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CINCFE
SECRET
Category AC: no unclassified reply or reference
An Contin
No Gamahaia
R. 318.
6355
384
To:
MOD UK
Info:
CBF Hong Kong HQFEAF
1103412 August
Date:
11.8.67
Reed: 04572
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RTT/SEACOS 127
For CDS from CINCFE.
11601
1.
Reference HTT/0211122/COSSEA 79.
38
Para 9 of reference. Troop carrying helicopters would be very useful in Hong Kong and would be warmly welcomed by CBF. As troops had not yet been engaged to any significant degree I did not feel that the diversion of effort and additional expense and complications involved in making a detachment which was likely to become permanent were justified at this stage. However as you would clearly support the deployment of helicopters I now agree and assess the requirement as being a Platoon lift (that is four Whirlwinds on line).
2. If the commitment has to be met from within theatre resources, it will have a considerable impact on our capability for training in Far East Command especially as our helicopter force will be reduced during the period of the Aden withdrawal. I would hope, therefore, that the helicopters for Hong Kong would come from elsewhere,
3. We have not yet fully assessed in detail the additional manpower and cost involved, but this detachment together with the need to accede to Hong Kongs request to keep a semi-permanent detachment of fighters there inevitably involves increases to establishment of RAF Kai Tak.
1103412
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Foreign Office, Room 9 (2)
Commonwealth Office
MP
Major General Mo Neill Mr Hall
SPECIAL CARE 18 AUG 1967
SECRET
PA
218.67
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63 16 AUGI967