last night from Washington by his mother. Mrs. Gertrude Goodson. He had been reported missing in the European theatre 10 days ago.
"This wonderful news has put an end to the suspense of not knowing definitely whether he was alive or dead," said Mrs. Goodson of 23 Sultan St. Toronto. "The information came through the International Red Cross"
Major Goodson, who survived the torpedoing of the Athena, was commander of an R.A.F. Eagle Squadron in the days before the United States entered the war.
He was born in New York City, but lived the greater part of his life in Toronto, where he attended school and was in his second year at the University of Toronto when he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. He received his wings at Dunnville. Ont. in December 1941, and went overseas shortly afterwards.
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20 June 1945. SUBJECT COMMENDATION
to: The Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, DC.
1. It is desired to commend Major James A. Goodson, A.C. 0-885241 for outstanding work while a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany.
2. Major Goodson devoted himself to the interests and welfare of PsOW, contributing in a large measure to successful preservation of healthy minds and bodies of those in confinement.
3. Unusual handicaps had to be met and overcome. Living conditions were difficult, unhealthy and crowded. In spite of all these things, major Goodson laboured unceasingly to maintain the morale, discipline and comfort of his fellow prisoners.
4. Working with ultimate objective of salvaging all POW personnel in good condition and returning them to the service of their country, the staff of the camp, which included Major Goodson, was certainly successful as indicated by the fact that only one man was lost out of a compound of 2000 officers and men.
5. It is requested that a copy of this letter be forwarded to the officer and included in his 201 file.
(signed) Delmar T. SPIVEY
Colonel, Air Corps.
Note - Major Goodson was Camp Adjutant in the Centre compound for USAAF PsOW at Sagan in Silesia, South of Berlin.
This Commendation was put in by Colonel Delmar Spivey, who was the Senior Officer for all American Compounds for PsOW. Goodson's 2000 men were separated from Col. Spivey at Spremburg when the forced march began, and Jim had to take them under guard to Moosburg, Bavaria.
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Victories Include:
| 22 June 1943 16 Aug 1943 3 Sep 1943 7 Jan 1944 16 Mar 1944 18 Mar 1944 21 Mar 1944 23 Mar 1944 29 Mar 1944 5 Apr 1944 10 Apr 1944 23 Apr 1944 12 May 1944 25 May 1944 |
one FW190 two FW190s one FW190 one FW190 two FW190s two Me110s two He111s one Me410 two Me109s two u/i e/a 2.5 Ju88s one Ju52 one FW190 4.5 u/i e/a one Hs126 one Me109 one Me109 one FW190 |
destroyed destroyed & damaged probable destroyed destroyed destroyed OTG destroyed OTG destroyed destroyed [a] destroyed OTG, destroyed OTG & destroyed OTG destroyed OTG & destroyed OTG destroyed [b] destroyed destroyed |
336 FS " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 307 FS 336 FS " |
15 - 13 / 1 / 1
plus
13 / ? / ? On The Ground
| [a] European Victory Credits by Frank Olynyk says one Ju88 [b] AFHRA says two destroyed on that date (with 307 Sqn.) |
His score is said to be 15 Air & 15 Ground but I dont have those details
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* Awards & Decorations (complete)
Row One Row Two Row Three Row 4 Row 5 Row 6 Row 7 Row 8 |
[a] “For extraordinary achievement and heroism. [b] World War II (WW II) Army of Occupation Service Medal |
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Related Sites :
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Thanks go out to
Daughter Melanie for the corrections, additions & pix !
On these pages I use Hugh Halliday's extensive research which includes info from numerous sources; newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC); the Google News Archives; the London Gazette Archives and other sources both published and private.
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Some content on this site is probably the property of acesofww2.com unless otherwise noted.
