Shanks, Jack Laverne
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Jack Laverne |
Surname | Shanks |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 17-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert C. and Norma H. Shanks, of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | NA516 |
Markings | QA-A |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Gorssel General Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Row A. Grave 21. |
Epitaph | WE LOVED HIM TOO MUCH TO EVER FORGET HIM HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR PEACE ON EARTH |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 239 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/86809 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 432 (Leaside) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Shanks Lake, Manitoba; 8km north of Clifton Lake |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Lake |
Memorial Text |
Location | Village Centre, Sutton on the Forest, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone & Metal Sun Dial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to all those who served at RAF East Moor and in particular 415 Sqn RCAF |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/28 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/27 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-06-1944 |
End Date | 17-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Night (16% moon) |
Operation | Sterkrade to bomb a synthetic oil plant, despite a poor local weather forecast The target was indeed covered in thick cloud and the PFF markers were not easily visible. Bombing was scattered as a result and there was little impact on production. The bomber stream passed within 30 miles of the Tame Boar night-fighter beacon that was being used that night, resulting in large bomber losses on the approach. Total losses for the night were 31 aircraft (13.6%) although losses among certain squadrons were higher still- notably 77 Sqn which Lost 7 of its 23 aircraft (30.3%). |
Reason for Loss | Hit by cannon fire from a night-fighter at 18000' and while closing on the Dutch coastline on the return journey. Crashed at Almen, WSW of Lochem, Holland |