(a)
(b)
(c)
there would probably be several landings and advances from several directions.
It appears that the enemy would probably adopt this second course of action. By doing so he would almost entirely defeat the first object of the defence. At the same time if the defence forces were dispersed in an attempt to prevent him doing that, then he could at the same time defeat the second and greater part of the third objects of the defence. Course open to the defence.
The defence could-
Try to prevent the enemy landing. As already pointed out, this attempt could hardly hope for success.
Concentrate all efforts on trying to defeat the enemy when once on shore. But as the enemy could advance fromseveral direct- ions, and from each direction in superior numbers to the whole Garrison, such actio could, at best, only hold him up for a very short time.
It therefore appears that the first object of the defence, as defined in paragraph 1, is unattainable, and that any attempt to attain it would involve the loss of both the second and third objects.
This being so, the only course open to the Defence is to make the best of a bad job; give up all idea of attempting to hold the place intact for use as a British Naval Base, and concentrate on preventing the enemy using it and making it as uselessas possible to him if he does capture it.
Both these two latter objects could be attained, so long as only a portion of the defences could be held. It remains therefore, to be seen what this portion should be.
It cannot be on the Mainland, because the enemy could there make full use of his superior numbers, and quickly overcome all resistance.
It cannot be on Stonecutters Island, because the size and resources of the Island are far too small to allow it to resist for more than a very short time. Moreover, even if that Island were held, it would not altogether deny to the enemy, the use of the greater pårt of the harbour and its resources.
There remains only the Island of Hongkong. So long as this were held, the enemy could use no part of the harbour, and from it the destruction of many of the resources of the place could be carried out.
The retention of the Island of Hongkong would, therefore, enable the defence to ful- fil its second and third objects.
The fulfilment of this second object,
by