‘File 28/15 Submarine Menace’ [‎33r] (65/116)

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CONCLUSI ON ♦
l6o It ia possible that the enemy are equally interested in
the Arabian coast as a source of supplies for submarines© Up to
the present, however, no reports have been received of any enemy
activity affecting the coast or hinterland of Oman# There are
certain advantages perhaps, which the Persian coast can offer,
such as a more numerous and varied population, a greater
abundance of local supplies and a number of trained agents already
established, who might be expected to assist in setting up a supply
system with local fishing craft#
17 0 it is perhaps fortunate that, as far as can be ascertained
the enemy agents in Persia are nearly all German controlled, while
the submarines are presumably Japanese#
18o Similarly the interests of the Japanese and Germans in
this area are by no means identical; in fact, Naser Khan, the
qashgai tribal leader although willing to intrigue woth the
Germans, is reliably reported to have said that he would fight
against the Japanese if they landed. Both Germany and Japan may
have ambitions for Persia in their New Order and these different
ambitions cannot easily be reconciled# For this reason it is
felt that any co-ordinated action by the Axis in this area is
unlikely. It is probable that all instances of submarine
activity in this area were really Japanese, and that they were
reported as German in error#
it should be explained here that by making submarine to
shore contact the enemy/secure several advantages for his ^would
organisations on land in addition to the help that such contacts
would give to his submarines. The submarines could supply
instructions, W/T transmitters, and personnel in exchange for
information, food and petrol.
2 o # it is of interest to note that reliable reports have been
received from India of similar submarine activity off the South
coast of India. At the end of September 1942, Indians employed
as Japanese agents landed on the coast of South India fioc
Japanese submarines and were later captured. Deep sea fishermen
from South India are said to have frequently met Japanese
submarines while at their fishing ground. It is also reported
from India that enemy submarines have been sighted in the last few
months off both the Bast (Per.) A Persian custom allowing an individual to seek asylum at a designated location. and West coasts of India# v .
2i 0 There have also been unconfirmed reports fi'om India cl
parties being landed to buy provisions, of signals from
submarines to shore and vice versa and of fur^er agents having
been landed in India.
22© Comparison between this information received from India
and that recently received independently from South Persia
strengthens the belief that the Japanese, at least, are preparing
to increase their submarine activity in that part of the Arabian
Sea adjoining the Gulf of Oman. It is difficult to believe that
all these reports of submarine to shore contacts are merely
rumours, started perhaps by the enemy.
23. Steps are being taken to reduce the danger of submarines
making contacts with the shore in this area, by improving our
Security control over the adjoining coast and ove^. the local
native oraft. To assist in this work it is important that al^
reports of submarine activity in this area should be reported by
signal to S.N.O.P.G. and this Centre.
24 0 This Security Paper is issued with the approval of
S.N.O.P.G. and must not be reproduced without prior reference to
S.N.O.P.G. and to this Centre.
Sd. H.F. Dawson Shepherd
S/Ld
for Colonel, Head of C.I.C.I#