Bomber Command Memorial Register

High Ercall area OTU Memorial

ShropshireVarious Mosquito/Wellington from 60 OTU

High Ercall area, Shropshire

Partial Record

Photographs

60 operational training unit mosquito ii hj650
60 operational training unit mosquito ii hj650Credit: Aircrew Remembered
60 otu pilots course 33 and 34
60 otu pilots course 33 and 34Credit: Aircrew Remembered
60 otu navigators 3334 course
60 otu navigators 3334 courseCredit: Aircrew Remembered
60 operational training unit mosquito ii hj650 crew graves
60 operational training unit mosquito ii hj650 crew gravesCredit: Aircrew Remembered

The Memorial

It is maintained by High Ercall Parish Council.

Type
Various memorials associated with 60 OTU training losses
Inscription

Could you help us fill in the inscription?

LocationApproximate Location

High Ercall area, Shropshire, Shropshire

what3words: ///hobby.trackers.hazy

What Happened

At 1304 hrs. Midair collision with Mosquito II Serial HJ703 piloted by Fl/Lt. Barnett of 36 Course, also of 60 OTU. HJ703 made a successful single engine landing back at RAF High Ercall but HJ650 crashed in the West Bromwich area with the loss of both crew members. An ambulance was sent to recover the bodies of the two aircrew and removed them to the mortuary at RAF Halfpenny Green.

Community Connection

Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.

Share this memorial's story

Remembrance

Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.

Share remembrance information

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Various Mosquito/Wellington from 60 OTU
Date of Loss
Various WW2

Crew (2 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
F/O
Jan Antoni Liblikmaa P/1942
Pilot27Killed
Sgt
Jerzy Hara
Navigator20Killed

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
High Ercall Parish Council

Local Contacts

These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.

Shrewsbury Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

High Ercall Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

The National ArchivesRetrieved 2026-03-23(link may be broken)

National Archives records confirm No. 60 Operational Training Unit was formed at High Ercall in May 1943, training night intruder crews on de Havilland Mosquitoes. The unit suffered multiple training losses across the UK, from Shropshire to Northern Ireland and Wales.

What you'll find: WWII-era history of No. 60 Operational Training Unit's formation and operations at High Ercall.

60 OTU formed at High Ercall May 1943Trained night intruder crews on Mosquitoes

WikipediaRetrieved 2026-03-23

RAF High Ercall served as a fighter station and later an OTU base during WW2. No. 60 OTU operated Mosquitoes from the airfield from 1943, with numerous training accidents recorded across mountainous terrain in Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Pennines.

What you'll find: Explore RAF High Ercall's WWII history: fighter station and OTU base for Mosquito aircraft.

Airfield served as fighter station before OTU roleTraining accidents occurred across wide geographical area

Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24

Aircrew Remembered documents several 60 OTU losses including Mosquito HJ650 flown by F/O Liblikmaa. The Estonian-born pilot was one of many international aircrew who trained at High Ercall, reflecting the multinational nature of Bomber Command's training pipeline.

What you'll find: Detailed accounts of 60 OTU losses, including Mosquito HJ650 flown by Estonian F/O Liblikmaa, on Aircrew Remembered's comprehensive memorial page.

International aircrew trained at High Ercall including Estonian pilotsMultiple individual loss pages documented

Nearby Memorials

Vickers Wellington X HF465
19.0 miles away
Cheshire
Hampden P1294
19.8 miles away
Shropshire
Avro Lancaster KB879
23.2 miles away
Staffordshire
Vickers Wellington R1461
23.8 miles away
Clwyd
Vickers Wellington R1538
28.5 miles away
Staffordshire

Sources

The National Archives (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
aviationarchaeology.org.uk (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21

Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.

Suggest a correction or addition

Can You Help Complete This Record?

This record for High Ercall area OTU Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.

Email admin@bombermemorial.co.uk or contribute directly via our GitHub repository