IOR/L/PS/12/3936

The file contains papers relating to the defence of Qatar.

It includes a copy of a letter from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Air Officer Commanding, British Forces in Iraq, 8 August 1938, concerning the defence of Qatar, including the possibe need to protect an oil field and pipeline against tribal attack and sabotage in the event of Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited striking oil.

It also includes: a copy of a paper entitled ‘Appreciation of the Situation regarding the Defence of the Qatar Peninsula Against Tribal Attack and Sabotage’, by the Major R G Price, GSO2, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, January 1939 (which includes a blueprint sketch map of Qatar, IOR/L/PS/12/3936, f 13); and copies of letters from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Air Officer Commanding, British Forces in Iraq, 2 March 1939, and from the Political Agent at Bahrain to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, 17 February 1939, regarding Price's report.

In addition, the file includes correspondence dated January 1943 between the India Office, the War Office, and the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, relating to the proposed gift of guns and ammunition to the Shaikhs of Qatar, Dibai [Dubai, also spelled Debai in the file], and Sharjah.

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.