'File 10/3 V Qatar Oil Concession' [‎202r] (421/527)

APPENDIX ’*C'\
Extracts from D.O. letter from Group captain R.E. Saul D.P.C.
to Air commodore A.D. Cunningham C.B.ii. (12/5/34).
We left here on Tuesday to do the Qatar Reconnaissance,
and on arrival at Bahrein I found that Loch had made arrangements
to transfer from the flying boats to the "Shoreham" at Odaid, and
was very vague as to the air programme thereafter.
I suggested to him that it would be much better for the
two sloops "Shoreham" and "Bideford” tomeet us at Doha at Mid
day on the 9th, where we could have a conference with shaikh
Abdullah bin Qasim Ath Thani and his representatives and go into
the matter of the landing ground at Riyan, to which Loch agreed.
I sent a signal to this effect to the S.N.G. who also agreed and
met us at Doha, in company with the "Bideford".
Provided permission was given I intended to mark out
the landing ground with some lime I had brought for the purpose,
and for one of the Wapitis of 84 Squadron to carry out a trial
landing.
However, the Shaikh's son called on the S.N.O. on the
afternoon of the 9th and apologised for the absence of his father,
who, he said, was sick, and had gone out into the country to a
place named Al Quhaib, which is some 35 miles N.N.W. of Doha.
Loch expressed his concern about the shaikh's illness, and offered
to take the ship's doctor to see him, but we were immediately
assured that it was a minor illness and that he would be alright
the following day.
Having called this bluff, we then made arrangements to
visit the Shaikh at Al Quhaib at 0600 hours on the morning of the
10th.
Next morning the Shaikh sent two cars, one with escort,
and colonel Loch, captain Browne of the "Bideford" (as the S.N.O.
had departed for Henjam the previous day) and myself proceeded
to Al Quhaib via Riyan, passing the proposed landing ground en
route. We found the Shaikh looking very healthy and fit, and
after discussing everything bu the landing ground for some time.
Loch eventually suggested the possibility of one of our aircraft
landing at Riyan to test the landing ground.
The Shaikh immediately became animated, and refused the
request, having his reasons ready, stating that he did not want
aircraft to land at Riyan, as there was no need for it and he
feared an accident, for which he might be held responsible.
Further, he said that when he had come to some agreement
about the oil with the companies concerned, and with us for
protection, he would be prepared to let aircraft land, but I
gather that this should not be construed into a definite promise.
After further discussion he did eventually, though some
what reluctantly, agree to us examining the landing ground at
Riyan on this way back to Doha.
The general impression I got at the conference was that
he expected tobe asked to allow our aircraft to land in his terri
tory, as his reasons against came out pat, and obviously other
influences had been brought to bear on him, and he was playing for