'File 2/21 R.A.F. landing ground at Beit al Falaj (Petrol Store at Muscat).’

Content

The file contains correspondence in the form of letters and telegrams that are mainly related to the extension of the Royal Air Force (RAF) landing ground at Bait Al-Falaj (also spelled Beit Al-Falaj in the correspondence), Muscat. The work on the extension had been necessitated by the Second World War owing to the high landing speed of modern military aircraft.

The file includes correspondence regarding the supply of materials, workers, and equipment which were to be supplied by Khimji Ramdas contractors.

The file includes communications between the Air Ministry and the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , Muscat in order to obtain the approval of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman for the work to take place. It also includes telegrams from the Government of India (Independent India) to the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , Muscat asking for the Sultan’s permission for charter flights to land at Salalah and to fly over the Muscat territory.

The correspondence in the file also contains notifications that the runway at Muscat was unserviceable and required immediate attention. It also includes drawings and maps of Bait Al-Falaj landing ground showing the proposed extension and road diversions.

The main correspondents in the file are: Headquarters British Forces, Iraq; the Royal Air Force, Masirah; the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , Muscat; the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , Bushire and Bahrain; and the Government of Muscat and Oman.

Extent and format

1 file (148 folios)

It is grouped into

‘BEIT AL FALAJ L. G. MUSCAT’

4 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/6/99, f 6

‘MUSCAT BAIT AL FALAJ LANDING GROUND’

4 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/6/99, f 26

‘SKETCH MAP OF BAIT AL FALAJ AREA’

7 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/6/99, ff 148-149

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Folios 135-147 are file notes.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 150; 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.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic 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/15/6/99

Former external reference(s)

Subject Files: File 2/21 [cont]

History of this record

Date(s)

17 Feb 1938-17 May 1948 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Air forceCivil aviationAirfields

Places

Bait al-FalajMasirah

People & organisations

Khimji Ramdas GroupSultan of Muscat and Oman, Āl Bū Sa'īd DynastyRoyal Air Force

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Cite this record in your research

'File 2/21 R.A.F. landing ground at Beit al Falaj (Petrol Store at Muscat).’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/99, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x0002eb> [accessed 8 January 2025]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x0002eb

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