00204
X II
C. HONG LONGE
DATIONS
-in-C. Hong Kong's detailed
forces required at Hong Kong in as set out in the main paper.
estimates thet in addition to
t the following Neval forces
defence of Hong Kong.
11c
- 4 Destroyers or Irigates
2 Fiver Gunboats
(6 L.C.T.
(6 L.C.I.(L)
(1 L.5.I.(14)
Ref.
note that this copy is
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.
al to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigl
6 H.D.M.L.
- AD.Y.M.S.
116. We agree that four
ill be required to operate from ssion of piracy and other acts ..ong areE. The British Pacific sed on long long and it is more y should be undertaken for
Eched from the 3.P.F. rather
1 local defence flotilla.
to decide on how this
It
he future disposition of the
Though we do not consider this
there are three gunboats on
ro they will be placed in reserve, these could be, with advantage, ong where, in addition to ng's requirements they could
or inshore patrol craft and would
service on Chinese rivers
ir,
Action has already been taken to ..(L) in reserve at Long Kong. required (see paragraph 10
We agree that 16 H.D.H.i. will be
⚫ inshore patrols, to prevent
its and the smuggling of arms into ocal police force can take over.
00205
Ratk
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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 copyrigi
7.
Mine sweeping. The provision of mine sweepers cannot be considered essential in view of the J.I.C. estimate that mining is only likely if hostilities break out with the Central Govornment of China and that the likelihood of this in the next 10 years is so remote as to be negligible. The question of laying up reserve ainos:cepors at Hong on, as an insurance, should, however, be considered when nine clearance operations have been completed in the Far East,
Arny
8. C.-in-C. ong nong, ectiuctes the land forces required as one division les.: ono brigade disposed as follows :-
Control of Frontier
and New Torritories
1.owloon
Hong Kong Island
One Brigade Group plus Div.Recce, and Div.
.. battalion
One Brigade Group less
one battalion
Two battalions (including
Divisional Defence battalion)
He also states that there is a requirement for an assault lat for one brigade for a minor seaborne expedition to the Chinn Coast in the event of a serious deterioration of the Chinese situation.
Comment
9. The C-in-C's. requirements are based on his appreciation of forces required to meet a threatened attack by a Chinese Mar Lord with a force of 75,000 mon.
the
The present garrison consists of two brigades; second brigade has been provided primarily for police duties since the Hong Kong, Police Force is not yet of adequate strength. The Colonial Office have stated that they have for a long time prat regarded the recruiting and despatch of adequate reinforcements to the European Police Force in long ong as a matter of urgency and importance, and steps ar being taken to this end.
The C.-in-C's. appreciation is presumably bosed on combination of the tactical requirements of the ground and the strength and rrasment of a potential attacker, We cannot question his views on the forces required tactically but our consultations with the J.1.C. lead us to the view that an attack by a Chinese War Lord is exceedingly improbable if there is a garrison of the nature of a brigade in being as a deterrent.
-9-
ๆ
Page 245Page 246
00205
reepors
e J.I.C.
litics
na and that
is so
laying up
urance,
arence
st.
forces
sposed as
Group plus
and Div. lion
Group less
ion
ns (including
Defence
lent for an
Joine
of a serious
on his
hreatened
f75,000 men,
rigades;
for police not yet of
the
e stated that
recruiting and
European
gency and
is end.
bly besed on
of the ground
1 attacker.
required
.I.C. lead
War Lord is
son of the
cms
Ref.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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 copyrigh