2
Ref.:
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafle
i note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' larms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh
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CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES"
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restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafel 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 copyrigl
1.
ANNEX
Draft Report to the Defence Committee
Commander-in-Chief, ALFSEA wishes to obtain a
decision on the Normal Peace-Time Army Garrison of Hong Kon
He recommends that this Garrison should be one British
Infantry Brigade and one Field Regiment.
2. On the 9th March, 1946, the Defence Committee approved** the policy whereby Hong Kong should be regarded as an
undefended port, and agreed that although Hong Kong could
not be defended against an attack by a major power in
occupation of the Chinese mainland, it could be used as an
operational naval and air base in a war in the Pacific
in which China was in friendly hands.
3.
On the 8th March, 1946, the Defence Committee also
agreed*
a** that forces of the order of one Brigade and half
a flying boat squadron, with units of the British Pacific Fleet providing; such naval co-operation as might be necessary,
would be required in peace for some considerable time, to
ensure internal security, as a precaution against piracy,
and as a deterrent to an attempt at incursion by Chinese
Guerilla5. It was agreed that the present Army Garrison
of two Brigades should be reduced to one Drigade for
this purpose, directly that the re-establishment of the
Police Force permitted.
4.
The present position as regards the Army Garrison
is as follows:-
(1)
3 Commando Brigade, consisting of one Army Commando
and three Marine Commandos, is in Hong Kong.
The Army Commando will waste out by December, 1946,
leaving only the three Marine Commandos.
(11) The Indian Government have agreed that 150 Indian
Infantry Brigade, which is now in Hong Kong, may
remain there for the present.
MEE
D.0.(46) 7th Meeting, Minute 1
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