Coll 5/85 ‘Airfield at Dharan for U.S.A.A.F.: Proposal to construct new airport at Bahrain (Hamala)’ [‎185v] (371/522)

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4 * The memorandum continues with the offer of^an :: •
American military mission of approximately 50 (half 100)
officers and 110 (half 220 ) other ranks to render the following
services:
(a) training Saudi Arabian pilots and ground crews
• * » ‘
%. , i .
(b) provision for such medical services as a ba?e ^
hospital in eastern Saudi. Arabia, and mobile hospital, malaria-
control units, typhus - prevention and general training ox
local personnel.
(c) technical services instruction and advice on supply,
transportation, ordnance, signal communications, army finance
and inspection and last but not least petroleum exploitation
and development
(d) in addition the Mission "can include specialists in
army organisation, training, combat operations and other
duties of a general staff".
5 . The memorandum closes with offer of road construction
between Riyadh and Dhahran.
6 . The second memorandum of May 11th gives further details
of offers supplementary to the general outlines of the first
document. I have inoluded these, e.g. details of medical
services in the above summary for convenience^
7. Ibn Saud was and remains much incensed by 'these
proposals for large-scale American penetration and states h
would .have rejected request for air-field at once but tor our
endorsement of its wartime necessity. He tells me he has
informed United States Minister that the ^
p military airfield at Dhahran for use by the Allies during
the war subject to conformity with the King s wishes regarding
flying routes and on condition that the airfield becomes Saud
Arabian Government’s property at the end of the jar. T
Americans (and possibly the Allies, point was not clear) will
be allowed to use it for military aircraft for three (nall si ;
years after termination of hostilities. Its-use'for civilian
aircraft must be separately negotiated#
s. V 4
8 , Reply to other American proposals has been postponed
by the King's te'nporising rec l ues ^ for . ni ? re fM^iestv’*s
Meanwhile he earnestly begs for the advice of His Ma] y
Government as to the attitude they wish him ° & P . ^
case. I should welcome an early indication of your views lor
communication to His Majesty who appears much upset by the
whole episode. He is alleged to have exclaimed.- now that
Berlin has fallen, they turn on me".