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1. '11/4 ANTI-SAUDI ACTIVITIES'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file concerns possible anti-Saudi activities in the Persian Gulf. It contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, the Political Agent at Bahrain, and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave. In addition, there are copies of correspondence with Sir Andrew Ryan, Albert Spencer Calvert and Sir Reader Bullard of the British Legation at Jedda.The correspondence of 1933 (ff 2-20) concerns suspicions that Khalid Ibn Hithlain [Khālid bin Muḥammad bin Ḥithlayn] of the Ajman tribe proposes to enter Nejd [Najd] with 'evil intent' from Kuwait or Bahrain. Included are details of a meeting between the Political Agent and Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah who doubts that Khālid would consider Bahrain as a location for buying supplies or as a staging ground for an attack, but instead suspects that he might be acting in collusion with an enemy of ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd [Ibn Saud], for example, his brother, Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Āl Sa‘ūd (ff 3-6). In addition, there are copies of personal letters on the same subject between Fuad Hamza, [Fu’ād Ḥamzah], Ryan, Calvert and Amir Faisal [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd] (ff 14-20).A copy of a letter, dated 12 April 1939, from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to Sir Reader Bullard, concerns a meeting between Sir Lancelot Oliphant and Faysal regarding the potential threat to Saudi Arabia from Nazi Germany, the likelihood of the incorporation of Koweit [Kuwait] into Iraq, and British rule of the Persian Gulf (ff 21-23).File notes at the rear of the file (ff 24-26) include brief genealogical and biographical details concerning Khalid, as well as the Ajman tribe.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
2. 'Activities of Foreign Agents in Saudi Arabia'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file concerns suspicions of foreign agent activity in Saudi Arabia. Folios 2-5 and 8 concern suspicions held by C S Freebury of Gray Mackenzie and Company Limited at Ras Tanura, with regards to Mr Jean de Kuharski and Mr Pixton (Polish and English citizens respectively, who are said to be making a documentary film about the life of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]), and an American named William Frary. Folios 6-7 concern information received with regards to three men (two Palestinian Arabs and a Bulgarian) who have been trained in a Russian military intelligence school and who are seeking work in Aramco at Dhahran (al-Ẓahrān). The file contains correspondence between Cornelius James Pelly, Political Agent at Bahrain; Lieutenant-Colonel William Rupert Hay, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bahrain; C S Freebury of Gray Mackenzie and Company Limited at Ras Tanura; His Majesty's Minister at Jedda; and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover on folio 1 and terminates at the back cover on folio 10; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
3. ‘File 28/22-I Mission of S.O.(I) [Staff Officer Intelligence] Bahrain’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file’s papers relate to the appointment and activities of the Security Officer (initially referred to as a Staff Officer Intelligence) in the Persian Gulf. The principal correspondents in the file are the Security Officer at Bahrain (Captain C G Campbell) and the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban; Edward Birkbeck Wakefield; Major Tom Hickinbotham).The file includes:correspondence dated early 1941 relating to the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel G W Manson as Staff Officer Intelligence at Bahrain, including details of his background, movements and tasks, and correspondence relating to secret questionnaires to be despatched to various places around the Persian Gulf, which are too sensitive to be sent by normal mail (ff 3-4);copies of correspondence and directives, dated from 1943, issued by PAIFORCE [Persia and Iraq Force], relating to the post of Security Control Officer responsible for the sea and air ports of the Persian Gulf, with details of the role’s remit, responsibilities and duties (ff 20-21, ff 26-30, ff 92-94);copies of various reports prepared by the Security Officer, issued from January 1944 on a fortnightly basis, and covering: a) port security (including security ID discs for port labourers, details of the departure and arrival of dhows; ff 35-37 onwards); b) security of oil installations (including assessments of security checkpoints, security precautions, storage of explosives, reports of suspected incidents of sabotage, employee morale, including reports of strikes, trade unionism, suspected subversive activities, and occasional ‘test periods of tension’; ff 41-48 onwards);PAIFORCE instructions for the anti-locust campaign in Saudi Arabia, 1943-44, dated 20 April 1944 (ff 89-90), and the later cancellation of the instructions in July 1944 (f 114);an application for work from Abdul Aziz Shamlan, dated 20 September 1944, an interpreter, with references enclosed from the Defence Officer in the Persian Gulf (Major H T Hewitt) and staff at the Office of the Air Liaison Officer, Bahrain, and a letter from the Political Agent to the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, asking for information on Shamlan (ff 121-126);a letter from the Security Officer, Bahrain, to the Political Agent, dated 23 November 1944, announcing that orders have been received for the permanent closure of the Security Office from 6pm that day (f 146).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 156; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-19 and a mixed foliation pagination sequence between ff 20-149; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
4. ‘File 28/1 I Defence against parachutists, obstruction of aerodromes and landing grounds, etc’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence and memoranda containing guidance relating to the perceived threat of enemy troops parachuting into British-Indian territory. Though the threat is most strongly perceived in the north-western provinces of India and Baluchistan, the guidance was distributed to Britain’s political agencies in the Persian Gulf, including Bahrain.The file includes: a copy of a Government of India letter, dated 5 July 1940, discussing the vulnerability of stations on the northwest frontier of India, with suggestions for passive air defence measures, and precautions to be taken against parachutists (paratroopers) (ff 3-4); a note from the General Staff, dated 1 June 1940, outlining the nature of parachute attacks (f 5); a note outlining active defence measures to be taken against paratroopers, including permanent guards and the placement of obstructions on landing grounds (f 6); a copy of a secret memorandum from the Government of India, dated 30 July 1940, stating that no landing grounds should be obstructed without prior reference to the Government of India External Affairs Department (f 8); copies of telegrams relating to difficulties encountered in ascertaining the identities of air crews at some landing grounds (f10), with proposals for photograph identity cards to be carried by aircrews, a specimen of which is included (f 11); a copy of a letter from the Under Secretary to the Government of India, dated 18 December 1942, drawing attention to the success of ‘fifth column’ exercises in Northern Command, and requesting that ‘provincial governments’ assess their arrangements for weaknesses that may leave them prone to fifth column activities (ff 18-19).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 20; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-19; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
5. ‘File 28/1 Q Provision of armed guard for British Overseas Airways Corporation Limited; Cable & Wireless etc.’
- Description:
- Abstract: The first part of the file (ff 2-6), containing correspondence dated 1940, chiefly from the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) Station Superintendent at Bahrain, concerns the provision of armed guards as an anti-sabotage measure for BOAC aircraft on night stops at Bahrain. The correspondence includes: details of the provision of an armed guard for aircraft; a request that BOAC staff be lent a revolver by the Agency; BOAC liaison on the matter of protection with the Defence Office in the Persian Gulf (Major A C Byard); provision of guards according to the winter 1940 BOAC schedule; elimination of BOAC night stops at Bahrain.The second part of the file (ff 7-19) contains correspondence dated 1943, chiefly from Norman Luke Penfold, Officer-in-Charge for the Bahrain branch of Cable & Wireless (C&W), who requests the provision of an armed guard for Bahrain’s new C&W office and the equipment and instruments it contains. Correspondence between Penfold and the Political Agency relates to the assessment of the nature of the function of the new office and its equipment, and if this justifies the provision of an armed guard from the Bahrain State Police. A note written by Agency staff in the file notes (ff 20-21) states that ‘the turn the war has taken has convinced all Arabs & Persians that there is no longer any possibility of German forces arriving in these parts’.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 22; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-19; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. Pagination: the file notes at the back of the file (ff 20-21) have been paginated using pencil.
6. ‘File 28/10-(d) Tirath Das (Agent of Messrs. Dhamanmal Issardas in Dubai)’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises correspondence and memoranda relating to allegations of anti-British sentiments expressed by Tiradas Dhamanmal, manager of Indian trading agents Dhamanmal Isardas of Dubai, and the Political Agent at Bahrain’s orders to have Dhamanmal expelled from the Trucial Coast and sent back to India. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman) and the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Saiyid ‘Abd Al Razzaq).The file includes: extracts of memoranda between the Political Agent and Residency Agent, reporting allegations of the anti-British sentiments expressed by Dhamanmal, and the decision to send Dhamanmal back to India (ff 2-5); letters from Tiradas Dhamanmal and representatives of Dhamanmal Isardas, denying the claims and asking that the Political Agent reconsider his ruling (ff 6-7); the Political Agent’s rejection of Tiradas Dhamanmal’s plea, and the Residency Agent’s report that Dhamanmal has left for India (ff 8-11).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 13; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-11; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
7. ‘File 28/10 Anti-British activities in Bahrain’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises correspondence relating to reports about and enquiries made into individuals at Bahrain, or travelling to Bahrain, and allegations of their anti-British activities. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban), and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).1941 correspondence includes: enquires made by the Political Agent to the Adviser, requesting information or action against individuals alleged to have expressed anti-British views, or listened to Berlin or Bari radio broadcasts (ff 5-8); information from the Middle East Intelligence Centre concerning an individual travelling to Bahrain, who has spent a year in the United States and who is said to have expressed pro-Palestine/Iraq and anti-British sympathies (f 17); the Adviser’s responses to each of these cases (ff 10-12, f 21), providing background information on the named individuals, and advising caution in taking action against any of them without substantive evidence; correspondence from the External Affairs Department at Simla to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior), dated 14 May 1941, enclosing an extract from Intelligence No. 7 of 1941 for the period 1 to 15 April 1941 (ff 24-25), requesting information on what action has been taken with regard to those points concerning Bahrain, and the Political Agent’s response to these points (ff 28-29).The last item in the file is a letter from the Political Agent (Edward Birkbeck Wakefield) to Major S Hills, DCRE [Deputy Commander of the Royal Engineers] Bahrain, dated 22 June 1942, informing him that three Iraqi masons currently working on the oil refinery protection plan are said to have expressed anti-British sentiments, and would rather destroy than assist in the protection of the refinery oil tanks (f 35).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 36; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
8. ‘File 28/10-(c) Anti-British Activities of Abdullah bin Faris, Secretary of the Shaikh of Sharjah’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence and other papers related to anti-British and pro-German propaganda being disseminated at Sharjah, and specifically that being allegedly spread by the Ruler of Sharjah’s Secretary, Abdullah bin Faris. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban) and the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Saiyid ‘Abd al-Razzaq).The file includes:the Residency Agent’s reports on propaganda activities at Sharjah, dated July 1940, including anti-British statements made by the Ruler of Sharjah’s secretary, Abdullah bin Faris, and one report enclosing a number of poems (in Arabic original and English translation), two of which are pro-British in tone (ff 10-11, ff 13-14), and another, apparently written by the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī, which is pro-German in tone (f 12, f 15);a petition, signed by forty-eight inhabitants of Sharjah who are of Arabic, Iranian and Indian origin (Arabic original f 40, English translation ff 23-24) affirming that the Abdullah bin Faris is ‘the greatest supporter’ of the British Government;further correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Residency Agent at Sharjah, and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior), concerning reports that the signatures on the petition supporting Abdullah bin Faris were obtained by misrepresentation, and a circular, sent to those British (Indian) subjects at Sharjah who signed the petition, dated 16 October 1940, ensuring that they were fully aware of what they had signed (ff 38-39);letters sent by the Political Agent at Bahrain to the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī, warning him against the spread of anti-British propaganda in Sharjah, with replies from Shaikh Sultan (ff 21-24, ff 44-45).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 50; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-48; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
9. PZ 5654/32 Persia: Indian Seditionist Khan Khoji
- Description:
- Abstract: Thefile contains correspondence regarding Khan Khoji, described as an Indianseditionist, and warning he may attempt to re-enter India through Iran. Theprimary correspondents are: Government of India, Foreign and PoliticalDepartment; British Legation, Tehran.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 45, and terminates at f 53, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
10. Coll 28/85S (1) ‘Persia; Abadan and S.W. Persian Oilfields; A.I.O.C. Indian Employees’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file is a direct chronological continuation of Coll 28/85S (1) ‘Persia. Abadan and S. W. Persian oilfields; Protection of British interests.’ (IOR/L/PS/12/3490A). It consists chiefly of extracts of quarterly reports, prepared by HM Consul-General at Khorramshahr, on affairs at the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), and extracts from the Khorramshahr Consulate Diary. The reports concern working conditions and unrest amongst Indian and Pakistani employees at AIOC, and subversive activities amongst AIOC employees. Reference is made in several reports to the activities of the Rashtraya Sevak Sangh group at the AIOC (also referred to as the Hindu Communal Army [Rāṣṭrīya Svayamsēvaka Saṅgha]). Some of the reports in the file are marked top secret.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 33; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
11. Coll 6/56 'Saudi-Arabia: Prevention of use of Bahrein and Kuwait as bases for activities against Nejd (Ibn Hithlain)'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file relates to an Ajman chief named Khalid ibn Hithlain [Khālid bin Muḥammad bin Ḥithlayn, also transliterated as Khalid bin Hathlain in the file], who is suspected of planning anti-Saudi activities. The correspondence documents the efforts of the British authorities – at the Saudi Government's request – to monitor Khalid ibn Hithlain's movements and prevent him from using either Kuwait or Bahrain as a base from which to plan hostile actions. The file concludes with extracts from the Kuwait Political Agency's intelligence summaries, which report Khalid ibn Hithlain's return to Saudi Arabia in January 1935, following a general political amnesty granted by the Saudi Government.Notable correspondents include the following: His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires to Jedda (Albert Spencer Calvert); His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Sir Andrew Ryan); the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Philip Cunliffe-Lister); the Saudi Minister for Foreign Affairs [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd]; the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.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.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 30; these numbers are printed and written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.