TALE OF A CITY 112 for the re-fuelling, operational matters, radio tower operations, broadcasting and reception. - Sharjah: construction of facilities for meteorological purposes, and others for the accommodation of 10 officers, 40 men, 25 employees and 25 workers. There were also plans to build a radio tower with equipment that are compatible with the weather. The airport in Bahrain was sufficient for their needs, and places for accommodation and rest in addition to storehouses could be built in the areas rented to the R.A.F. However, facilities for the wireless stations would need to be built on land that was not rented out by the British. The facilities would be built using local coral stones and since American engineers were to supervise the construction, they were to use 1000 workers for lifting materials and 75 masons and carpenters if the work was to be executed as planned. The American Air Corps would get their supplies from abroad. As for water, they were to use available local water or build their on distillation plant; one similar to the one in use on the island of Masirah, Oman. They alone could arrange for their own health facilities. Additionally, the Political Agent in Bahrain requested from the Political Agent in Sharjah to prevent the Americans from contacting both the Sheikh of Sharjah and the Sheikh of Dubai.5 On 22December 1943, a group of American engineers arrived at Sharjah tomake the necessary arrangements for the accommodation of a 100 people due to arrive in Sharjah in February 1944. A radio and reception station was also built in Sharjah. All construction work was conducted by the R.A.F for the use of the Americans who would bring their own equipment.6 The Political Resident in the Gulf wrote a letter to the India Secretary in the British Government dated 31 December 1943 saying that there was nothing in their agreement with the Ruler of Sharjah that would oblige him 5 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/2043, EXT.491/1944, I.O.R./R/15/2/761, p.7. 6 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/2043, EXT.5140/1944.
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