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(8)
00088
Answer.
RN.
It is presumed that forces will be available from B.P.F.
The for all operations in which the Navy could help. extent of this help must depend on their commitments in S.E. ASIA.
In addition to other vessels of the Pacific Fleet, it is estimated that the following would normally be required to
be made available locally :
+
+
ARMY.
Four Destroyers or frigates
Two River Gunboats
(Six Landing Craft Tank Mk III or IV
(Six Landing Craft Infantry (Large)
(Sixteen Harbour Defence Motor launches
including four fitted for minesweeping,
Provided European maintenance crews are available
it is proposed that the river gunboats should be held in reserve at HONG KONG but without these crews their presence in HONG KONG is NOT justified.
All to be in reserve except for 6 of the H.D.M.L's
for which it is proposed that crews should be asked.
Aircraft.
One C.V.L. C.A.G (Light Fleet Carrier with aircraft).
and
It is considered that until such time as the Police Volunteer forces are up to strength and fully trained the minimum garrison required for the Colony is :
R.A.E.
Two BRITISH Infantry Brigades
Two Field Artillery Regiments
and
Ancillary Troops.
It is, however, considered that, once the Police and Volunteer Forces are in a position to take over their commitments and the movement of CHINESE troops through KOWLOON has ceased, it would be sufficient to have one of the above Brigades and one Regiment of Artillery at call from SEAC reserve and NOT necessarily permanently stationed in the Colony.
All troops stationed in the Colony should be white, but this need not apply to the reinforcements.
As emphasised in 58/2 (1.e. HONG KONG Defence Plan of 24th December, 1945) the most vital requirement is the installation of radar cover augmented by a G.C.I. filter operations room. It is planned to make use of the Signal Section of the local Volunteer Forces as a backing for R.A.F. Radar operators.
The Air Force fighter squadron was disbanded in April last and all radar is now inoperative.
cms
Ref.
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
e that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
restactions Further information is
is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leallet