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Ex hast from cos (45) 2445 M 7.10.45
INTENDED VISIT OF U.S. NAVAD FORCES 945ONG KONG
concerning
THE COMMITTEE had before them two telegrams' + the arrival of American naval forces in Hong Kong. Rear Admiral Buckmaster had arrived in Ingham with 5 D.E.
and one repair ship, and had said that one soapleno tonder and
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5 C. V. E. s were expected in about a week. Admiral Buckmaster had stated that these forces were to be based at Hong Kong indefinitely for duty in these waters, and that he intended setting up amenities ashore, although T. F. 74 would be entirely self-supporting as regards oilers and provision ships, and that harbour craft would follow.
SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM said that so far as he knew C.-in-C. Hong Kong had no previous information of the arrival of these forces, and that Admiral Fraser, in reply to a signal, had said that he had not received warning of this visit. Admiral Fraser said further that he was asking Admiral Nimitz what instructions had been given to the Commander of Task Force 74, and also enquiring whether these forces were to be used for the movement of Chinese armies. He (Sir Andrew Cunningham) said that possibly these forcos were being placed under the orders of General Wedemeyer for use in the China Theatre, but that in any case it had been agreed that movements in the Hong Kong area should be subject to the concurrence of the C.-in-C. Hong Kong. He thought that possibly the best way to deal with this would be first to obtain from the C. -in-C. Hong Kong confirmation that he had not received any previous information or warning of this impending visit, and thon to ask Admiral Fraser to take it up with Admiral Nimitz.
SIR CHARLES PORTAL suggested that it might be advisable to take it up simultaneously with the U.S. Chiefs of Staff.
After discussion it was agreed to await a reply from the C.-in-C. Hong Kong, and then to ask Admiral Fraser to raise it direct with Admiral Nimitz.
SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM then raised the question of the very small garrison at present in Hong Kong, and said that the C.-in-C. Hong Kong might find himself in difficulties if in fact Chinese armies were going to pass through the port.
SIR ARCHIBALD NYE said that the War Office wore cir- culating a momorandum on this subject, which should be available in time for discussion at the mooting on the next day.
SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM said it might be possible to arrange for the additional troops to be sent to Hong Kong in C. V. E. s, and that he would take this matter up with Admiral Power.
THE COMMITTEE:
Invited the Admiralty to send a signal to the
C.-in-C. Hong Kong to find.out whether he hud received any previous information or request regarding this U.S. visit of naval forces,
+ FOWA. 070818 and CTF. 111,080150
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