!['File 2/10 1 II. AVIATION. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay Etc. AIR ROUTE.' [‎93r] (196/474)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x0002de/IOR_R_15_6_86_0196.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "'File 2/10 1 II. AVIATION. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay Etc. AIR ROUTE.' [‎93r] (196/474)")
'File 2/10 1 II. AVIATION. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay Etc. AIR ROUTE.' [93r] (196/474)
The record is made up of 1 volume (233 folios). It was created in 23 Dec 1926-22 Dec 1931. 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.
I&i)
no authority.
The chain of evented whicJi dashed Biraini from
our hands and gave us M4HAX>H2)H, though diahe^tening six to
the party at the time, may conceivably be regarded by the
Royal ktr Force .tuthoritiea as luck of the expedition.
Vhe locating of this midway landing ground and the explor-
-ation of all the terrain to the Eastward entitle Squadron
Leader Keith and his two officers to the credit of having
accomplished 70# of the work of opening up the Air Route in
this area under desert conditions to which they were not
accustomed and amidst considerable tribal unrest. It is
questionable indeed whether they have not accomplished all
there is to accomplish f on the ground* having regard to
.vrab information which renders doubtful the existence of a
potential landing ground (at any rate along the caravan
road) amidst the roiling sand hills, in parts 100 feet high,
midway through the sector to the west of Abu Dhabi.
The unpopularity of the Air route is impersonal:
it was not reflected by hostility to us personally.
l venture to offer the following views which I S N I ^|
have arrived at after numerous conversations with almost ^
every type of rab encountered on the Journey.
1 . £rom the outset there was a spirit abroad through
Peninsular Oman antagonistic to the Air project. This
arises from a belief that the Air koute will bring in its
train a tightening up of British control which is regarded
by Shaikhs as inimical to their self-interest.
2 . Cman proper being unaffected, and traditionally
at loggerheads with the PKAHIRAH, the enquiries of IS v BIN
SALIH and BAHUHX
PASHA
An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
have no particular significance.
3. The source of the opposition is B in YAH. bu
Dhabi and Dibai, in paying lip service and writing ostensib
ly helpful letters, cloak and dissemble: in reality they
are at the bottom of the , wire pulling*.
hey wee in the
Air
About this item
- Content
The volume contains correspondence related to the Air Staff Intelligence, Air Headquarters, Baghdad’s request for information to be obtained from Muscat regarding the possible establishment of a subsidiary air route from Iraq to India via the Arabian side of the Gulf. The required information was concerning the straight line Mirfah-Biraimi-Khaburah. Arrangements were made for some Royal Air Force (RAF) representatives to visit the region accompanied by a doctor, and Bertram Sidney Thomas, Financial Advisor to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.
The correspondence contains information on the estimates of the cost of the journey including hire of camels; cost of feeding men and camels; presents to be given to the Shaikhs; wages and foodstuffs, coffee etc.
Letters were sent to various Shaikhs and Walis in Sohar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Baraimi [Buraimi] and other regions, asking them to assist the Royal Air Officers while conducting their work. The correspondence contains letters of certain Shaikhs such as Shaikh Salim bin Diyin [Dayyin] Al-Ka‘bi and Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih Al-Ḥārithī [Al Harthi] negotiating the terms for them to accept the RAF work to take place. It also contains reports about the troubles made by some of the Bedouin tribes.
Bertram Sidney Thomas reported on his observation on the proposed seaplane flight along the south Arabian coast. He also sent a report (ff 82- 130) to the Sultan and 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. on the proceedings of the RAF Trans-Oman Expedition which he conducted from Sohar to Sharjah between 12 May and 3 June 1927. The report is in two parts covering the following: preliminary situation; itinerary of expedition; description of country passed through; tribal situation and Ibn Saud; personalities; tribal considerations and the air route.
The volume also includes correspondence with the Sultan of Socotra regarding the construction of landing ground in his territory near Qishn. It also includes correspondence about the Air Ministry’s interest in extending the reconnaissance to establish landing grounds along the southern coast of Arabia.
Among other correspondents in the volume 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. , Muscat; Muscat and Oman, Council of Ministers; and C Hilton Keith, Squadron Leader RAF, Sohar.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (233 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 229; 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/6/86
- Title
- 'File 2/10 1 II. AVIATION. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay Etc. AIR ROUTE.'
- Pages
- 72r:73v, 79r:130v, 135r:135v, 141r:143v, 163r:166v, 174r:174v, 178r:180v, 204r:206v
- Author
- Thomas, Bertram Sidney
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- The copyright status is unknown. Please contact [email protected] with any information you have regarding this item.