This shows an update of a map of the Gulf region first drawn in 1938 by the Geographical Section General Staff. This example published in 1956.

This map is based on War Office Surveys that date back to the early 20th century. As demand for oil grew, the strategic importance of the Gulf, the Peninsula and the Levant became more and more recognised. So much so, that during World War II, the Persian Gulf Command was established to protect the oil fields and establish a vital supply line to the Russian eastern front. At its peak, the Command had 30,000 troops at its disposal. The ever shifting front necessitated a stream of continuous maps. 

This example would have been based on maps issued by the War Office but has been updated. These updates are mainly political and hence bear a great deal of significance and interest. In the east, there are early signs of borders between Trucial Oman and Oman. Trucial Oman would become the United Arab Emirates. The map also shows a land border between this region and Qatar which no longer exists. However, the border between the Emirate of Nejd, or Saudi Arabia and Qatar is marked. The  border between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is mostly as it is today, including the "Neutral Zones". In the west, particularly the Levant, Greater Lebanon no longer exists, with a large amount of that region now part of the newly established state of Israel. The map also shows Gaza as part of Egypt as this map was published before the Six Day War. 
Original colour. [MEAST4756]