IOR/R/15/2/118

This file contains correspondence between the British Political Agent at Bahrain; the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; R H Peck, Squadron Leader, No.84 (Bombing) Squadron, Royal Air Force; Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah; and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government.

The correspondence concerns general military matters affecting Bahrain and the wider Persian Gulf. These include:

• Stationing of troops in the Persian Gulf;
• Influence of the Indian communities in Muscat and Bahrain on Indian infantry stationed there;
• Arrangements for Royal Air Force visits to Bahrain, including No.84 (Bombing) Squadron's 1924 visit to Bahrain;
• A possible air route from Hasa to Riyad as detailed in 'Notes on the Route Hasa-Riyadh with special reference to the movements of aircraft', which contains a sketch map of a possible route (ff. 29-35);
• The question of withdrawal of military detachments in the Persian Gulf and strengthening the Levy Corps at Bahrain (1925-26);
• Military intelligence on Nadj tribes (ff. 73-83);
• Withdrawal of 3rd Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment from Manamah following a period of unrest in 1926 and their replacement by an armed State Police Force;
• A rough defence scheme ('Alarm Orders') in the event of raids being made on Manama prepared by the Bahrain Commandant of Police;
• The deployment of Captain R L O'Connor in 1930 to compile Military Intelligence in the Persian Gulf.