Suttak, James Emil
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | James Emil |
Surname | Suttak |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 31-03-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Michael Suttak and Margarita Suttak (née Orban), of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | MZ922 |
Markings | 6U-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 280. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 250 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/40338 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 415 (Swordfish) |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
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 |
Miscellaneous Information
James was born on 14 August 1921 at Rostoka, Czechoslovakia. His father, a shipper, was born in Rostoka as was his mother who was deceased by the time of James's enlistment. He had one brother, John Peter Suttak who was in the RCAF in England. The schools he attended were Holy Rosary, Windsor, Ontario 1930-1937, Walkerville Collegiate Institute 1937-1940 and Windsor Vocational 1940-1941 (Business). The sports James joined in were basketball, swimming, baseball, and golf and his hobby was model aircraft building. He worked at the Ford Motor Company of Canada in Windsor between 1941 and 1942, enlisting on 18 September 1942. |
After his enlistment and training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Halifax 10 April 1944, arriving at 3 PRC on 19 April. He was then at 2(0) AFU on 26 June 1944, 22 OTU 25 July 1944, 61 Base 18 October 1944, 1664 CU 15 November 1944 and 415 Squadron 30 December 1944. James was then to lose his life on 31 March 1945. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/20 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/19 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 31-03-1945 |
End Date | 31-03-1945 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Hamburg to attack the Blohm and Voss shipbuilding yards, where a new class of U-boats was being assembled. 469 aircraft, 11 lost due to a surprise appearance of the new Me 262 jet-propelled fighter. It was it's only appearance in fact. The target was completely cloud-covered so bombing was scattered throughout Hamburg with little damage to the intended target |
Reason for Loss | Some sources state that this aircraft was shot down by a jet-propelled fighter (Me 262) whereas it is highly likely it collided with KB761 on the return leg and crashed into the sea. A collision between a Lancaster and a Halifax was seen by several other crews and five parachutes were also seen but sadly any survivors must have perished in the water. |