'File 35/64 Mineral deposits in Dhofar' [‎8r] (17/126)

to India, by the Air Transport Command of the United States Army
Air Forces for the transport of personnel and freight to India as
well as by eastbound American reinforcement aircraft. The monsoon
clouds make landing difficult from July to September, but aircraft
continued to use the field without mishap throughout last summer
with no blind landing equipment. Such equipmentjis, however, now
being installed and it is hoped that aircraft will have no
difficulty in using the field all the year round,
SECURITY ,
The Sultan has himself undertaken responsibility for the
safety of Allied personnel from local molestation and has supplied
police guards for the purpose. Allied personnel are required to
observe strict rules of behaviour designed to prevent incidents
with the local people which have, during the last year, been
remarkably few.
A company of Indian troops has been posted for the
protection of the aerodrome against external attack.
of sci:^n?ic int2h2st .
The area contains much of interest to the scientist.
The Anthropology, Natural History, Botany and Music of Dhufar
have been noted on in the appendicesto Mr. Bertram Thomas' book
"Arabia Felix". Mr. Thomas had also written on the Philology of
Dhufar but the area still presents, I believe, a virgin field
for the palaeontologist, and there are some very fine caves to
interest the speleologist.
For the archaeologist there are the ruins of impressive
stone fortifications and spacious villas at Balid and Robat.
Those at Balid are moated and contain an easily distinguished
basillica.
sfoht .
The sea off Dhufar offers unrivalled sea fishing during
the v/inter months and excellent duck shooting is to be had on the
numerous fresh water creeks along the coast.