Flight Engineer 433 Squadron: James C. Campbell (Can/R.200640)

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good morning to all.

On behalf of a friend of mine, who possess a document from this particular airman, we would like to obtain more details of Sergeant or Flight Sergeant JAMES C. CAMPBELL (CAN/R.200640), who seems to have been a Flight-Engineer on LANCASTERS, with 433 Squadron, based in February 1945, at Skipton-on-Swale, Yorkshire.

We are not sure if this particular airman flew in combat missions (although we believe NOT).

I would be very grateful, if someone who possess the 433 Squadron ORB could give us a help to determine WHEN this airman joined in and when he was posted out.

Thank you in advance,
Adriano S. Baumgartner

[Bill Walker]

433 Squadron ORB is now available on line at http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...ac_reel_c12308

[Kaczmarek]

Hello Adriano,

I cannot find him in the list of combat crews.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Bill and Kaczmarek,

Bill > Thank you for the link, which I already passed to my friend. We will try to find him.

Kaczmarek > My friend do have an original Flight Engineers Lancaster Notes, which came signed with the name of James C Campbell R200640, RCAF. There is the name of Skipton-on-Swale, the date 19 February 1945 and a serial number 5861 or 5061 (had to check with him). We initially believed that that particular airman DID NOT flew on operations...but since the date was 19 February 1945...maybe there is a chance he undertook training flights with 433 Squadron....I have seen the original F/E Lancaster Manual and the name on the cover is really that of a James C. Campbell. We tried to find on RCAF roll of combat crews...but got no joy either...that particular Canadian Service Number seems to NOT EXIST....I will try to add a Picture here....But thanks a lot for your most valuable help and kind attention...
Adriano

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Here's the Picture he just sent me....
Maybe the Corporal's name solves the problem...Could it be a former RCAF manual which was salvaged and used by the RAF later ?

[alieneyes1]

Adriano,

The number certainly exists. There are 23 RCAF NCO KIAs whose service number started with R200. The last three digits range from 002 (Stanley Glaister) to 964 (Earl Douglas White).

The question won't be answered easily by the ORB which Bill posted the link to. If you have a look, only the captain's name is shown on ops. One is referred to the Battle Orders for crew which I could not find....which is not to say they aren't there. PORs suffer from the same "unfound" category.

Regards,

Dave

[Bill Walker]

It depends on the month in question, probably because of different people filling in the reports. for example, the Work Carried Out reports, which follow the ORB each month, often report the entire crew. For March 1944, see http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...08/546?r=0&s=3 for example.

Added in edit: just found the Feb 45 Work Carried Out, I see what you mean.

Added in another edit: the Appendix containing full crew lists for February 1945 is in the next reel, starting at http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...09/276?r=0&s=3