![Coll 5/48 ‘Afghanistan: Supply of military aircraft to the Afghan Government; Supply of maps etc. to the Afghan Govt.’ [‎142r] (283/1019)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x00021b/IOR_L_PS_12_2001_0284.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "Coll 5/48 ‘Afghanistan: Supply of military aircraft to the Afghan Government; Supply of maps etc. to the Afghan Govt.’ [‎142r] (283/1019)")
Coll 5/48 ‘Afghanistan: Supply of military aircraft to the Afghan Government; Supply of maps etc. to the Afghan Govt.’ [142r] (283/1019)
The record is made up of 1 file (508 folios). It was created in 25 Jan 1935-28 Feb 1936. It was written in English. 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.
f
s
- 2 -
replied that there would he no objection so far as he could see
to the delivery of eight in May, though delivery of two per
month as from February was what had been agreed to between the
respective Governments, Alternatively, he saw no objection to
the delivery of four in March and four in May if the Afghans
preferred it. It seemed to him that it was a matter for
discussion between Mohammed Ihsan and his Prime Minister.
The discussion then veered to Lewis Guns, Ammunition
and Spare Parts for the Lewis and Vickers Guns, and Mohammed
Ihsan was told that there was unlikely to be any difficulty with
regard to the supply of guns or ammunition, and with regard to
spare parts for the guns, it was believed that they would be a
natural and integral part of the contract.
Air Vice-Marshal Courtney then told Mohammed Ihsan, in
reply to his query, that he would gladly put him into touch
with firms responsible for instruments for the measurement of
the strength and direction of wind, which were required for
Kabul Aerodrome. He would also arrange for the address of the
firm making oil filtration plant to be communicated to the Afghan
Legation, while with regard to flying clothing, he would ask
Messrs. Hawkers to get into touch with the firm and quote for
the clothing required.
A discussion then ensued regarding the delivery of
the , Hind t aircraft to Kabul. Messrs. Hawker had quoted
for delivery in Karachi, and Air Vice-Marshal Courtney stated
that though it was unlikely that this problem would be difficult
of solution, he would have to refer the matter to the firm, and
suggested that Mohammed Ihsan should also discuss it when he saw
the firm tomorrow.
The question of the supply of bombs presented a good
many difficulties, though he felt that it might be possible to
supply some of the older types. Of the newer types the Royal
Air Force had all too few, and such a scarcity complicated the
release to the Afghan Government, who wanted 1,200 bombs in all.
He suggested that the matter should be deferred until a later
date. To this the Afghans agreed somewhat reluntantly.
NOTE: Messrs. Hawkers informed of points raised affecting
them 1.2.37.
Appointment of Mohammed Ihsan at Foreign Office(Mr.
Colli*$ fixed for 2.2.37.
Addresses of firms supplying material required by
Afghan sought from L.M.O. and R.T.S. 1.2.37.
(Sgd 4 -) aVr . Boyle.
About this item
- Content
The file contains correspondence, notes, and records of meetings documenting negotiations between the British Government and the Government of India on the one hand, and the Government of Afghanistan on the other. The purpose of the negotiations was to facilitate the financing and purchase of military aircraft – and related equipment, weapons and ammunition – from British sources for the Afghan Air Force, and to provide for the provision of training for Afghan pilots and mechanics in India. The file also outlines the establishment of the Afghan reserve fund by the Government of India for the purpose of funding expenditure related to Afghanistan.
A tour (1936-37) by the Afghan Air Commandant, Ghund Mishar Muhammad Ihdan Khan, of India (Peshwar, Risalpur, and Karachi) and the United Kingdom is also documented in the file; the tour was undertaken at the invitation of the Government of India in order to demonstrate British aircraft and Royal Air Force ground operations. The file therefore includes a number of reports from British officers on the progress of the tour.
The main correspondents in the file are as follows: HM Minister in Kabul (Richard Roy Maconachie and William Kerr Fraser Tyler), officials of the Air Ministry, officials of the Foreign Office, officials of the 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. , and representatives of the Foreign and Political Department (Department of External Affairs from 1937) of the Government of India. The file also contains a limited amount of correspondence with the Afghan Legation and representatives of Hawker Aircraft Limited, as the company chosen to supply the aircraft.
A sketch map of Afghanistan can be found on folio 490 illustrating the effective action of the Westland Wapiti from Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Farah.
The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (508 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 509; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
Coll 5/48 ‘Afghanistan: Supply of military aircraft to the Afghan Government; Supply of maps etc. to the Afghan Govt.’ [142r] (283/1019), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2001, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100037374640.0x000054> [accessed 15 May 2024]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100037374640.0x000054
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100037374640.0x000054">Coll 5/48 ‘Afghanistan: Supply of military aircraft to the Afghan Government; Supply of maps etc. to the Afghan Govt.’ [‎142r] (283/1019)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100037374640.0x000054"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x00021b/IOR_L_PS_12_2001_0284.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x00021b/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2001
- Title
- Coll 5/48 ‘Afghanistan: Supply of military aircraft to the Afghan Government; Supply of maps etc. to the Afghan Govt.’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:17v, 20r:36v, 38r:200v, 202r:272v, 274r:275v, 277r:489v, 491r:509v, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence