!['File 2/10 1 II. AVIATION. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay Etc. AIR ROUTE.' [‎202r] (414/474)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x0002de/IOR_R_15_6_86_0414.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.' [‎202r] (414/474)")
'File 2/10 1 II. AVIATION. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay Etc. AIR ROUTE.' [202r] (414/474)
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.
^ /fa$Y~<z
rererenc^ to your letter Secret
No. C/114 dated 15th February 1950.
' 1 enclose a letter from Thomas, the finance
Minister. He wrote it after consulting H.H. and I have
discussed the question personally with H.H. since
receipt of Thomas’s letter. You are evidently tackling
a tough proposition. The Sultan’s ~rit does not run
eastward of Has Hasik and between here and Masireh is
the ’~orst stretch of coast Hiere H.H. seems to think
you "’ill not be able to land without getting shot up.
H.H. considers your best course would be to
cultivate friendly relations with the Sheikh of Masireh
in the first instance. He thinks if you w ent there by
flying boat once or twice, obtaining refuelling from
a boat, then, after having estaolished a friendly
footing with the .Sheikh and obtained his permission
for a petrol store or landing grounjp on the island, you
might in course of time be able to win over the wild
tribes between Masireh and Dhofar. He thinks this " f ill
take three or four years at least.
Zy Any too precipitate attempt to do so or even
to broach the subject too quickly with the Sheikh of
Masireh, might lead to the formation of opposition which
hinder your purpose for a considerable period. Thomas
has traversed the tract principally with the aid of the
Sheikh of Masireh and no doubt H.H.’s advice is sound.
Without the assistance of this Sheikh you would achieve
little.
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
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:ii-v, 1r:27v, 29r:48v, 52r:57v, 60r:65v, 70r:71v, 74r:77v, 131r:134v, 136r:140v, 144r:144v, 149r:162v, 167r:173v, 175r:177v, 181r:184v, 188r:203v, 207r:219r, 220r:228v, iii-r:iv-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence