The Gulf, a little-studied theatre of the Second World War, grew in importance to the area's leading power, Britain, as well as the Allies, as war progressed. All three Axis powers at one time or another tested Britain's ability to discharge its defence obligations, which included the protection of tiny Arab shaikhdoms and guarding nearby waters. With Britain's strategic imperatives lying elsewhere, British officials on the spot received scant resources to enact a scheme of defence for the Gulf and instead largely relied on makeshift measures. This article provides the first account of Britain's ad hoc defence arrangements in the region, and, in doing so, offers a window into the organisational, manpower and materiel attention major powers with overseas possessions give peripheral theatres.

海湾，一个鲜为人知的二战战场，随着战争的进行，对该地区的主要大国英国以及盟国的重要性日益增加。所有三个轴心国都曾一次或多次考验过英国履行其国防义务的能力，其中包括保护阿拉伯小酋长国和守卫附近水域。由于英国的战略需要在其他地方，英国官员在现场获得的资源很少，无法制定海湾防御计划，而是主要依靠临时措施。本文首次介绍了英国在该地区的临时防御安排，并由此提供了一个窗口，可以了解拥有海外领土的主要大国在外围战区的组织、人力和物资关注。