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SECRET
Copy No of 10 copies
HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG
B.F.P.O.I.
Hong Kong 238111 Ext: 3400
6060 HQBF
Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Policy)
The Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehall
London SW1
19i
12 July 1974
FORCE LEVELS IN HONG KONG
References:
A.
B.
1.
6060 HQBF dated 2 July 1974 (delivered by CBF during his recent visit to MOD).
CBF's signal (despatched from MOD) WWW/LIG of 101800Z JULY.
CBF wishes to stress that the Option C put forward in the Hong Kong force levels paper (reference A) is entirely dependent for its operational viability, on the timely arrival of a reinforcement battalion in an emergency situation. availability of such reinforcements be in any doubt, it would be operationally wrong for this Option to be adopted.
2.
Should the
To place this important point on record, the following addendum should be made to sub-paragraph 52g of reference A:
"The principal risk, inherent in a reduced force level, is the extent to which the Garrison would be dependent on the prompt arrival of a reinforce- ment battalion, should the Colony have simultaneous emergencies in the urban areas and on the border, as occurred in 1967. If such prompt reinforcement cannot continue to be guaranteed, this Option would not be operationally viable and, consequently, the present level of teeth arm units should be maintained."
AA Zelda
A A FIELDER
Colonel
for Commander British Forces
Copy No
Copy to:
Ministry of Defence (MA/CDS) Ministry of Defence (MA/VCGS) Ministry of Defence (DMO) Commodore-in-Charge Hong Kong Headquarters Land Forces Commander RAF Hong Kong File
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