LU we appointed in writing by the Commander British
Forces after consultation with the Governor.
The Commission has never been brought into
operation but it is still in being and the original
is in the possession of the Commander British Forces,
Hong Kong.
4. At the time when the Commission was drawn up
Hong Kong was within the theatre of the Korean war.
There was a large garrison stationed in the Colony
and the Chinese potential for agression was then
under-developed. In any event any Chinese military
aggression against Hong Kong was likely to be
moderated by China's own involvement in the Korean
war and by the fact that the Americans were already
involved in that war.
5. Although the Chiefs of Staff agreed in December
1950 that it would not be possible to defend Hong Kong
against a full scale Chinese attack, they considered
at that time that the aim of our Forces in the Colony
in the event of such an attack should be to put up the
strongest possible co-ordinated resistance until
eventually driven back to the sea; and that as the
end approached there should be a progressive evacuation
of both civilians and military personnel. At a
certain stage in the battle, when military
considerations became paramount, the Commander British
Forces would assume overall command by bringing the
Dormant Commission into operation.
2.
TOP SECRET
16.
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