Shanks, Donald McKenzie (Flight Lieutenant)

Survived 1945-January-18

Male Head

Birth Date: 1909-November-06

Born: South Yarra, Victoria, Australia

Parents:

Spouse:

Home: South Yarra, Australia

Enlistment: Melbourne, Australia

Enlistment Date: 1940-November-09

Service

RAAF

Unit

464 (FB) Sqn- Squadron (RAAF)
Aequo Animo Equanimity

Base

RAF Thorney Island

Rank

Flight Lieutenant

Position

Navigator

Service Numbers

400839

Home
Google MapSouth Yarra, Australia

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

Unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

Unvetted Source 05/06.06.1944 464 Squadron Mosquito FB.IV NS897 Sqn Ldr...

Unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

Unvetted Source MI9 nos 2000 to 2499

Unvetted Source IS9-3350

Unvetted Source nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au

Mission

Mosquito FB.Mk VI MM403

Bombing 1945-January-18 to 1945-January-18

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

Unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

Unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

Unvetted Source Search for France - Crashes 39-45

Unvetted Source ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE 1943-1945 I Imperial...