Shantz, Ira Walter (Pilot Officer)
Killed in Action 1944-December-04

Birth Date: 1923-May-16
Born:
Parents: Son of Walter and Gertrude Shantz; husband of Betty Shantz, of Lincoln.
Spouse: Husband of Betty Shantz, of Lincoln.
Home: Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
619 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Ad Altiora To higher things
Base
Strubby
Rank
Pilot Officer
Position
Bomb Aimer
Service Numbers
J/91118
Crew or Other Personnel
Lancaster ND932
Mission
Lancaster Mk.III ND932
Bombing Heilbronn Germany 1944-December-04 to 1944-December-04
619 (B) Sqn (RAF) Strubby
Took off from Strubby at 16:42 in Lancaster Mk III (Sqn code PG-O Bomber Command) on an operation to Heilbronn Germany.
Claim by Lt Peter Spoden Stab II/NJG6 - 20-30km South West of Heilbronn: 2,500m at 19:42. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 5 - Theo Boiten)
Hit as aircraft was approaching the target, the Marshalling Yard at Heidelberg. Starboard rudder was shot off. Crashed 60 miles from target.In Enemy Hands - Capadian Prisoners of War 1939-45
Killed: Flying Officer Stanley Victor Chambers RCAF J/88244 pilot KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Collective grave 4. F. 15-19. Flight Sergeant John Douglas Galliard RAF KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Coll. grave 4. F. 15-19. Sergeant Archie Pascoe RAF KIA Durnbach War Cemetery grave 4. F. 14. Flight Sergeant Robert Prunkle RCAF R/202987 KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Coll. grave 4. F. 15-19. Sergeant Charles John Reed RAF KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Coll. grave 4. F. 15-19. Pilot Officer Ira Walter Shantz RCAF J/91118 KIA Durnbach War Cemetery Coll. grave 4. F. 15-19.
Those who perished were initially buried in Unterriexingen Cemetery. Reinterred 16 August 1948