![‘File 28/1 K I Defence of oil field and refinery’ [‎94r] (187/684)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000036/IOR_R_15_2_661_0187.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘File 28/1 K I Defence of oil field and refinery’ [‎94r] (187/684)")
‘File 28/1 K I Defence of oil field and refinery’ [94r] (187/684)
The record is made up of 1 file (340 folios). It was created in 5 Dec 1939-3 May 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.
1, The archipelago of BAHRAIN consists of the
island of BAHREIN which is approximately 30 miles
long from North to South and 10 miles wide. Also the
smaller islands of i UHARRAQ»SITRA,UMMNAASA,and NUBI-
SALEH.For the purpose of this appreciation only the
islands of BAHREIN f aiUHARRAQ and SITKA are considered,
BAHREIN island is mostly flat and low.The native
population of the island * is approximately 120,000,
of whom about three quarters are Shia Mahommedans
and mainly agricultural.The remainder including the
ruling family are Sunnis.
The chief town is MAN/UAH,at the North Eas—
tern corner of the island,with a population of 25,000#
Immediately oppsite UAHAMAH is the town of
/UHARRAQ on the island of OTHARAQ# A Causeway along
which runs a road stretches out to connect these town ;
and islands ,but there is at present a gap of 130 yards
in the causeway which has to be crobissed by boat. It is
anticipated that by about the end of 1939,this gap will
be reduced ir width and will be spanned by a swing bridge.
2. BAHREIN is ruled by a Shaikh who isAjtreaty re
lations with the Britsh Government .In brief the Shaikh
agrees to alienate no part of his territory except to
the British ,to conform to British policy and to accept
no help pecuniary or otherwise from any foreign power#
The Shaikh has a Brittish Advisor and there is a British
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.
• Air Headquarters,British Forces in
'Iraq also have an Air Liaison Officer in MANAMAH#
3# BAHREIN has always been of great importance to
Great Britain in view of its controlling position in
the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
•
In recent years the finding of oil,the formation
of an oil company ( The BAHREIN Petroleum CompanyLtd)
and the erection of a refinery has greatly increased this
importance#
Moreover in view of possible trouble in the Anglo
Iranian Oil Fields in the ev.nt of war, the oil fiels of
BAHREIN and Arabian Coast might become of vital importance
in the maintenance of the Empire oil fuel supplies#
4# The main reasons why the defence of BAHREIN must
be undertaken are:-
(a) The valuable oil fields and Refinery.
(b) The existence of the Jafair naval shore establi
shments.
(c) Its importance as a landing ground and alighting^t 4 W^^. 0 U
the main Empire air route.
(d) The fact that it has been decided to station a
R.A.F. flight on the island of MUHARRAQ.
(e) The fact that it has been selected aa the future
location of 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.
.
(f) The partial guarantee of protection given by the
British Government.
5# It has been ruled that the question of air attack
or attack by sea need not be considered and this appre
ciation only deals with possible tribal attack and sabotage.
About this item
- Content
The file comprises copies of correspondence, memoranda and reports relating to the military defence of Bahrain’s oil refineries and oil fields during the Second World War. The principal correspondents in the file are: 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. in Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban); the Chief Local Representative of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) (John S Black; Roger Anthony Kennedy; Milton H Lipp; Ward P Anderson).
The file includes:
- a copy of ‘General Instructions for the Defence Organisation of the Bahrain Petroleum Company’, dated December 1939 (ff 9-52), with sections focusing on: 1) the internal and external areas of the refinery; 2) the personnel camps at Awali and Zellaq; 3) fields and wells; information on inventories of equipment, and specific instructions for patrols and guards;
- correspondence from BAPCO representatives 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. relating to: the perceived threat to Bahrain and to Company property, and defensive measures to be taken; assessments of the threat of internal sabotage, local uprisings, bombardment from sea or air (ff 68-71); questions of responsibility for and efficacy of defensive measures being taken in Bahrain; questions of the legal aspects (liability, compensation, War Risk Insurance) of damage to Company property from enemy attack, and volunteers who become casualties while defending Company property, including printed copies of the Gazetteer of India War Injuries Ordinance , No. VII of 1941 (ff 235-237) and the War Injuries (Amendment) Ordinance , No. I of 1942 (ff 238-249);
- correspondence exchanged, and the notes and minutes of meetings held between senior Government officials (including 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. , Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Air Vice Marshal at Air Headquarters in Iraq) on the provision of resources for the defence of Bahrain, including discussion of the availability and use of manpower supplied by BAPCO;
- a number of monthly progress reports in 1941 on the Bahrain defence scheme, prepared by the Defence Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (ff 143-144, ff 146-147, ff 162-164, ff 177-179), referring to: defence force recruitment; the volunteer defence force; general morale and attitude of recruits; equipment supplies; anti-aircraft defence measures;
- in 1941, plans for the control of telephone exchanges and lines during emergencies, with lists of telephone links to be maintained during an emergency (ff 182-183);
- plans and proposals for the protection of BAPCO property in the event of enemy action, including: in 1942, BAPCO proposals for the protection of the oil field in case it falls into enemy hands, by the sealing of wells with concrete (ff 270-294); a military report on Passive Air Defence (PAD) at the BAPCO refinery, dated 28 April 1942, focussing chiefly on plans to construct protective sheathing around the refinery tanks (ff 304-323).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (340 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. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 326-341) mirror the chronological arrangement.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 342; 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. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 3-341; these numbers are also written in pencil, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
‘File 28/1 K I Defence of oil field and refinery’ [94r] (187/684), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/661, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025780132.0x0000bc> [accessed 30 July 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025780132.0x0000bc
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025780132.0x0000bc">‘File 28/1 K I Defence of oil field and refinery’ [‎94r] (187/684)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025780132.0x0000bc"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000036/IOR_R_15_2_661_0187.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000036/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/2/661
- Title
- ‘File 28/1 K I Defence of oil field and refinery’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:6v, 52v:56v, 59r:67v, 72r:87v, 91r:91v, 93r:98v, 100r:115v, 117r:127v, 129r:150v, 152r:153v, 157r:175v, 177r:184v, 187r:187v, 189r:190v, 193r:193v, 195r:200v, 204r:207v, 209r:211v, 213r:217v, 220r:220v, 222r:270v, 272r:276v, 279r:298v, 301r:309v, 311r:341v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence