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1915
11.
F4449/1147/9./0
W.O.comnd.
Recid: 22nd July
Last Paper.
F-4229.
References.
(Print.)
(How disposed of.)
(Action completed.)
REF 13077 KM
KW
(Index.).
Next Paper,
F4739
PAR EASTERN
F4449/G 154
#1 JUL 1945
Re-capture of Hong Kong.
Copy of tel.ho. 0/0114 (M.0.12) 19 July 9. Has discussed question
with Ambassador & Gen. Canton de Wicat; gives details of confined opuiion.
(Minutes.)
Up till the opening of the Potsdam Conference there had been no indications as to the moment or the manner of the recapture of Hong Kong and there was no reason to suppose that it was an immediate possibility. As part of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong is in Chiang Kai-shek's theatre of command. Nevertheless the most likely way in which Hong Kong would be recaptured has so far seemed to be by a sea- borne operation by the Americans;or,conceivably, by ourselves after arrangements with the Americans, since the Pacific and the China Sea through which such an expedition would have to pass are in the American theatre.
Our own Joint Planning Staff had considered the possibility of an attack on Hong Kong as one of several operations which might follow the recapture of Singapore. But no definite project has yet been seriously assumed, pursaid,
Meanwhile the Japanese withdrawal on the South China coast is bringing Chinese forces nearer to the Canton area and although no details have yet been supplied, the U.S. Chiefs of Staff have informed our Chiefs of Staff at the Potsdam Conference that General Wedemeyer is/contemplating an offensive in the direction of Canton and probably Hong Kong.
Row
**
iniqul
The Colonial Office have hitherto based their plans for resuming the administration of Hong Kong on the assumption that its recapture would be by American or British forces operating from the sea. So far as China is concerned they have only had in mind the possibility that the Japanese might pull out without a fight and that Hong Kong might be occupied by Chinese regular forces (perhaps Kuomintang or perhaps Communist) operating in the neighbourhood. They had therefore devised a scheme for the rapid infiltration of British personnel into Hong Kong,on the first sign of the Japanese withdrawal, to organise and direct an emergency administration pending the arrival of a British Commander with regular occupational forces. There is already a small British military unit known as the British Army Aid Group (B.A.A.G.) operating in South East China for the
26513 F.O.F.
purpose/
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