General
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PART III
10
LAND FORCES
Page 75
The deployment of the thirty-five Chinese armies is
now very much more flexible following on the development of
road and rail communications throughout China, and this
flexibility will increase with the continuing improvement to
communications.
During the next two years the re-equipping
and training of the CCA on Soviet lines are likely to continue
and those arms which are at present weak, for example armour
and mechanical transport, are likely to become more effective.
Tactical training for nuclear warfare may influence the
traditional tactics of mass assault but while dispersion may be
practised it is not considered that the overall numbers likely
to be employed will be substantially decreased.
Threat to the Sino-British Frontier
2.
The main threat to the Sino-British Frontier is
posed by 42 Army, all of which could move up for an assault
during two nights. This movement would not necessarily be
reported, particularly as there is now ample room to conceal
large forces in the numerous well constructed tunnels and
defences opposite to the frontier. At least two regiments
of regular CCA are now permanently stationed within five miles.
of the border.
Communications
3.
A study has already been made of gun and concentration
areas likely to be used initially in an attack against the
Colony across the land frontier. Recent communication
developments show that gun and assembly areas are now
accessible to wheeled vehicles, as now are also the beaches at
Bias and Mirs Bays, which could be used for embarking
amphibious forces. Details of those developments are at
Appendix 'B'.
Landing Beaches
4.
While there are numerous small beaches both on the
mainland and the island where raiding parties could be put Page 75 of 172,
Page 75 ashore, there are only a few locations where a sizeable invasion
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/force could