he
ag
re
Je
re
Or
S,
at
ld
PY
1.
te
nf
of
t
12
PART IV
THE MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE DISTURBANCES
77
dependent on mobilization of the auxiliaries, who take over many of the station and static jobs normally performed by the regulars as well as forming two Emergency Units.
288. We have already referred in para. 201 to the active part played by the Auxiliary Company in one incident, and, in reply to our questions, the Company Commander confirmed that his men had reacted very well to the demands made upon them.
289. The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. Some mention was made in the evidence before us of the use of helicopters to observe the formation and move- ments of crowds on the ground, to report the situation by wireless and to direct police formations. Mention was also made of a useful role played by the helicopter in spotting persons on the roofs of buildings and directing the attention of the ground forces to them. One press report spoke of the attention of the crowds being diverted from attacking a woman in a car by the approach of the helicopter.
290. It would appear that no use was made of the helicopter to broadcast voice messages to the crowds in the streets, e.g, in regard to the curfew. We would suggest that consideration might be given to this in future.
291. Comment. The evidence indicates that morale was high amongst mem- bers of the auxiliary services involved and that they can play a valuable part in an internal security role.