incidents mainly because of the physical barrier created
by the Shum Chun River.
5.
As is normal, the two principal Chinese
Territory communes in the border area, Fu Shing and Sha
Tau Kok, are divided into a number of production brigades.
Each of these brigades has a militia unit comprised of
able-bodied male and female peasants; the size of such a
unit is determined by the brigade strength. Militia
units are divided into two categories, "Basic" and
"Ordinary". The "Basic" militiamen are trained in the
use of small arms and elementary guerilla tactics and
are to a great extent supplementary to the C.C.A. regular
troops. The training for "Ordinary" militiamen is
confined to simple drill with imitation weapons, and they
form a "second line" reserve.
6.
Members of these militia organisations are
invariably ardent communists subjected to intensive
indoctrination. In the months prior to May, 1967, they
were not seen to be taking part in anti-British activities,
although it is more than likely that they were the
instigators of most of the minor incidents which were at
the time prevalent in the border area. As will be seen
later, they played a major role in the more serious actions
against British Territory during the height of confrontation
in the border area.
7.
Until May, 1967, the C.C.A. had a Border
Defence Regiment (No. 30), deployed along the frontier.
This formation, comprising 1,200 lightly armed troops,
had been stationed in the area for a number of years.
The troops had become very friendly with the local
/population..........
SECRET