'File 2/6 KARACHI-ADEN AIR ROUTE. II-A/8'

IOR/R/15/6/84

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The record is made up of 1 volume (204 folios). It was created in 2 Aug 1942-20 Apr 1943. 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. .

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Content

The volume contains correspondence in the form of telegrams, and letters related to the air facilities/landing grounds at Salalah, Masirah and Ras Al-Hadd used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the work in progress there.

Among the issues discussed in the correspondence are the following: providing workers and artisans for the building of extra accommodation at Ras Al-Hadd and Masirah; ships loading and unloading; workers fleeing to Muscat; the shooting of an Arab man by one of the sentries at Ras Al-Hadd; the recruitment of an Arab guard at Ras Al-Hadd; the hiring of the Shaikh of Dubai’s launch; the payments of Shaikh Said bin Sultan and Shaikh Khamis bin Hilal of Masirah; and Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and South Arabian Coast Policy.

The volume contains correspondence related to the payment of customs duty on goods and equipment imported into the State of Muscat and Oman in connection with the organisation of the Karachi-Aden Air Route. It also contains reports and nine appendixes (ff 93-111) on the landing grounds at Masirah and Ras Al-Hadd. Those reports and appendixes are prepared by G S Cooper, Civil Engineer, Air Headquarters, Iraq. Among the issues covered in the reports are the following: runways; progress of work; nature of ground; dispersal; water supply; bomb and petrol storage, as well as staff and labour.

The volume also includes correspondence with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) providing statements for lists of goods imported to Masirah for the period between April and December. The volume also contains correspondence regarding communication with the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, and his views on the following: the work in progress at the landing grounds; the RAF’s plan to establish a flying boat base at Raisut (Raysut); digging a well in the RAF camp and the terms of the water agreement, raising the price of labourers, customs’ regulations; and the behaviour of the RAF staff at Salalah.

The main 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; the Assistant 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. , Salalah; Air Headquarters, Iraq; 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. , Bushire; and J H Campbell, Executive Engineer, Government of India, New Delhi.

Workers are referred to in the volume as ' coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. ' [a pejorative term used by the British to refer to a non-British labourer].

Extent and format
1 volume (204 folios)
It is grouped into
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume. Folios 181-200 are file notes.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 200; 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
Type
Archival file

Archive information for this record

Access & Reference

Original held at
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.
Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference
IOR/R/15/6/84
Former external reference(s)
Subject Files: File 2/6 II-A/8

History of this record

Date(s)
2 Aug 1942-20 Apr 1943 (CE, Gregorian)

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'File 2/6 KARACHI-ADEN AIR ROUTE. II-A/8', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/84, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x0002dc> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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