97 Since 1937, the British had been trying to establish a military base in Sharjah. In February 1937 for example, the Political Agent in Bahrain met Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, to talk about some required additions to Sharjah Air Station. He told him that he was authorized by his British government to out this request to the Sheikh.1 On 17 February 1939, the Political Agent in Bahrain wrote a letter to the Political Agent in the Gulf, who was in the military camp in Bahrain at the time. He wrote: “In the event of war is Sharjah definitely to be used as the base for Royal Air Force aircraft operating in conjunction with the naval forces guarding the mouth of the Gulf? If so, will that base be at Sharjah or in the vicinity of Ras al Hedd? If the former, then it seems that a more definite plan for the protection of Sharjah must be considered and that plan might well include provision of funds to enable us to purchase either immunity from the more important hinterland tribes or even active assistance from tribes such as Beni Kitab.” 2 The Political Agent in Sharjah then wrote to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr alQasimi on 6 February 1941 conveying a request from the Baiulus who was in charge of the Gulf, regarding establishing a military base in the east. He said: 1 I.O.R./L.P.&S/12/3838, EXT.1194/1945. 2 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/3935,P.Z.1188, pp.23−25.
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