00171
I be sent to
ttoo should be
scale of
at Hong Kong
m policy,
ccount.
be invited to
a volunteer tion of the auxiliary
vices should Jo Service lal Office
.B.. is
STEVENS THOMPSON
EDVARDES-JONES
Ref.:
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and condit
N
and that your use of it may be subject to copyngh
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.
dur that
an be dealt
ly by telegram.
00172
ANNEX II
EXAMINATION OF C.-IN-C. HONG KONG'S
RECOMMENDATIONS
We examine below C.-in-0. Hong Kong's detailed recommendations for the forces required at Hong Kong in the light of our policy as set out in the main paper.
2,
NAVY
O.-in-C. Hong Kong estimates that in addition to the British Pacific Fleet the following Naval forces will be required for the defence of Hong Kong.
Local Defence flotilla - 4 destroyers or frigates
Bombarding force
- 2 River Gunboats
(6 L.C.T.
(1 L. S. I. (M)
Amphibious lift
-(6 L. C. I. (L)
Inshore patrols
-
16 H.D. M. L.
- 4 B.Y.M.S.
N
Ref.
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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 Archived terms and conditions and that your use of II may be subject to copyright
Minesweeping force
Comment
3.
General - In view of the J. I. C. report (Annex I), we doubt the necessity of locking up in Hong Kong local
naval defence forces of the above scale. The British Pacific Fleet will be based on Hong Kong and should afford sufficient local protection.
4. Local Defence Flotilla. We agree that destroyers or frigates will be required to operate from Hong Kong for the suppression of piracy and other acts of violence in the Hong Kong area, It is more suitable that this duty should be undertaken by ships detached from the B.P.F. rather than by forming a special local defence flotilla. It will be for the Admiralty to decide on how this commitment is met when the future disposition of the post-war Navy is made.
5.
Bombarding force. Though we do not consider this an essential requirement there are three gunboats on passage to Singapore where they will be placed in reserve. We consider that two of these could be, with advantage, placed in reserve at Hong Kong where, in addition to meeting 0.-in-C. Hong Kong's requirements they could be used as depot ships for inshore patrol craft and would be readily available for service on Chinese rivers should this be called for.
6.
Amphibious Lift. Action has already been taken to place 6 L.C.T. and L.C.I.(L) in reserve at Hong Kong.
An L.S.I. (M) will not be required (soe paragraph 11 below).
7.
Inshore Patrols. We agree that 16 H.D. M.L. will be required temporarily for inshore patrols, to prevent the infiltration of agents and the smuggling of arms into the colony, until the local police force can take over.
-1-
า