Memories of RAF Masirah & RAF Sharjah

Compiled by Colin Pomeroy

Self-Published

108 pages

Colour and Black & White photographs
Paperback A4

RAF stations Masirah and Sharjah were vital bases supporting the RAF when Britain played a global role in world politics and peacekeeping. Little known, and rarely reported in RAF and aviation history, they acted as staging posts and refuelling stops for Britain's developing civil aviation links to the Far East and Australia when aircraft were slow and had short ranges. These airfields were capable of rapid expansion and were pressed into use during WWII and remained in military hands - Sharjah until 1971 and Masirah until 1977 - when Britain's presence east of Suez came to an end.

Former Kipper Fleet pilot Colin Pomeroy has released a self-published book "Memories of RAF Masirah and RAF Sharjah" which runs to 108 x A4 pages and contains 290 photographs, mainly in colour. Primarily through these photographs, it covers the history of these desert outpost airfields from their first brushes with aviation in the 1930s up to closure (Sharjah in 1971 and Masirah in 1977) and includes a whole host of topics including aircraft, personnel, buildings, vehicles (including fire vehicles), involvement in World War II, aircraft accidents, shipwrecks, churches and the like.

Although there is only one mention in the text of 208 Squadron - that the Hunters of 208 Squadron were the last operational aircraft to leave RAF Sharjah - and only a handful of photographs of 208 Squadron aircraft and personnel, it is nonetheless for those who were ever stationed at, deployed to, or visited these outposts, a true trip down Memory Lane.

"Memories of RAF Masirah and RAF Sharjah" is available directly from Colin Pomeroy at CPomeroy@aol.com.

1st printing 2020