Description

Step into the sun-soaked history of a bygone era with Peter Doling’s riveting account of the British military’s escapades on Addu Atoll. From its humble beginnings as Port ‘T’—a mere refuelling stop for the Royal Navy in 1941—to the grand opening of RAF Station Gan in 1957, this book is a treasure trove of military mischief and mayhem. Packed to the brim with every conceivable fact and figure, Doling’s work is a meticulous chronicle of the RAF’s brief but colourful stint on this tropical paradise, which was abruptly shuttered in 1976. You’ll discover the island’s critical role during World War II, the challenges of constructing an airstrip in a place that seemed to be designed for relaxation rather than runways, and the often comical political tussles between the British and Maldivian governments. But it’s not all serious business; the airmen of Gan knew how to have a good time, and Doling shares their whimsical tales of recreation that would make even the most serious of officers crack a smile. With a generous splash of historic photographs, maps, and a healthy dose of nostalgia, this book is a must-read for anyone with a penchant for military history, those who’ve basked on the Maldives’ beaches, and the former ‘Gan-ites’ who still chuckle at the memories of their time in paradise. This is one wild ride through the annals of RAF history that you won’t want to miss!