101 the request. He was informed that the Sheikh had given his formal8 consent to the stationing at Sharjah for the duration of the war only, of such aircraft and personnel attached to them as the High British Government may consider necessary, in addition to the execution of various works in relation to the Air Station and provision of guards there.9 The civil aviation agreement signed in 1932 was running out, as its term was only 11 years. The British Overseas Airways Corporation changed the agreement for the Royal Airways. Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr approved the landing of KLM flights on all authorized landing grounds with special permission against the payment of a 5-Rupee fee. By April 1942, the people of Sharjah were enjoying a good standard of living owing to their hard work. There were also some smuggling activities going on. Certain products were taken to Persia via special boats. As for the Sheikh, the oil and aviation concessions were bringing in what may be considered a huge revenue for him. However, news spread among the people that supplies coming from India were going to be less. This was a cause for concern, too; yet, the most major of daily concerns at the time for them was the military air activities of the British. When would there be peace? This was a question asked by all. Everyone wanted to see the war ending before the supplies ran out. Locally, there was a peaceful atmosphere under Sheikh Sultan’s firm and strict rule of Sharjah. His own concerns were economic and he had two requests: (a) enough rations for his Sheikhdom, and (b) spare parts for his vehicle. There were also extensive immigration activities from Persia to the Arabian coast. Sometimes, more than 1000 immigrants arrived daily to Dubai. They came seeking a higher standard of living which was the case on the Arabian coast. Some worked in the airports which required manpower and other in construction in Dubai and Sharjah. The boom Dubai witnessed at the time was due to two major reasons : 8 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/3671,EXT.1990/1942. 9 Ibid. A WAR TIME MILITARY BASE IN SHARJAH
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