James Catanach
RAAF bomber pilot (1921–1944) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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James Catanach (28 November 1921 – 29 March 1944) was an Australian Handley Page Hampden bomber pilot who was taken prisoner during the Second World War. Reportedly the youngest squadron leader bomber pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force at the age of twenty, he took part in the 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III in March 1944 and was one of the men re-captured and murdered by the Gestapo.
Quick Facts Birth name, Nickname(s) ...
James Catanach | |
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Birth name | James Catanach |
Nickname(s) | Jim |
Born | (1921-11-28)28 November 1921 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Died | 29 March 1944(1944-03-29) (aged 22) near Kiel, Free State of Prussia, Nazi Germany |
Buried | Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland |
Allegiance | Australia |
Service/ | Royal Australian Air Force |
Years of service | 1940–44 |
Rank | Squadron Leader |
Service number | Aus.400364 |
Unit | No. 455 Squadron RAAF |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross, Mentioned in despatches |
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