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'File 2/10 II. AVIATION. B. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay etc.' [‎98r] (208/611)

The record is made up of 1 volume (302 folios). It was created in 4 Apr 1933-1 Mar 1935. 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

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with him
it is essential for him to have u ainiiiaun of four adherents
,vith him. l-'.c of these will cook for the whole party,
including the labour and two will act as his personal body-
guard and rabias on shore*
3. In order to reduce numbers to a minimum l am not
taking a personal servant or interpreter with me.
Council are glad to dispense with the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean.
as its presence, particularly if in tow, would tend to
cause excitement and suspicion amongst locals if v<re happen
to meet any* As things stand the’ 1 labour will dribble
ashore and be taken by locals as part of the ships com-
pfcement" (with all due apologies to the
Ihe labour will be embarked at aiuseat ana the
sheikhs at ^ur* Owing to their animal shyness and suspicions
it is impossible to get the sheikhs to Muscat, as suggested
by me»
11 .
All this must seem very alow and laborious to you
I am afraid but it is impossible, dealing with unsophisticat
ed savages and communications by dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. and runner, to speed
things up more. I trust therefore that Air Headquarters
and the Senior *»aval Officer will bear with me patiently
and realise that i am doing my best.
12 .
The local Arab savage has no idea of punctuality,
time or progroime but I hope (without being able to gua
rantee it) that Masir&h and his brother dheikhs will be
awaiting us at ^ur when we get there, ihey cannot, for
obvious reasons, be informed of what is toward and will not
be elightened till we get them all sale on hoard.
12. I am sending a copy of this h>#G« to the non’ble
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. and the senior X*aval Officer, Per
sian Mikt Gulf for their information.
Copy forwarded, with compliments, toi-
The Hobble 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
Bushire•
The Senior haval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. division.

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Content

The volume contains correspondence in the form of letters, telegrams and reports related to the Air Headquarters, Iraq, planning to carry out ground reconnaissance for landing grounds and refuelling stations mid-way between Masirah and Murbat. The volume also includes instructions for landing ground reconnaissance at Sauqrah Bay [also referred to as Sukra Bay or Khor Gharum]. The instructions include descriptions of two possible landing grounds at the site.

The volume also contains correspondence regarding the following:

  • Obtaining the Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s permission in order for the work to take place
  • Arrangement for a member of the Muscat and Oman, Council of Regency, as well as some Shaikhs, particularly the Shaikh of Masirah, Khamis bin Hilal, and other individuals to accompany the reconnaissance team
  • The building of oil and petrol store at Murbat
  • The proceeding of two dhows from Muscat to Masirah with a supervisor, labour and materials to carry out the remarking of Masirah Island landing ground, and two dhows from Muscat to rendezvous with the sloop for the marking of landing grounds in Sauqrah Bay
  • Reports on the reconnaissance took place in February and November 1934. The February work report contains information about Masirah Island that have been gathered from Shaikh Salim bin Nasir Al-Maj‘ali.

Folios 280 to 298 of the volume consist of 19 black and white photographs which are placed in one envelope (f 299a). These are aerial photographs, and they are most likely related to the Royal Air Force (RAF) reconnaissance for landing grounds in the area between Masirah and Murbat. The front side of these photographs is dated November 1933, and the reverse side of each of them has a Royal Air Force stamp dated December 1934.

The main correspondents in the volume are the Air Headquarters, Iraq; 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. , Muscat; 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. , Bushire; and the Government of Muscat and Oman.

Extent and format
1 volume (302 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 299; 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading flyleaves.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 2/10 II. AVIATION. B. ROYAL AIR FORCE. (1) Reconnaissance of Basrah, Aden, Muscat, Masirah, Murbat, Sauqrah Bay etc.' [‎98r] (208/611), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/87, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100074345206.0x000009> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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