Mr. Wallace
Mr. Campbell
(Kage ryfeurge)
Page 73
He
Col. Short (War Office, MO2) came to see Mr. Burgh and myself yesterday about the strength of the U.K. garrison. recalled that the Army's long-term deployment plan provided for a garrison of six major units, but it had been agreed that two additional (artillery) units would be stationed in Hồng Kong as a temporary measure until 1962, thus bringing the total strength up to the eight major units considered necessary by the Governor, the Commander British Forces and the Colonial Office. The War Office were now re-examining their long-term deployment plan, and found that although the total strength of the Far Eastern forces could not be raised, within this total an extra 13 major units could be allotted to the Hong Kong garrison, which would thus be 73 major units. Col. Short pointed out that, although this was two-thirds of a major unit less than we had asked for, the actual manpower of the proposed garrison would in fact be slightly greater than that of the present garrison because of the substitution of a Gurkha battalion (960 men) for an artillery regiment (522 men). The reason for the withdrawal of two-thirds of a major unit from the present (temporary) garrison was that for operational reasons the War Office wished to station two batteries of medium artillery with its parent formation (the Gurkha division) in Malaya. He added that there was also a R.E. squadron (representing one-third of a major unit) which had not previously been brought into calculations; this would bring the proposed long-term strength up to 7 2/3rds major units. Details of the present and proposed garrisons are at
(284) (284) opposite.
(10) on DEF.62/05
2.
Mr. Burgh and I recalled that our Secretary of State had given his considered view in April that 8 major units were essential and we could not therefore agree to any reduction in this strength without consulting both him and the Governor. We could hardly do this on the basis of the exploratory
discussion which we had had, but we would consult higher authority when the War Office had crystallised their own thoughts and submitted them in writing. Col. Short appeared to be satisfied with this and promised to send us the War Office papers when these were finalised.
3. I think that Mr. Burgh and I both felt that this War Office proposal was not unreasonable. In the first place, the manpower available for I.S. duties would remain at the same level as we had previously thought necessary (i.e. approx. 5,500); in the second place, the re-deployment would not in fact involve withdrawal of a complete major unit, and elements of that unit would therefore still be manifestly visible in Hong Kong, with a beneficial psychological effect. However, the Governor may have different views when we consult him.
2.
Page 73
Asankey
(J.A. Sankey) 18th June, 1959
Perlian luight sold the positio
on x. on the assumption that, out of the this photo of 283
it suum that the ban office is prouding
Page
of the Far Easter forces, the size stew Houg