"ملف ٧/٦ I مهبط الكويت" [و‎‎١‎٦] (٥٢٤/٣٦)

Copy of letter No. 7277/29, dated the 23rd July 192®,
from The Air Staff Officer, Air Headquarters, Iraq
Command, Royal Air S’orce, Baghdad, to the Ron*Me the
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bus hire.
t>
LAHDI1TG GROUNDS AND PLYING BOAT ANCHORAGES
IN THE PERSIAN GULF.
1, I am directed to'forward to you the following
information about the above mentioned facilities in the
Persian Gulf,
2 P The Provisional scheme for the development of
the land route to India, as far as it applies to the
Persian Gulf is
Shaibah.
Kuwait.
Bahrain.
Abu Dibai.
Muscat. (Muttrah Bay I.
3, These are the main aerodromes and refuelling
depots, but it is also intended subsequently to establish
intermediate landing grounds with fuel stocks at
Some point on the Hasa Coast.
Yas Island.
Sohar„
4 e As you have already been informed, Air Marshal
Sir Geoffrey Salmond is being flown from Iraq to India
early in August, and on the ratum flight, Officer Commands
ing No, 203 (P.B.) Squadron has been instructed to land at !
all the places manAioned in paragraphs 2 and 3, with the
exception of the Hasa Coast, to make further inspections oi
landing grounds, During his previous visits to these
places he has been more concerned with their suitability
as Flying Boat anchorages,
5, It would be greatly appreciated if you could
inform your Agents in these areas that Officer Commanding
No. 203 (F.B.) Squadfbn would be grateful for any assist
ance that could be given him with regard to the tenancy of
ground he proposes to use, rents of store houses for fuel,
issuing warnings against encroachments, and the various
queries that always arise. The probable dateof his
return to Muscat should xim be about August 10th.
6, The importance of this air route in the near
future needs no stressing and it is highly probable that
in a few years, the internal situation in Persia will
make the route by the No them Chores of the Persian Gulf
too uncertain if not actually dangeruus* The adoption of
these halting places will add materially to tlie trade and
importance of the rulers in whose territory the landing
grounds are situated. In this connection I may add that
it would be a potent argument with the Shaikh of Bahrain
if it was impressed upon him Hi at the establi aliment of
the special air service for the pearling trade for which ia
he has asked would undoubtedly befawilitated by the
pro vis ion