Hi,
I had the chance to visit the remains of Ramla airfield (or RAF Ramleh) It was first used as an airfield by the German forces posted here during WWI to support the Ottoman Empire and was also used by Turkish air force.
Later the Royal Air Force (RAF) used Ramla airfield as one of 22 airports or airfields that were built in Israel (making this piece of land with the highest airports and airfields to area the highest in the British Empire). Some were built in northern Israel against the threat from Syria (which was under French Vichy rule). Others were built when Rommel advanced in Africa and threaten to conquer Israel. Another airfield I visited was Sirkin airfield.
The stone building were mostly built until 1925 (making it one of the earlier of the 22 airfields and airports in the land of Israel). The base was used as the RAF main command base in Israel. And as the RAF was responsible for all the forces in the land of Israel until the Arab revolt in 1936, it was the main British base and command in Israel.
After the war of Independence the place was used as the main base command of the IAF, Central command base, Infantry and paratroopers command base and Home front command.
You can see more information (in Hebrew) and pics here, here and here.
Take Care
Gad
1.The airfield air traffic control building from the British Mandate time (built on 1923 from stone). It is one of a kind in Israel, as the other who were built in British airfields were accommodated for more advanced technologies.
2.A British mandate time stone building that was used for the pilots who were set in readiness to run to the aircraft (built on 1923)
3.The RAF light bombers hanger posted in Ramla airfield, from the British Mandate time. It is built from stone walls (with stone columns in between) and a light steel roof. It is the first of a kind to built in Israel (1925) and one of a kind (a few were built in Egypt but were demolished). The remains of 1927 earthquake can still be seen as a crack in the corner of the building.
4.An old stone building in between next to the British secondary office building (that you can see on the right. Built between 1923 to 1927 from stone and used as an office building.
5.The main British command building from the British Mandate time (built on 1923). It is built partly from stone and partly from steel.
6.Secondary office British building from the British Mandate time (Built in 1924). This building is standing Parallel to the main command building. It is also built partly from stone and partly from steel.
The other side of the secondary office building
7.Built between 1939 to 1944 (during WWII), this bricks building used a storage building of spare parts of the British armored vehicles.
8.Stone buildings (with a yard in between) used as a clinic for the RAF officers and their families from British Mandate time (built on 1923)
The airfield and the building area. The runways were in the area circled in red, but they were never paved and not shown clearly on any map or picture
Part of a Shahab 2000 Iranian Ground ground missile which reach to 11 m long.
On 14th April 2024 Iran had launched hundreds of missiles towards Israel. This missile was one of the few which managed to reach Israel and was intercepted by Defense systems. This part fell near Arad and it weighs about half a ton.
Remains of more of the Iranian Ballistic missiles launched towards Israel in the first or second attack on Israel