According to Bomber Command Losses 1944 (Chorley), 433sqdn lost two aircraft on the operation to Magdeburg on the night of 21/22 Jan 44. Your uncle was on board Halifax HX289, BM-T, which took off from Skipton on Swale at 20.00hrs, and was lost without trace.
F/Sgt J.A. Wilson, RCAF.
Sgt J.M. Townsend, RAF.
F/O R.B. McClellan, RCAF.
F/O J.H. Seymour, RCAF.
WO2 C.L. Depper, RCAF.
F/O W.R. reed, RCAF.
P/O R.H. Megainey, RAF.
The two aircraft lost, were the first losses for the squadron, since commencing operations at the beginning of Jan 44. A total of 62 aircraft were lost on this operation.
Have you tried requesting a copy of your uncles RCAF Service file from Ottawa. This will give you details of his movements, before his posting to 433sqdn.
Regards...Alan.
-- Edited by AW on Sunday 10th of November 2013 10:33:01 AM
Wilson, James Archibald - Warrant Officer 2nd Class (Pilot) R139291 from Port Colborne, Ont. KIA age 21. Crew of Haifax HX 289 BM-T transmitted a distress signal giving their location as near Arras, France during a night raid on Magdeburg.
McClellan, Robert Bruce - Flying Officer (Navigator) J21190 from Vancouver, B.C. KIA age 21
Depper, Clifford Lloyd - Pilot Officer (Wireless Air Gunner) J86266/R95552 from Saskatoon, Sask. KIA age 21
Reed, William Reginald - F/O (Air Gunner) J25591 from Toronto, Ont. KIA age 36
Seymour, John Henry - F/O (Bomb Aimer) J23740 from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan KIA age 29
