From Port T to RAF Gan

RAF history
ISBN 1-873203-89-6
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by Peter Doling
Colourful history of the remote military base at Addu Atoll in the Maldive Islands 1941-76

A former Education Officer at RAF Gan, Peter Doling invested a huge amount of time and effort into the task of compiling this magnificent history of the British military presence on Addu Atoll in the Maldives, from its origin in 1941 as ‘Port T’, a Royal Navy refuelling post, to the construction of RAF Gan, commissioned in 1957 and closed in 1976.

RAF Gan is still fondly remembered by many who served there and former ‘Gan-ites’ will find much to enjoy in this fascinating book, crammed with just about every fact and figure about Gan that one could hope for.

There are detailed accounts of the island’s role during World War II and of the problems encountered during the construction of the aerodrome which was plagued by frequent bouts of political wrangling between the British and Maldivian governments … plus a catalogue of all major events during the RAF’s 19-year tenure of this remote equatorial atoll.

There are also many light-hearted glimpses of life at the RAF base, with particular reference to the colourful recreational pursuits devised by inventive airmen, both to amuse themselves and to entertain the many visitors who passed through their tropical island staging post.

Comprising over 250,000 words on 388 large format pages this book is illustrated with many previously unpublished maps and photos, including many in full colour. It contains a wealth of of valuable information for historians and researchers  and is also, of course,  a nostalgic treat for anyone who remembers RAF Gan.