Squadron: 464 (FB) Sqn (RAAF)
Start Date: 1945-01-18
Completion Date: 1945-01-18
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City:
Target Specific: Night intruder operation in Ardennes salient, Belgium
Base: RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire, England
Take Off Time: 00:32
Squadron Code: SB-V
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: France
Crash Specifics: 10 miles north-east of Merville
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: engine
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable
6 Group Unavailable
6 Group Unavailable
464 Squadron RAAF (Aequo animo) RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire. Mosquito FVI MM 403 SB-V was part of a force of 14 aircraft in an INTRUDER operation over the Ardennes salient. The aircraft suffered an engine failure and unable to maintain altitude, was abandoned at low altitude with the loss of one aircrew member
The Mosquito crashed 10 miles north east of Merville, France
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant R M Trites (RCAF) was killed in action
Navigator Flight Lieutenant D M Shanks (RAAF) baled out at 600 feet and survived to return to his unit 1945-01-20
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
Search for France - Crashes 39-45
ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE 1943-1945 I Imperial...