'F.85 File 82/27-IV Qatar Oil' [‎150r] (308/422)

/8.
Appendix "A" . // $"(
COPY , v --
secret .
ffrom!"' •^ 0# ^ (Boiiiber) Squadron.
Shaibah, 'Iraq.
m o: - Air Headquarters,
British Forces in 'Iraq.
Date j_ 14th May, 1934.
Re f;- 84/60/Air.
Subject:- REPORT ON RECONNAISSANCE OVER QATAR
PENINSULA ON 9>5.1954.
A flight of four Wapitis left MUHARRAQ at
0205 hours G-.M.T, on 9th May, 1934, to make a reconnaissance
of the southern central area of the QATAR PENINSULA. The
reconnaissance commenced at the southern end of DOHAT-AL-
HUSSAIN at 0244 hours G. M.T # Copies of photographs taken
will "be forwarded as soon as possible, a list of them is
contained in Appendix "A".
2, An approximate course was steered for RAIYAN and
DOHAH. One aircraft flew at 6,000 feet for the purpose of
carrying out vertical photography. Conditions, however,
proved unfavourable in most places dur to the presence of a
mist haze laying at approximately 1,000 feet. The other
three aircraft flew between 500 and 1,000 feet for purposes
of observation and oblique photography.
3, The peninsula appeared from the air to be hard
sand with hummocks, and plenty of camel-thorn and bushes round
which sofe sand had formed mounds large enough to prevent a
safe landing over almost the entire stretch of country. The
whole area is covered with dried water holes and there are
several patches green with grass and trees, 'so that water
appears to be near the surface in very many places.
4, A small encampment was passed, about three miles
south-east of DOHAT-AL-HUSSAIN. Another camp of several tents
was seen a further three miles on this course. Course was
then altered to approximately north-east to regain the original
track.
5, On reaching GHAPAT eight tents, including one
white one, were observed. The three low flying pilots were of
the opinion that GHAPAT was approximately seven miles south
sast of it's position as shown on the sketch map.
6, One mile to the north of GHAFAT were sixteen to
twenty tents and a car (a van). There were apparently no wells
to the immediate vicinity of this camp. A few miles to the
west a well—marked car track was first seen, which ran from
®APAT to RAIYAN and DOHAH.
^ a large well, mined buildings, grass and trees
seen at WAJAIBAH, about three miles west of RAIYAN.
photographs were taken of this and also a piece of apparently
uat ground slightly north# The latter was considered fit for
inverting into a landing ground.