File 10/5 II Hasa oil: CASOC's activities in Hasa; development of Ras Tannura; Political Agent's visit to Hasa [‎157r] (318/656)

-9«. \
rises gradually to a rocky plateau containing "rodJias' 1 or
fertile depressions In which fine grass and shrubs flourish
after rain; while west again of both the gravel plains and
the rocky plateau is the "dahana" or sand-dune country, on
the far side of which lies Hlyadh. The Company have found
that it is not excessively difficult to make tracks across
the "as-sudah" or sandy plain by means of a grader, though
such tracks are quickly cut up if narrow motor-car tyres are
used. Similarly they find that across most of the sabakhas
they can make good tracks by first driving light cars fitted
with desert tyres over them, gradually increasing the wAight
of the motor vehicles used, and finally using a grader. They
are using now four-wheel-drive cars and station waggons and
six-wheel-drive lorries (Autocars), all with wide low pressure
tyres | and there can be no doubt that if ever military opera
tions were undertaken in this area multiple wheel-drive vehicles
with broad low-pressure tyres would be essential.
■ » . , *•. * • ! ' , I " ' , ! .5 i .• > \ .
13. As I have mentioned above I hope to obtain a revised
map in a few months 1 time and if I do I will send it along
for reproduction.
14« I did not go south to Hofuf, though I hope to do so on
a future visit. The King 1 s personal invitation to me to visit
Biyadh next winter has been repeated and it might be possible
to take advantage of this to make a more leisurely tour of Hasa.
Yours sincerely,