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‘File 28/1 I Defence against parachutists, obstruction of aerodromes and landing grounds, etc’ [2r] (3/40)
The record is made up of 1 file (18 folios). It was created in 1 Jun 1940-13 Feb 1942. It was written in English. 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.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
Department.
SECRET
EXPRESS LETTER (AIR MAIL).
[N.B. — Tki*
Office of 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.
, Gamp Shiraz
No. C/284
the 12th August 19 40*
To
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.
, Bahrain
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.
, Muscat.
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.
, Kuwait.
A copy of Government of India Express Letter No.L.4105
P/40 dated the 5th July 1940, together with its enclosure, is
forwarded for your information.
Defence Officer
2. You should consider in conjunction with —^
Military Adviser
whether it is necessary to take any action within your juris-
diction on the lines indicated. My view is that whereas there
is no objection to drawing up plans for use in case of emergency,
the risk of attack by parachute troops is at present so slight
that nothing should be done which would be likely to (cause
panic amongst the local inhabitants, or to suggest in any way
that such attack was imminent.
Sd. C.G. PRIOR
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
Attested
i ^
for Secretary to the Political
Resident in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.
S. 44.
MFP—985 27-11 -36—10.000.
I
About this item
- Content
The file comprises copies of correspondence and memoranda containing guidance relating to the perceived threat of enemy troops parachuting into British-Indian territory. Though the threat is most strongly perceived in the north-western provinces of India and Baluchistan, the guidance was distributed to Britain’s political agencies in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including Bahrain.
The file includes: a copy of a Government of India letter, dated 5 July 1940, discussing the vulnerability of stations on the northwest frontier of India, with suggestions for passive air defence measures, and precautions to be taken against parachutists (paratroopers) (ff 3-4); a note from the General Staff, dated 1 June 1940, outlining the nature of parachute attacks (f 5); a note outlining active defence measures to be taken against paratroopers, including permanent guards and the placement of obstructions on landing grounds (f 6); a copy of a secret memorandum from the Government of India, dated 30 July 1940, stating that no landing grounds should be obstructed without prior reference to the Government of India External Affairs Department (f 8); copies of telegrams relating to difficulties encountered in ascertaining the identities of air crews at some landing grounds (f10), with proposals for photograph identity cards to be carried by aircrews, a specimen of which is included (f 11); a copy of a letter from the Under Secretary to the Government of India, dated 18 December 1942, drawing attention to the success of ‘fifth column’ exercises in Northern Command, and requesting that ‘provincial governments’ assess their arrangements for weaknesses that may leave them prone to fifth column activities (ff 18-19).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (18 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 20; 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 2-19; 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 View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/2/659
- Title
- ‘File 28/1 I Defence against parachutists, obstruction of aerodromes and landing grounds, etc’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:19v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence