Eerie images show abandoned RAF WWII airfield used by American Spitfire pilots to attack Nazis in France
RAF High Ercall near Shrewsbury in Shropshire was completed in 1940 as the Battle of Britain raged in the skies over England
Dan Hall
HAUNTING images explore a lost RAF airbase that once housed American airmen during World War Two.
RAF High Ercall in Shropshire was kitted out with a pool, sauna and jacuzzi in addition to the runways and hangars that formed the heart of its operations during the Second World War.
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Work on RAF High Ercall began in 1938 in Shropshire during the run up to the Second World WarCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
In 1942, the United States Army 8th Air Force's 309 Fighter Squadron was shipped to RAF High Ercall where they were given Spitfire Vs to escort bombers on long-range missions.
The American pilots were trained in the iconic British planes at the airfield before blitzing the Luftwaffe in dogfights high above France.
But after the war, the base had several non-combat functions including being used for the storage and scrapping of aircraft.
It was even proposed to be used as an immigration centre for 750 asylum seekers, but the plan was never realised following neighbouring residents' protests.
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American servicemen from the United State's Army 8th Air Force's 309 Fighter Squadron took to the skies in Spitfires from the baseCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The disused airfield has a swimming pool as well as well as abandoned hangars and messesCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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A petrol station once fuelled the machinery of war flown from RAF High ErcallCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The disused base was proposed to be used as an immigration centre in 2010Credit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The urban explorer who photographed the base, known as The Elusive, said the buildings had been untouched for a decadeCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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Several of the hangars which once stood on the site have since been demolishedCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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Training was the main function of the site after the war, where American pilots had once learned to fly SpitfiresCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The urban explorer even found an RAF truck left in one of the airfield's garagesCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The markings on the side of the Bedford truck suggest that it was used at a Leeds heliport after its life in the RAFCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The photographer said that he loved the old prices of beer which were much lower ten years ago then they are todayCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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Some rooms at RAF High Ercall were piled high with uncleared rubbishCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
The spooky snaps of the base were taken at RAF High Ercall by an urban explorer known only as The Elusive.
He said: “This is a mish-mash of old buildings that have had multiple uses throughout history; RAF Airfield and accommodation, mechanics training workshop, removal company, police training unit and BT Centre.
“Everything has been left in the condition you can see for at least 10 years when I visited.
“I just love the way nature has taken everything back. I loved the old prices of beer and the items left around the place. Like with other sites it has a feeling of folks just being here despite it being left for such a long time.
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A sauna was also found during the exploration of the siteCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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Machinery and equipment lay untouched at RAF High Ercall near ShrewsburyCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The airfield continued to serve many different purposes at the end of the war, including as a training centre and as a place where aircraft were scrappedCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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Huge amounts of abandoned office equipment were also abandonedCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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Rusting signs adorn the walls and railings of the spooky buildingsCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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The accommodation at RAF High Ercall is still in good shape after years of neglectCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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A drained Jacuzzi sits empty at the baseCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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Phones and electrical equipment at the airfield which was previously used as a BT CentreCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
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All of the runways at the site have either been removed or completely reclaimed by wildlifeCredit: The Elusive / mediadrumimages.com
“Most people are surprised the amount of things to photograph that [are] still in there.
“I've been in worse hotels over the years.
"Looks very post apocalyptic in places and I wouldn’t fancy a swim in the pool.”
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