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‘File 7/5 Proposal to base R.A.F. squadron in Bahrain’ [65r] (135/224)
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.
Confidential
No. 0/271-7/5
From
Political
Agency
An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
f
Bahrain, the 24th April 1939.
Captain J. B. Howes, I.A.,
Assistant
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.
,
Bahrain.
The Air Officer Commanding,
British Forces in 'Iraq,
Habbaniyah.
I am directed to refer to your Command Accountant's
memorandum No. S.10688/CA dated the 4th April 1939, on the
subject of refund of customs duty on imported goods purchased
from local contractors, and to say that the basis on which
the request for customs exemption for the ^oyal Air Force was
made to and accepted by His Highness the Shaikh of Bahrain was
that the Royal Air Force should be treated on the same lines
as the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy (like the Political
Agency
An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
itself) have never sought more than exemption on goods con
signed direct to them, ^nd it was expected that the loyal Air
Force would fall into line with this system. It is, in fact,
not possible to extend the concession to transactions with
local contractors; 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.
does not understand
why the Command Accountant should see any necessity for It.
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your most obedient servant.
Di
Captain,
Assistant
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.
, Bahrain.
' c £
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’ [65r] (135/224), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/271, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023549862.0x000088> [accessed 5 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