I'm researching for information regarding my uncle, P.O. John Dorrian Smith (190286) who was a flight engineer with 427 Squadron RAF failed to return 05/01/1945. I would be grateful for any information as the above is basically all I know about him, apart from his burial place in Hanover.

Regards

Dennis Smith

I believe this is what you are looking for:
Lost Bombers - World War II Lost Bombers

http://www.rcaf.com/6group/Jan45/Jan5~645.html
From: http://www.rcaf.com/6group/left.html

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Stepson of Arthur Ellison Sovereign:
RCAF Navigator: Lancasters and Wellingtons,
Bomber Command, WW2

Named after Fred Sutherland of the Dambusters.

Dear Fred,
thanks for your most helpful message. Those links have supplied some very interesting information. There does seem to be some confusion as to my Uncle's rank as he is referred to as Flt. Sgt. in some and P.O. in others. I will have to get hold of his service record to verify what it was.

Regards

Dennis Smith

Hi Dennis, Halifax III NR257 ZL-Y was shot down by Flak while on operation to Hannover . It crashed at 19.30 at Dudensee on the outward route.
F/L J D JOHNSTON DFC, RCAF was the squadron signal leader and was taken pow.

John Dorian Smith had the Rank of P/O was was acting as a Flight Engineer in the Halifax (not F/S) . The reason why is because theire were highly decorated high ranked vetaran officers in his aircraft and the pilot was a Squadron Leader !

S/L B G CREW DFC RCAF + (pilot)
P/O Smith +
F/L DODGE RCAF POW
F/O CAMPBELL RCAF POW
F/L JOHNSTON DFC RCAF POW
F/O KELWAY RCAF +
F/O OSLER RCAF+

CWGC :: Casualty Details

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Dear Skipper,
many thanks forn sorting out confusion re. my Uncle's rank. Can you shed any light on how he came to be an member of the RAF serving with in all-Canadian crew in a Canadian Squadron?