SECRET UK EYES A
6.
DP Note 212/75(Final)
(Continued)
The Working Party used 5 infantry battalions plus 2 sub-units stationed in Hong Kong as their yardstick for IS deployment planning. They re-affirmed that in the most serious IS situations envisaged, namely simultaneous outbreaks in all three areas of potential disturbance, the infantry requirement would be 5 battalions in the Colony. In these, Gurkha battalions were assumed to be at 5 company strength. The Working Party added, however, that it would be reasonable to expect some forewarning of such situations, all of which would involve a change in, or breakdown of, current Chinese policies.
DISCUSSION
Reinforcement
17.
In previously assessing the size of the garrison it was accepted that no local reinforcement would be available and that for a complete battalion to arrive from the UK might in the worst case take up to three weeks. On this assumption the Chiefs of Staff advised (13) that the army element of the garrison should be about 5 units.
8. The Gurkha battalion currently stationed in Brunei rotates with the Gurkha units in Hong Kong and provides a local reinforcement capability. In emergency the success of air reinforcement from Brunei would depend upon Kai Tak remaining available and the timely provision of necessary RAF or civilian airlift. In turn this depends on the warning period we can expect. Movement by sea is an alternative but this would probably take longer.
9. It now seems likely that a Gurkha battalion will remain in Brunei at least until mid 1978, but agreement has not yet been reached on a date for withdrawal. The Sultan has argued that the
Note:
13. COS 4th Mtg/75 Iten 105.
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SECRET UK EYES A