ANNEX I
FJ. I.C. (46) 7 (0) (Revised Fincl)
RUARY, 1946.
7TH
J
00201
HONG KONG DEFENCE PLAN
Report by the Joint Intelligence Sub-Committoc
We have boon asked by the Joint Planning Staff to examine Sections II and III of an appreciation by the Commander-in-Chief, Hong Kong, on the Defence of Hong Kong, with a view to assessing the potential threat to Hong Kong, and commenting on the necessity for an intelligence organisation included in the Commander-in-Chief, Hong recommendations. Our remarks are as follows:-
Kong's
2,
It is considorod that, at present, no nation except China is likely to undertake to wrest Hong Kong from British hands. The possibility of a major war between China and Great Britain in the next ten years is so remote as to be negligible. In any other attempt to recover the Colony
the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. A. might give China diplomatic support.
3.
Tho Chinese aro singularly inept at mounting an attack and, in fact, have never scored a major success in the course of their eight years war with Japan.
FORCES AVAILABLE
4.
The fighting forcos at Chinc's disposal are estimated
to be briefly as follows:-
(a) Navy
The Chinese navy has never boun, and is never likely to be, an efficient fighting force.
(b) Army
The most efficient troops in the prosent day
Chinese Army are those trained and equipped by the Americans. They amount to approximately twenty divisions and number about 390,000 personnel. They cro equipped with infantry weapons and also with field and medium artillery. The efficiency of the artillery personnel is not of a high standard. Some captured Japanese A. F. Vs may be available but a co- ordinated attack by armoured formations is unlikely. Air support has not been developed
-5-
يا
2
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
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