Shantz, Ira Walter (Pilot Officer)

Killed in Action 1944-December-04

Pilot Officer Ira Walter Shantz RCAF

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

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