Abstract: The file contains memoranda, correspondence and papers, regarding provision of Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) aircraft and personnel for military operations in Mesopotamia [Iraq].Notably covers: repeated requests in 1917 from General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, for aircraft and personnel (pilots, observers and other ranks) to constitute an additional, third, squadron; discussion of makes and models of aircraft and engines; discussion of optimum aircraft type and parts for the climate, intended uses and enemy capability; reporting problems with machines and defective parts received; general expansion of the Royal Flying Corps establishment in Mesopotamia; and increase in number of flights to deal with local disturbances in 1919.File also includes printed weekly returns for the weeks ending 14 March 1918, 28 March 1918 and 11 April 1918, issued by General Officer Commanding, Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, Egypt, for the Air Ministry, listing squadron personnel (pilots and observers) available and unavailable and machines serviceable, unserviceable and un-erected.The papers indicate that aircraft were distributed to the Mesopotamia field of operations from Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps base in Cairo, Egypt. Personnel came via various routes, such as direct from England or from the aviation base in Baghdad.Aircraft in Mesopotamia were used for long-distance reconnaissance, close reconnaissance, low flying, long-distance independent bombing, close bombing in co-operation with troops, artillery observation and communications.The primary correspondents are: the War Office; General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; General Officer Commanding, Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, Cairo. Correspondents also include Aviation Baghdad; General Officer Commanding, Constantinople; Commander-in-Chief, India; and Director of Air Organisation, War Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 80; 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 present in parallel; these numbers are written in coloured crayon.
Abstract: The file’s contents relate to the proposed joint-use of the aerodromes at Bahrain and Sharjah for both civil and military purposes, and are chiefly comprised of a series of papers entitled ‘General Principles and Practices to be followed at Joint-User Airfields Overseas’, issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Ministry Co-ordinating Committee. The first paper, bearing the reference number (48)1 (ff 4-8), deals with a range of generalised issues (responsibilities, finance, administration, supply, briefing and telecommunications) without any specific reference to the airfields at Bahrain or Sharjah. The second paper, reference (48)2 (ff 9-10), specifies airfields covered by the joint-user plan, including air traffic control authorities and the authorities responsible for telecommunications facilities, and specifies whether these will be under RAF or civilian authority (the latter being the case for Bahrain and Sharjah). The third paper, reference (48)4 (ff 11-14, with revisions on ff 17-18), is a detailed plan of telecommunications staffing and facilities for Sharjah and Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the 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.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to the Royal Air Force (RAF) aerodrome and landing ground at Manama and Muharraq, respectively. The correspondence is mostly between the Political Agency at Bahrain, the Office of the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, Air Officer Commanding and the Chief Engineer at Iraq Command, Hinaidi, Iraq.The papers cover several matters connected to the permissions and payments for the rent, construction, maintenance, and improvement of the airfields, as well as negotiations with the Government of Bahrain over the lease of land and the purchase of buildings. The final signed agreement for the lease of land is on folios 109-112.Specific matters covered by the file include:the need to use the quarantine station following an outbreak of plague in Basrah;the clearance of reed huts from land surrounding the aerodrome in Manama;the construction of a protective sea wall at the landing ground in Muharraq, and the dispute over an unauthorised diversion.There are a number of plans included in the file:plan showing the landing ground in Manama (folio 20);an updated version of the above plan (folio 39);plan showing RAF land around the landing site in Manama (folio 228);plan of landing ground in Muharraq, showing proposed sea wall (folio 245).Folios 262-72 are internal office notes.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 272; 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 present in parallel between ff 4-261; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to the employment of persons by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Bahrain. The correspondence is between:H C Parker, Air Liaison Officer in Bahrain;Cornelius James Pelly, Political Agent in Bahrain;Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain;J C Stoneham, Resident Engineer of the RAF Bahrain;Office of the Commissioner for Migration and Statistics, Jerusalem, Palestine.The papers cover several matters, including:employment through Messrs Solel Boneh of Palestinian (Jewish) labour in construction work on Muharraq Island, including conditions and lists of employee names;employment of skilled Iraqi labour for civil engineering work;arrangements for suitable travel documents for these workers.Folios 27-28 are internal office notes.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 29; 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 2-26; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains telegrams, letters, and reports related to the agreement between the British and the Muscat and Oman governments to build air facilities/landing grounds at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd and the use of those grounds by the Royal Air Force as a war measure. The volume also contains correspondence related to the Karachi-Aden, and Muscat-Aden Air routes.The volume includes reports related to trouble caused by a certain Shaikh of Masirah and his followers, something which affected the work taking place and forced it to stop. Further trouble was caused by 'coolies' [pejorative term used by the British to refer to a non-British labourer] striking and demanding increased wages.The volume also includes reports on the progress of the work; the budget; delays of payment claimed by the engineers; reports on ships loading and unloading at the facilities; standing orders for personnel of the Royal Air Force and British Airways stationed on the South Arabian Aerodromes in the territory of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. It also includes copies of reports sent by the Political Agent, Muscat on his tours at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd.The main correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agency, Muscat; the Political Residency, Bushire; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muscat.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 258; 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 present in parallel between ff 2-258; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence in the form of letters, telegrams and reports related to the negotiation of either the acquisition or lease of a base at Masirah Island. The British Government acquired a base either by the purchase or exchange of Masirah Island for Kuria Muria or the lease of whole or part of the island. The main concern raised by British Officials was on how to approach the Sultan of Muscat and Oman on the issue. They argued that the Sultan will be unlikely to agree to sell or exchange Masirah Island, for the fact that one day the island might prove to contain mineral and/or oil deposits of commercial value.The file contains correspondence related to the availability of drinking water for the Royal Air Force and native labourers on the island, and the future of the administration of the island after an agreement takes place.The file also contains correspondence, folios (144-160) related to the incident of a group of Royal Air Force men shooting eleven civilian-owned goats at Masirah Island. The Sultan raised the issue with the Political Agent at Muscat and he suggested that the Royal Air Force men should be kept within their airbase boundaries in order to prevent such incidents.The main correspondents in the file are: the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department; India Office, London; the Political Agency, Muscat; the Persian Gulf Residency, Bahrain; and the Government of Muscat and Oman.A large part of the file, folios 2-117, is dated 1944.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 169; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding the unauthorised entry of Persian [Iranian] territory by an Royal Air Force (RAF) plane. The main correspondents are as follows; the Agent to the Governor-General, Resident; the Chief Commissioner, Baluchistan; HM Ambassador to Iran and the Government of India, External Affairs Department. The aircraft is reported to have flown from Jiwani to Dashtiari by the RAF Commanding Officer at Jiwani. From here a Persian citizen and friend of the pilot, Mir Yusaf Khan Saddazai, was collected and transported back to Jiwani for a personal visit before returning with him a few days later. Also discussed is a Soviet press report suggesting that the trip had facilitated the delivery of arms to Baluchistan, a claim which is denied by the Government of India, External Affairs Department.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside 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.
Abstract: Correspondence relating to the transfer of administrative and financial control of the site of a coal depot at Mokalla, Muscat, from the Royal Indian Navy to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The papers deal with questions of cost, the building of a new petrol store, securing concessions for the site from the Sultan of Muscat, and what to do with the old fire engine. The main correspondents include officials of the Government of India (Foreign and Political Department and Marine Department), Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, Air Headquarters, Iraq Command, RAF, Hinaidi, Air Ministry, and the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 57; 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.
Abstract: The file consists of papers (correspondence, mostly by telegraph, and ‘Extract from the Muscat Intelligence Summary No. 8 April 16th-30th.’) relating to the disbandment of the Royal Air Force unit at Ras al Hadd, in the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman (and the transfer of personnel, stores and equipment to Masirah). The papers mostly concern the erroneous dumping of ammunition into the sea too near to the shore, from where it could be recovered by local inhabitants, and subsequent questions about the quantity of ammunition disposed of, and to what extent it was likely to be serviceable.The correspondence is mostly between the following: the India Office; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Headquarters, British Forces, Aden; and the Political Agent, Muscat.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 (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 19; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains papers relating to the installation of a wireless set with Royal Air Force operators at the Kuwait Political Agency (the commercial 'at' symbol is used in the file title), pending the establishment by Cable and Wireless Limited of their wireless station at Kuwait in connection with the defence of Kuwait, and the amount of expenditure incurred.The papers consist of correspondence, internal India Office correspondence, and an extract from the Kuwait Intelligence Summary for the period from 16 to 30 September 1943, concerning the Royal Air Force reopening their wireless station in the Kuwait Political Agency.The main correspondents are the India Office, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Government of India External Affairs Department, and the Air Ministry.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 (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 30; 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.
Abstract: The file is made up of correspondence generated as a result of complaints submitted by the Government of Afghanistan to the Government of India, via the British Legation at Kabul. These complaints concern allegations of violations of Afghan territory by aircraft of the Royal Air Force (RAF) based along the North West Frontier. These complaints are then either upheld or rejected by the Government of India – as a result of internal investigation – and a response issued via the British Legation. In some cases copies of the reports compiled at Peshawar, Headquarters of No 1 RAF (Indian) Group, can be found alongside the correspondence. In addition, the file also contains a relatively small number of counter complaints made by the Government of India, concerning violations of British Indian territory by Afghan aircraft, which are mainly found towards the front of the file.It also contains material related to an allegation that an RAF aircraft dropped a bomb on the Afghan village of Lwarah (also spelt Lawarah) on 31 March 1939; see folios 68-94. A detailed breakdown of the compensation claim made by the Government of Afghanistan can be found on folios 68-69.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 front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 450; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file is made up of correspondence generated as a result of complaints submitted by the Government of Afghanistan to the Government of India, via the British Legation at Kabul. These complaints concern allegations of violations of Afghan territory by aircraft of the Royal Air Force (RAF), and occasionally the United States Air Force, based along the North West Frontier. These complaints are then either upheld or rejected by the Government of India – as a result of internal investigation – and a response issued via the British Legation. In a few cases copies of statements taken as a result of the investigation can be found alongside the correspondence. Officials of the Air Ministry, the Foreign Office, and the India Office, are often referred to for advice on matters of policy.Two particular incidents covered in greater detail are the accidental bombing of Narezai by RAF aircraft on 30 July 1942, and a crash landing of an RAF plane in Afghanistan on 1 July 1943. Despite the title of the file, it contains no material related to violations of British Indian territory by Afghan aircraft.The French content consists of a single letter on folios 84-87, dated 28 March 1943, from the Government of Switzerland to the British Government outlining Swiss policy towards military aircraft – from Allied or Axis forces – that land or crash land in its territory. Extracts from this letter are quoted in related items of correspondence.A Second World War propaganda poster regarding the Allied bombing of Germany has been reused due to wartime paper shortages; see folios 185v and 191v. A sketch map of Waziristan may be found on folio 258.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 main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 280; 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.