00365
TOP SECRET.
le against a serious
ainland of China.
in Section III the will be:
xrces attacking the
y amphibious assault
vu.
i forces.
: our own land forces
1 V Paragraph I (e),
olence during periods
o assist (c) and to
the smuggling of
by means of Picket
wept channels clear of
against attack by
er craft and junks.
't should overland
for bonbardments.
d air support.
la is considered to
, (b) and (e) above,
a are light craft,
mparative quiet
at vessels can be
lestroyers or
fic Fleet, should
12
cms
Ref.:
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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2
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00386
3.
BOMBARDMENT FORCES.
Although ships could be drawn from the British Pacific Flect to give support by barabardment to land forces in the Bias Bay area, the waters on the western boundaries are so shallow that only river gun-boats are suitable for this duty. As three river gun- boats are believed to be held in reserve on the East Indian Ocean, it is proposed that two of these be transferred to HONG KONG. could be used as depot ships... minor war vessels employed on in- shoro patrol.
4.
PROVISION OF LIDING CRAFT.
These
Sufficient landing craft must be maintained to provido the lift for the minor military expedition outlined in Section V, paragraph I (0), This is for a total of 750 men and 37 vehicles.
6 L. C. T. Ik.III or IV and 6 1 (L) are considered to be sufficient for this purpose.
As it has been recormended that the strength of
LL
the garrison in HONG KONG should increased from 1 Infantry Brigade to a Division less Infantry Brigle Group, further consideration should be gå en to the allocation of one L.I.. for use as a Brigado lift and as a dopot for otior landing craft. This L.S. with the romainder of landing craft above could provide lift for a ninor expedition to the China Coast (vide Section V (e) and also for transport duties.
5. THE PROVISION OF IN-SHORE PATROL CRAFT.
In order to provide sufficient in-shore patrols to meet the sonic of attack in paragraph 1 (f), it is considered that two flotillas of 8 HD. L's should be maintained at HONG KONG. Ono flotilla has already arrived, four of which have been converted for minesweeping duty. These are only required until such time as the police farcos have adequate cft.
6. PROVISION OF KINESWEEPING VESSELS,
It is considered that anco the waters of the Colony have been swept clear of mines laid prior to the cessation of hostilities with Japan, 4 BYi's and 4 ILL... L's would be sufficient to keep Swopt Channels open for the passage of ships.
7.
PREVENTION OF ATTACK BY SLALL CRAFT, MIDGET SUBLARINES AND IRREGULAR FORCES IN SAMPANS AND JUKS.
Owing to the large amount of junk traffic and fishing craft plying the waters of HONG KONG, it is not considered practicable to provide positive protection against this form of attack. Prior intelligence of intended attacks and sound internal organization for repelling these attacks by ships in harbour should be relied upon.
8. AIR SUPPORT.
The air defence of the Colony is the responsibility of the Royal Air Force. Any naval aircraft ashore would be placed at the disposal of the Air Officer Commanding. The following aircraft will
I
Επι
Ref:
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
e nota that this copy is supplied subject to the Nations Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh
restrictions. Further
information is given in the enclosed "Terms
and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.