IOR/L/PS/12/2020

The file contains correspondence and numerous extracts from intelligence reports (mostly from Kabul and Peshawar) related to the purchase of Italian aircraft (Romeo Type 37s, Breda Type 25s and 28s) by the Afghan Government, and the subsequent deputation of an Italian Air Mission to assemble and maintain the aircraft, and to train Afghan Air Force personnel. See folios 164-166 for details on the Italian instructors. The file therefore also contains a limited amount of correspondence related to importing these aircraft, to Kabul via Karachi, and the issue of transit visas to Italian personnel. A considerable amount of correspondence is dedicated to comparing the performance of the Italian Mission and their aircraft with a similar British Mission sent by Hawker Aircraft alongside eight Hinds sold to the Afghan Government.

Also contained in the file is discussion surrounding an offer from the Government of India to train an additional batch of students in India in 1938, as a counter to the possibility that the Afghan Government may send a party of students to Italy, and future British policy over supplying aircraft to Afghanistan. There is also some discussion towards the end of the file over the possibility of supplying spare engines and parts from Italian aircraft captured during the course of the Second World War (1939-1945).

The main correspondents are as follows: HM Minister at Kabul (William Kerr Fraser-Tytler, later Giles Frederick Squire), officials of the Air Ministry, officials of the Foreign Office, and officials of the India Office.

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.