TALE OF A CITY 116 the Royal Air Force should be in full control of both stations and that all our dealings with United States of America T.C. should be through the Royal Air Force station Commander. I shall be grateful for definite instructions on this point as I anticipate difficulty particularly at Shargah especially if United States of America authorities are themselves unaware of the position.” Ends. 2. As it has already been decided that airfields at Bahrain and Shargah will remain under British control.1 presume it will be made clear to Americans in advance that all requests to local authorities should he made through the Royal Air Force Station Commander at these places.” 14 On 27 February 1944, the Political Resident in the Gulf sent a letter to the British-India Government Secretary saying that the work for the US forces had a few more months before completion and that 15 March 1944, which had been decided before, was too early a date.15 On 12 April 1944, the Political Officer in the Sharjah Political Agency presented Sheikh Sultan with a letter requesting his agreement to the Royal Air Force aircraft using the aerodrome facilities for the duration of the war free of cost. He was also requested to sign a map of the land on which the Royal Air Force would be using.16 SheikhSultanbinSaqr al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, responded as follows: “letter No. 272 of 1363: 18th Rabi al Thani 1363 (13th April, 1944) From the Ruler of Sharjah to the Political Officer, Trucial Coast, Sharjah. A.C. In reference to your letter No. 620, dated 17th Rabi al Thani 1363 (12th April 1944) regarding our agreement to sign on the map of the land on which the Royal Air Force is stationed at our State Sharjah without payment of rent. 14 I.O.R./L.P.&S/12/2043, EXT.896/1944. 15 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/2043, EXT.1206/1944. 16 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/2043, EXT.1194/1945.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy