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‘File 7/5 Proposal to base R.A.F. squadron in Bahrain’ [16br] (37/224)
The record is made up of 1 file (109 folios). It was created in 27 Jun 1935-29 Nov 1943. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
i
Private and Personal #
Dated the 3l8t March 1938.
Please refer to your demi-official letter No. 37/1938
dated the 1st Tarch 1938.
2. I have looked Into this matter and I am afraid there Is
little hope of preparing the way privately for a later official
approach In regard to exemption of customs on Royal Air Force
stores.
3. K'y files show 9 and Belgrave confirms lt f that when the
Navy came across here the exemption question lead to a great
deal of rather Ill-tempered bickering| and In fact the Shaikh
only gave way to what he regarded as force majeure. Unfortu
nately he regards It as a matter of principle and I am afr Id
that a fresh approach at this stage on behalf of the Hoyal Air
#
Force may serve only to revive rather bitter memories.
4. Purely as a personal suggestion I think the matter might
well be simplified If an approach on the subject of customs ex
emption were made Incidental to a definite undertaking to locate
a pennanent Royal Air Force unit here. The Shaikh Is concerned
at the state of world politics} and a proposal that Royal Air
Force aircraft should be stationed In Bahrain within a specific
period on condition that he w ould grant customs exemption on all
Government scores for the operation of those aircraft might well
be successful. I realise the difficulty of making such a propo
sal at the present Juncture, but I gather It is Intended In due
course to locate at least a flight here and I would advise delay-
Ing the customs question until the main matter becomes a more Im
mediate prospect.
5. The above| of course| represents purely my personal view.
I apologise for taking so long to reply.
Yours slncerely f
Vice-Marshal C.L.Courtney,
C .B. f C«B.L.| D.S.O.|
Air Officer Commanding
British Forces In Iraq,
Dhlbban.
. -
a
About this item
- Content
The file contains correspondence and blueprint plans, related to the acquisition of land at Muharraq for the establishment of a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Bahrain. The plan to establish an RAF squadron at Bahrain was precipitated by the relocation of Squadron 203 from Basra to Aden, with Bahrain identified as a practical central base for the protection of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The correspondence discusses: plans to expand the existing aerodrome at Muharraq; questions over whether customs should be paid by the RAF in Bahrain, as charged by the Bahrain Government; the proximity of property owned by Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah to the site proposed for acquisition; the cost of the acquisition of land; and arrangements for the construction of the RAF base. Enclosed in the file are three blueprint maps showing the proposed areas for acquisition and development at Muharraq, in relation to local properties and villages (folios 104a-106).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (109 folios)
- Arrangement
The contents of the file have been arranged in approximately chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the file to the latest at the rear. There is a set of office notes towards the end of the file (folios 87-103), which mirror the chronological arrangement. Three fold-out maps have been placed at the end of the file (folios 104a-06). Circled index numbers in red crayon and ink can be found throughout the file, and refer to the office notes.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation sequence begins on the front cover and ends on the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, and can be found 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. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1 and 1A; 16, 16a, 16b, and 104a.
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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‘File 7/5 Proposal to base R.A.F. squadron in Bahrain’ [16br] (37/224), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/271, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023549862.0x000026> [accessed 4 June 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/2/271
- Title
- ‘File 7/5 Proposal to base R.A.F. squadron in Bahrain’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 1ar:1av, 2r:16v, 16ar:16bv, 17r:27v, 30r:33v, 35r:41v, 42v, 43v, 45r:69v, 71r:73v, 75r:77v, 79r:81v, 82v, 84r:104v, 106ar:106av, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence