002 75

1 is 1,400 yards,

The approaches

Llls and in consequence the airfield

It is not considered that this

Ith modern standards.

tages of Kai Tak a now airfield is

lis airfield should be available

tim. Thon completed the modern aircraft by day or night. 30 yards but is capable of red.

Ids should be adequate for most

way call for onergency facilities.

both Kai Tak and Ping Shan may be

i alternative landing strips my now being surveyed near Fanling

Lon of the flying boat squadron in

on the uso to thich it may be put

employmert in an emergency.

It

solod potential as a combat aircraft, irenent in the Colony under present

t dividend in time of emergency.

to supplement the air transport

I to support the air lift

Lon it can be used for motoorological

The value of a flying boat

d is a present day requirement.

that the retention of a flying ied.

ir bases in China from which aircraft

os on Hong Kong. Counter strikes

tes would achieve very littlo unless reliable and up-to-date reconnais- potential air bases during peace

ress should bo kept under

I could be adequately fulfilled by a referably single-engined aircraft uadron organization for maintainance

ir baber or reconnaissance aircraft

a flight of some 1,400 miles from

r hand, a satisfactory route for a

ter range and navigation limitations

route which is feasible for fighters

2

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

2

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives'

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' larms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

leafal

-17-

002 76

Hngapore

Kota Bahru.

(305 nautical miles

Kota Bahru Saigon

-

Saigon

(381

B

IN

Turane

(333

Turane Samar

Somer

(152

11

14

Hong Hong

(365

10

24

This route, however, requires staging through a Chinese airfiell. should this facility not be available the alternative would appear to be reinforcement by aircraft carrier or with long range fightors capable of flying direct from Singapore to ilong Kong.

CONCLUSION.

25.

It is felt that the above suggestion, if implemented would result in there being available in Hong Kong a balanced air force capable of undertaking the air problems connected with the defence of the Colony on the scale of a "small ar1 against local forces unsupported by a major power. The composition of forces to fulfil these requirements are outlined in ection VII. Any consideration of the problem outside these terms of reference would require a fresh ap recinti on.

2

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' lalal

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

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