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‘File 28/35 Defence of Qatar’ [12r] (23/150)
The record is made up of 1 file (73 folios). It was created in 6 Feb 1939-20 Aug 1941. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
rendered serviceable for old type aircraft and night be extended by
400 yards in length and 100 yards in width by means of levelling.
To my mind large amount of levelling would be necessary before it
could be made serviceable for modern aircraft, but as I am a flying-
boat pilot and have little or no knowledge of modern aircraft, I
would prefer to have an expert opinion before definitely approving
of, or condemning this area. The hard and stony nature of this sub
soil would render any levelling an expensive and slow undertaking and
at present the company has no apparatus capable of carrying out this
work, though no doubt if oil is discovered they will have grader and
tractor etc.
I studied DOHAT ZEKRIT carefully on my arrival and departure
in the launch and in the afternoon of my second day in QATAR and came
to the conclusion that the area is perfectly suitable for flying
boats. A run of 2000 yards can be obtained into the prevailing wind
and of 700 yards 1TE/S" r direction. The average depth of this run is
8 to 10 ft., a good anchorage is obtainable in lj fathoms at low
water springs, with sandy bottom, about 200 yards 350° True from the
end of the jetty. The IC T 0R, though open is protected by shoals at
the mouth and though a short steep sea may be raised by strong
northerlies, it will be impossible for a swell to work up. If
regular use by flying boat is contemplated a few buoys showing the
limits of the deep water should be laid down. The depth of water at
the pier head at low tide is about 4 ft., the average rise and fall of
the tide is in the region of 3 ft. There is a crane at the end of the
jetty capable of handling weights up to three tons; the jetty is
connected to the camp by telephone.
The camp has a Tireless Station, the particulars of which
are as follows :-
Gall Sign :- DOH.
normal working wave length of :- 745 meters.
Honrs of working;- 0600 & 1000 G.M.T.
(This watch carried out with Gable and 'ireless, BAHREIIi) .
Transmitter :- Marconi type TT5C1
Power :- i- K.7.
Range of wave length 12 - 2000 meters.
Type of transmission :- CV/, ICT.7 or telephony.
The wireless operator is an ex-R.A.P. wireless operator
mechanic.
In conclusion it is considered that areas ’’B 1 ' and "C" could
be used by experienced pilots in old type aircraft such as "Vincents"
without further work, other than marking out. There is no site
suitable for landing ground for modem aircraft without extensive
levelling operations. As the company are desirous of constructing
an aerodrome for their own use if oil is found, I suggest that we
wait until oil is found as we shall not want a landing ground on this
site if the oil is a failure. The Company will construct a landing
ground to our requirements for their own and our use. In this case
I suggest site "A" treated with either oil or bitumen.
I enclose one map of QATAR for retention, and a tracing
of the map from which I want three blue prints made and the tracing
returned, and a copy of a chart of DOHAT ES ZEKRIT which I want
copied and four copies sending to me as this one has been borrowed
from P.D.Q. Ltd., who want it returned.
Sgd. R. GOATES.
Squadron Leader,
Air Liaison Officer,
BAHREIII.
About this item
- Content
The file, while entitled ‘Defence of Qatar’, chiefly concerns the issue of six rifles and 1,200 rounds of small arms ammunition (SAA) to British personnel employed by Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) in Qatar during the war. The principal correspondents in the file 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. at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban) and the Manager of PCL at Bahrain (Ernest Vincent Packer).
The file includes:
- correspondence relating to a report, entitled an ‘Appreciation of the Defence of Qatar against tribal attack and sabotage’ prepared by staff at Air HQ in Iraq, and sent to 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. on 6 February 1939 (f 2). A copy of the report is not included in the file, however, 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. at Bahrain’s comments on the report are (ff 3-5);
- a copy of a report prepared by the Air Liaison Officer at Bahrain (R Coates) in July 1939, being a reconnaissance of possible landing grounds and flying boat mooring areas at Dohat-es-Zekrit [Zikrīt] (ff 11-12);
- correspondence dated September 1939, relating to protection for British personnel working on the Qatar oil field, and a request by 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. at Bahrain to the Air Officer Commanding at Bahrain, for six rifles and SAA to be loaned to PCL’s British employees in Qatar (ff 13-19). Later correspondence, dated June and July 1941, details the eventual receipt of the rifles and ammunition by PCL (f 21, f 26), a rifle register (f 28), and a note written by the PCL Manager, describing the poor condition of the rifles (f 32);
- correspondence dated July 1939, relating to PCL’s plans to close down their operations in Qatar and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , including: copies of letters from 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. in Bahrain to the Rulers of Qatar and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , informing them of PCL’s closure of operations (ff 47-54); the return of the six rifles and ammunition to the Defence Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Major H T Hewitt), the latter’s complaint at the poor condition of the rifles, and the PCL Manager’s response that the rifles had been received in poor condition (ff 57-59).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (73 folios)
- Arrangement
The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 69-74) mirror the chronological arrangement.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 75; 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 1-74; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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‘File 28/35 Defence of Qatar’ [12r] (23/150), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/728, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025656362.0x000018> [accessed 24 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/2/728
- Title
- ‘File 28/35 Defence of Qatar’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:21v, 23r:25v, 30r:31v, 33r:34v, 36r:39v, 45r:57v, 60r:74v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence