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.

455 Squadron RAAF formed at RAF Swinderby, in Lincolnshire and had received Handley Page Hampden bombers by the time the bulk of the Australian personnel arrived on 1 September 1941, having departed Australia by sea on 15 June.

In June 1942, Catanach was promoted squadron leader, becoming reputedly the youngest in the Royal Australian Air Force to hold that rank.

[1][4][9] Catanach and his crew took off in Handley Page Hampden serial number "AT109" from RAF Sumburgh at 20:40 hours on the night of 4/5 September 1942 for Vaenja, Northern Russia, via Afrikanda.

[1] He teamed up with two Norwegians, Halldor Espelid and Nils Jørgen Fuglesang, and the New Zealander Arnold George Christensen who was of Scandinavian descent, in a group heading for Denmark and possibly ultimately neutral Sweden.

Nearing the border suspicious policemen insisted on carefully examining their papers, checking their briefcases which contained newspapers and escape rations.

[4] Although the four escapers has split up to pretend to be travelling individually they were all in the same railway carriage, more policemen arrived and closely examined every passenger, soon arresting all four suspects.

[20] The second (and possibly a third) car drew up in the same place shortly afterwards and Post told his agents to get Christensen, Espelid and Fuglesang out, stating that they should take a break before their long drive.

[31] The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded on 23 June 1942 to Acting Flight Lieutenant James Catanach (Aus.400364), Royal Australian Air Force, No.