Flight Lieutenant Shanks had previously survived the loss of 464 Squadron Mosquito FBVI NS 897 1944-06-06 while on an INTRUDER operation over Normandy as part of the the D-Day operations. Shanks was the only survivor from the loss of Mosquito NS 897 and became an EVADER, liberated by Allied forces at Saint-Victor-l'Abbaye, France, September 44
464 (FB) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire, England
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
(British Aerospace photo) (Source Bomber Command Museum of Canada)
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British twin-engine shoulder-winged multi-role combat aircraft, introduced during the Second World War. It was one of few operational front-line aircraft of the era whose frame was constructed almost entirely of wood. Nicknamed The Wooden Wonder, it was affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews. The total number of DH98 Mosquito aircraft built was 7,781, the type serving with the main Allied air forces, including both the United States and Russia.
When Mosquito production began in 1941 it was the fastest propeller driven operational aircraft in the world. The first variant was an unarmed, high-speed, high-altitude photo-reconnaissance aircraft. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito's use evolved during the war into many roles including low to medium-altitude daytime tactical bomber, high-altitude night bomber, pathfinder, day or night fighter, fighter-bomber, intruder, and maritime strike aircraft. It was also used by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) as a fast transport to carry small high-value cargoes to, and from, neutral countries, through enemy-controlled airspace. The crew of two, pilot and navigator, sat side by side, but a single passenger could ride in the aircraft's bomb bay when necessary.
The Mosquito FB Mk. VI was often flown in special raids, such as Operation Jericho, an attack on Amiens Prison in early 1944, and precision attacks against military intelligence, security and police facilities (such as Gestapo headquarters). On the 10th anniversary of the Nazi' seizure of power in 1943, a morning Mosquito attack knocked out the main Berlin broadcasting station while Hermann Goering was speaking, putting his speech off the air. Goering later said: "It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy. There is nothing the British do not have. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops."
The Mosquito flew with the RCAF and other air forces in the European, Mediterranean and Italian theatres. After the end of the Second World War Spartan Air Services flew 10 ex-RAF Mosquitoes, mostly B.35's plus one of only six PR.35's built, for high-altitude photographic survey work in Canada. There are approximately 30 non-flying Mosquitos around the world with five airworthy examples, four in the United States, and one in Canada. Harold Skaarup web page and Wikipedia
Mosquito MM403 FB.Mk VI - Bombing - 1945-01-18 to 1945-01-18
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 Unavailable6 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