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DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO BE LIMITED TO THOSE OFFICERS WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH ITS CONTENTS
TOP SECRET
IN
WARNING: This is an unparaphrased version of a secret cypher or confidential code message, and the text must first be paraphrased* if it is essential to communicate it to persons outside British or Allied Government Services.
(*NOTE: Messages shown as having been sent in a One-Time Pad: "O.T.P." are excepted from this rule.)
From C. in C. B.B.F.
160549/August
Date
16/8/45
... Timo 1310
155240/1147/*
NAVAL CYPHER (BB) BY CABLE
Addressed Admiralty
Repeated: C.T.F. 111
IMMEDIATE
GUARD
2.
Your 151658 and your 151159 both passed to C.T.F. 111. Your 151658 para. 1(one) see my 150840 and 150232.
It is expected T.G. 2 T.F. 111 can arrive off Hong Kong on 26th August.
3.
4.
Urgent negotiations with Australian Government are still in progress (para, 3 of my 150840 refers) and today offers better hope that mobilo ships at Subic Bay acting under orders of A.C.N.B. may be made available for Hong Kong.
5.
If negotiations are successful it should be possible for H.M.S. SHROPSHIRE H.M.A.S. HOBART H.M.A.S. WARRAMUNGA and BATAAN together with ships in para, 1(one)(a) of my 150840 to arrive off Hong Kong 2 days after Australian Government has approved. Entry however may be dependent on arrival of Australian M/S which A.C.N.B. is sailing with all despatch from Monclad and which should reach Subic Bay on 20th August.
Australian
66 Your 151658 para, 2 has been appreciated. Government may now be available in place of American but until British bulk Diol supplies are assured we are dependent on American my 1503440 para. 4 refers.
7.
Your 151658 para. 3. It will be seen that all possible information was given to Admiralty in C.T.F. 111's 121323 and signals quoted in my para. 2 above.
8*
The earliest intimation of H.M. Government's policy regarding Hong Kong was on receipt of A.M. 130042 repeating Foreign Office telegram 859. On 11th August steps had been taken to prepare T.G. 2 of T.F. 111 and to complete with urgent rehabilitation and medical stores for Hong Kong and force was sailed at earliest practicable date.
9. T.G. 3 of T.F. 37 under A.C. 1 returning from a position to the eastward of Japan, could not be diverted to Hong Kong for following reasons
(a)/
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