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DP Note 27/67(A)
Draft)(Continued).
17
known. They further agreed that work on these plans should
therefore be suspended for the time being, although long term
plans to that end should remain in force.
ARMY SHORT TERM PLANNING ISSUES
Reinforcement Battalion
4. Commander-in-Chief's Views. The Commander-in-Chief states
that the Governor of Hong Kong now considers that despite
the present improvement in the internal security situation,
the previous pattern of events may be resumed in December after
the Canton Trade Fair has finished and therefore the reinforcing
battalion should be retained, at least until early January 1968.
The Commander-in-Chief has concurred with this recommendation
and is planning accordingly, including the retention of the
six Royal Air Force helicopters at present in Hong Kong. The
Governor considers it possible that the extra reinforcing
battalion could be needed throughout 1968. The Commander Far
East Land Forces has written to VCGS on the roulement
difficulties that will arise should this course be necessary
and should the Commando brigade be required for operations off
Aden until July 1968.
5.
Comment. Following your meeting (5) with the Governor
of Hong Kong in June 1967, you agreed that it would be pre-
ferable, as a temporary measure, to reinforce the Hong Kong
Garrison with one battalion, bringing the total strength to
73 major units. This was agreed by Political Departments and
you authorised (6) the Commander-in-Chief to reinforce Hong
Kong. The intention was that the battalion would remain in
Hong Kong until after the "double tenth" celebrations in
October 1967. The Commander-in-Chief has planned to retain
Notes:
5. cos 53rd Mtg/67
6.
COSSEA 57
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