‘File 28/23 American Naval Observer at Bahrain’

Content

The file comprises copies of correspondence and other papers relating to the initial proposals for, and subsequent appointment and activities of, United States Naval Observers in Bahrain. Correspondents include: the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior); 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. at Bahrain (Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban and Major Tom Hickinbotham); and various representatives of the Government of India, 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. , Foreign Office, and Combined Intelligence Service Iraq (CICI).

The file includes:

• correspondence dated between December 1940 and March 1941, in response to an application from the United States Chargé d’Affaires in London to Anthony Eden (then at the Foreign Office), dated 27 December 1940 (f 29) for the presence of a US Naval Observer at Bahrain. Subsequent correspondence records discussion of the application (and its consent) between officials in the British Government and the Government of India, the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and 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. at Bahrain. Points discussed include: the status of the Naval Observer in Bahrain; censorship and access to cypher facilities; British jurisdiction over the Naval Observer; the consent of the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, to the application (ff 3-32);
• telegrams and correspondence, dated June 1941, relating to the loss with no survivors of an aircraft, travelling between Baghdad and Basra, on which the US Naval Observer at Bahrain, Lieutenant Commander George W Grove, was travelling, to take up his post in Bahrain (ff 34-39);
• correspondence dated between August and November 1941, relating to Grove’s replacement, Lieutenant (J.G.) [Junior Grade] Derwood W Lockard: his appointment, arrival in Bahrain, and the US Naval Department’s desire to transfer his post to Basra, and possibly later on to Khorramshahr in Iran (ff 40-52);
• correspondence dated October 1943 and September 1944, relating to British naval officials’ observations and reports on the presence and activities of US Naval Observers in Bahrain, including a report marked Top Secret, prepared by the Security officer at Bahrain (Captain A C Campbell) dated 3 August 1944, on American intelligence activities at Bahrain, and their primary interest in oil production (ff 61-62), and a letter from the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Commodore John Montagu Howson) to the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Fleet, dated 27 September 1944, commenting on the American presence in the Gulf, its apparent commercial as well as military nature, with profiles of a number of US individuals encountered by the Senior Naval Officer (ff 64-66).

Extent and format

1 file (69 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. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 69-70) mirror the chronological arrangement.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 71; 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, intermittent foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-68; 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/15/2/715

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 28/23

History of this record

Date(s)

27 Dec 1940-1 Nov 1944 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Naval operationsPetroleum industrySecond World War (1939-1945)Military intelligence

People & organisations

United States NavyUnited States Naval Observer, Bahrain

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‘File 28/23 American Naval Observer at Bahrain’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/715, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x00006c> [accessed 8 November 2024]

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