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SEAT
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SECRET.
Sale $36
I send copies KMEDY
FAL Syphone
splease
Desp.1717 10.11.39. Recd.1220 10.11.39.
From: -
Commander Tientsin Area Tientsin.
TO
G.O.C. Hong Kong Repeated to The War Office.
IMMEDIATE.
G/99 Cipher 10/11.
F11776
11 NOV 1939
French commandant called 10th November and stated he has
received orders that French garrison North China is to be reduced
and that only one battalion and administrative troops will remain
Tientsin area. Approximate distribution three companies Tientsin
with detachments of about 50 Peking, about 30 Tangku and small
detachments at Chinwang tao and Shanhaikuan. French commandant also
stated he had instructions to inform the foreign commandants verbally
of this reduction at the same time as I inform them. Arrangements
will be made to do this as soon as instructions are received from
British Ambassador Tokyo stating when he will inform the Japanese
Government. He stated in view of preponderence of British shipping
and difficulty of chartering British ships in war time he will
probably request us to assist in provision of shipping to transport
about 600 troops with their families and large quantity of stores
from Tientsin to Shanghai or Indo China.
C.4. (Telegrams).
Copies to:-
To M.0.2. (for action),
S. of S.
P.U.S.
C.I.G.S.
D.C.I.G.S.
D.M.O. & P.
D.P.
D. of Movements.
D. of Quartering.
M.0.1.2.2A.
M.I.2.20.
Mr. Howe (Foreign Office). First Lord (Admiralty).
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