CO. Pesentativ
(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC KAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT!,
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COMITTER OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE.
OVERSEA DEFENCE COMMIMIDE.
SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE COLPOSITION AND ORGANISATION OF
LOCAL FORCES.
FONG KONG LOCAL FORCES.
Note by the Naval Steff.
Remarks on the significance of, and local forces
required at, Hong Kong, and an approximate estimate of the
personnel required for these services in the event of war
in the Far East and European war.
1.
Strategical Importance of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is a naval anchorage of the greatest
importance, being the only defended advanced base from
which operations could be conducted against Japan in the
event of war with that country. It possesses large
repair facilities and eight docks, the two largest of
which can accommodate a "Kent" class cruiser. In
addition, it will be a convoy assembly port, roate giving
unit, an arming port for defensively equipped merchant
vessels, and, in the event of European war, a contraband
control base. There are stocks of naval oil fuel at
the port and there will eventually be storage capacity for
48,000 tons.
2.
Scule of Seaborne Attack.
As stated in C.I.D. Paper No. 169-C in the event
of war in the East, Hong Kong will be exposed to the
maximum scale of attack. In a European war, it is
considered that the scale of attuck to be anticipated will
bo:-
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