‘File 28/1 J Sabotage to oil wells, etc’

Content

The file comprises copies of correspondence and notes containing guidance, issued in response to reports from the War Office, of German plans to sabotage oil fields and refineries and blow up shipping.

The file includes: a copy of a telegram from MICE (Middle East Intelligence Centre) in Cairo, dated 3 December 1939, reporting that Germany ‘may have started a campaign to damage oil wells, refineries, etc.’ (f 3); a letter from the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain to John S Black, Chief Local Representative for the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), dated 6 December 1939, forwarding information of the reports regarding German sabotage of oil installations, and advising vigilance (f 5); a copy of a letter from Alexander Cadogan of the Foreign Office, dated 10 September 1940, enclosing two sets of precautions, entitled ‘Anti-sabotage precautions’ (f 11) and ‘Additional Precautions’ (f 12). The first set of precautions relates to the planting of explosives with delayed-action fuses in ship’s cargoes, with a list of the types of objects and containers in which explosives might be hidden, and what such explosive devices might look like. The second set of precautions describes measures taken to ensure security in relation to ship’s passengers, pilots, ship's stores, ventilators and portholes, loading/unloading at night.

Extent and format

1 file (11 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 13; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-12; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/2/660

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 28/1 J

History of this record

Date(s)

3 Dec 1939-10 Sep 1940 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Petroleum refineriesSabotageSecond World War (1939-1945)ExplosivesMerchant shipping

People & organisations

Bahrain Petroleum CompanyMiddle East Intelligence CentreForeign Office

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Cite this record in your research

‘File 28/1 J Sabotage to oil wells, etc’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/660, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000035> [accessed 11 March 2025]

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