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TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM
WARNING This message must be thoroughly paraphrased if its text is to be published or communicated outside British or American Services or Departments. It re-transmitted unparaphrased other than through the Cabinet Office, the originator must mark the message "to be sent in One-Time Pad."
IMPORTANT
From: A. fil. S. S.Ü.
02 5225 TUO 201742L TOD 2018402
Το : C.-in-C. British Pacific Fleet*
Rpta: S... C. S. E. ...
F55847/147/G |
Seen
3/9.
جبل
5225
J.S.M. Washington
X CUS A
20th August,1945.
Following from Chiefs of Staff.
Further to our TUO 141235A (not to SACSEA or
J.S.M.) it is proposed to employ R. A. F. Airfield
Constructional Force in SHIELD convoy at Hongkong. This force will ultimately be administered and maintained by S. A.C.S.E. A. Force has only one month's supply of rations and P.v.L.
2.
"Empress of Australia" has on board 3,000
AS personnel of this force equipped with small arms. latest information from Australian Government indicates that Australian Brigade will not be available for temporary occupational duties in Hungkong and as it is estimated that forces from S.E. A. C. cannot arrive before end of 1st week in September, you may use SHIELD force for guard, patrol, and such other duties as you may think appropriate in the meanwhile.
3.
You should therefore arrange to sail this force to Hongkong as soon as practicable and to maintain it until such time as 3.A.C.S.B. A. can take over tais responsibility. You should make all arrangements with S. A. C. S. E. A. keeping us informed.
4.
In addition to "Empress of Australia" SHIELD force contains 8 cargo ships carrying equipment and one months supplies. it is intended that this force should be used ultimately for construction of airfields for aircraft of occupation forces and for aircraft staging along China Coast to Shanghai and Japan.
A
Despatched by Admiralty,
TOU 201722A.
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