1
2
Cms
Ref.:
CO 537/1427
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives'
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Teens and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
}
00200
12.
The two sites were discussed on 15th February 1946 frm 1100 hours to 1300 hours, md from 1600 hours to 1800 hours, in. full conference with the C.-in-C., À0. C., G.O.C., Chief Civil Affairs Officer, and respective staffs. The C.-in-C. 's signal dated 15th February 1946 vs written ut at the end of the conference
Brigadier McDougall, Chief Civil affairs Officer, emphasised that the Chinese were now on a psychological watur-shed, If we diu nothing within the next six months they would slide down on the American side, in view of developments at White Cloud (Canton). Apparently we were bound to miss the boat anyhow, and so from his point of view he would far rather wait for an extra your to get a a really suitable civil airport at Deep Bay than have an airfield at Ping Shan which both Civil Aviation and B.O.A.C. representatives advise would not be suitable for regular scheduled air services in all weathers. He would, therefore, not be prepared to recommend any financial contribution to Ping Shan but would do so for Deep Bay. He asked that when Deep Bay was made, would the R.. F. and Civil be prepared to give up Ki tak as it was such valuable land that its sale would pay for the Civil share of Deep Bay. I expressed it as my personal opinion only that to give it up would be unwise at present, as with the development of helicopters and small feudür line uircraft it might be more advantageous to ily passengers in from Deep Bay, and in any case, aircraft rumiruments might be subject to big reductions in the next 20 years.
The Brigadier said that he hoped Hong Kong would become a big air centre both from the trade point of view and its psychological importance vis-a-vis the Chinese. He supposed that ultimutely a civil airport would include a hotel or rest-house at Deep Bay and that through passengers would not necessarily come into Hong Kong.
?
One of the difficulties at Ping Shan would be that it is so far below civil standards for large airports that even if the British used it, it would be unlikely to be used by large aircraft of other nations, who might well insist on the agreed minimum international standards for any of their regular ports of call. It does seem perfectly feasible to maintain civil air lines to Hong Kong by means of flying boats, but this would probably inean restriction to British boats and might not attract foreign trade or aircraft.
13. Morale. The C.-in-C., 4.0.C., and R.... F. Works Officers, emphasised that the morale of the Airfield Construction Wing had been kept up by preaching the importance of Ping Shan. Any change now would necessitate the immediate withdrawal of the Wing. It did not appear to me that this would have such a devistating effect upon construction as was stated; as in any case the strength of the Wing will, I understand, be reduced from about 1500 to 400 by June of this year as the
Chinese result of postings home for domobilisation. personnel have been, no are in process of being, trained to work the plant, and it should be possible to obtain a sufficient number of volunteers to remain in a supervisory capacity.
The Mission pressed for an immediate survey of the Deep Bay site, but this was considered impracticable in view of the morale of the men. If the Deep Bay site were to be accuptud it might, therefore, be necessary to accept a further delay of 2 to 4 months for the survey to be made. The local Works Officers had prepared very full
2
Cms
Ref.:
CO 537/1427
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Ins
2
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet. Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright