Page 30
A
CHAPTER II (D).
Page 30
26
(D.)-Modes of Meeting probable forms of Attack.
1. It is assumed that such an organized form of attack or raid, as described in paragraph 5, Chapter I, cannot be delivered without such notice being given by the navy, or under local arrangements, as will suffice for the garrison to pass from the precautionary to the war stage, but it is recognized that certain hostile acts may be attempted at an early stage of strained relations, before the war stage can be put into force.
(i.) At the Precautionary Stage.
2. The measures to be taken at this stage have therefore the twofold object of:— (1.) Preventing these hostile acts.
(2.) Facilitating the transition from the precautionary to the war stage.
3. The hostile acts most likely to be attempted in Hong Kong are :——
(a.) Attempts to cut the cable communications at their landing places in Taihowan
and Deepwater Bay (for precautions against, vide Table B (i)).
(6.) Attempts to damage the docks at Aberdeen, Hung Hom, and Quarry Bay (for precautions against, vide Table B (i), assisted by Civil Police).
(c.) Attempt to damage the wireless telegraphy installation at Cape D'Aguilar (for precautions against, vide Table B (i), assisted by Civil Police).
(d.) Attempts to damage the coast armament and electric-light emplacements (will be guarded against by allotting a small infantry garrison for the purpose and erecting obstacles).
(ii.) At the War Stage.
4. Attack from the Sea on the East or the West Entrance.--Attacks on the eastern or western entrances will be met by the guns of the forts, supplemented by the infantry of the section, and in the case of an eastern attack by the Brennan torpedo.
5. Landing on East.-If an attack on the eastern entrance is supplemented by a landing of troops in Saiwan Bay or on the Eastern Coast, the troops of the section, reinforced by the Reserve, might be brought to the spot in about two hours. In the event of such a landing being attempted, the reverse of the Lyemun batteries is protected by a detachment of infantry at Mount Parker. There are also four 15-prs. in the vicinity of Boa Vista and of height 1120 (west of Pottinger Peak).
6. Landing on the West.-An attack on the western entrance might be supple- mented by an attempted landing of troops in Sandy Bay and Taiho Wan and Kellet Bay. This would be met in the first instance by the troops present on the spot. These would be quickly reinforced by the infantry companies and the Reserve, which move either by the main road by Belchers, or Sandy Bay by the Jubilee Road, or by Victoria Gap to Pokfulum, as might be required. This attack is also exposed to the fire of two 15-prs. of the movable armament on High West.
7. Landing on Stonecutters.-An attack on the western entrance might be supple- mented by an attempted landing on Stonecutters Island. This would be met by the Volunteers and the movable armament on Stonecutters,
8. Landing on the South.-The most probable places for attempted landings on the south of the island are at Waterfall Bay, Aberdeen, Deepwater Bay, and Repulse Bay. A landing might also be attempted at Tytam Bay with the object of destroying the dam and seizing Wong-nei-Cheong Gap.
9. It is impossible to lay down in black and white how each or any of such attempted landings would be met.
The action would be entirely according to circumstances; the troops have been distributed (vide Table B (ii)) so as to watch the whole coast-line, but keeping strong bodies of men in hand in central positions, so that they can be moved in the quickest
1
T
P
t
a
tl
h
aj
273
p
si.
bl
re
ar
ро
K
227 29E
pla
no
wi
ma
Pa
rig
pos
the
Chi
dov
hill
cou
WOU
outs troo
out
Page 30
Page 30
Page 30Page 31