Sqd.Ldr. James Catanach DFC.
Royal Australian Air Force 455 Squadron
(d.29th March 1944)
James Catanach completed nine perilous missions with Bomber Command, before his unit, No. 455 Squadron, RAAF, was transferred to Coastal Command in April 1942. By June, 20-year-old Catanach had been promoted Squadron Leader, the youngest in the Royal Australian Air Force, and been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), his squadron's first.
On 2nd of September 1942, sixteen Hampden torpedo-bombers of No. 455 Squadron set out from RAF Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands. Their destination, Vaenga (now Severomorsk), Russia. Allied shipping convoys bound for the Soviet port of Murmansk always suffered heavy casualties. No. 455 crews were tasked with transferring their aircraft to the Soviets who could use them protect the incoming ships. Catanach's aircraft, AT109, was forced down en-route, however, and he and his crew were captured near Norway. Imprisoned at Stalag Luft III, Sagan (Zagan, modern Poland), Catanach was among 75 Allied airmen take part in the legendary Great Escape, on 24th of March 1944. Seventy-three prisoners were recaptured. Fifty of these including Catanach were executed by the Gestapo in bloody retribution.
