13021/4.
00034
Cor. Charters
101
IMMEDIATE
From:
SEALF
ΤΟ
TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM
RECEIVED BY O.T.P.
* CABINET OFFICES
SEACOS 798.
IZ 4975 TOO 100400Z TOR 1021052
RECEIVED
11 DLC 1946
C.O. REGY.
10th December, 1946.
From South East Asia Secretariat.
For Chiefs of Staff from British Defence Committee in South East Asia.
(36)
1.
Further to SEACOS 785 TOO 120515 November.
We have obtained the views of the Governor of Hong Kong on the question of the retention of Landing Craft. These ( 5 corrupt groups) +
It is still considered that the assault lift of one battalion should be provided, maintained, and manned as part of the garrison of Hong Kong in order that, if the colony is threatened by the rising of a War Lord in Southern China, it may if necessary, be possible to mount an amphibious assault on a nearby strategic point in Chinese territory, The assumptions on which Admiral Harcourt based his appreciation forwarded to you under Reference 58/2, dated 24th December 1945, are considered to be sound and it cannot be agreed that the minimum defence needs of Hong Kong will be met if a battalion lift is not provided.
(b) Further consultation has taken place between Naval and Military Commanders who are how agreed that, in view of the difficulty of maintaining and manning Landing Craft, the Army requirements of a lift for one battalion with(?) transport can be provided by one LCI (L) and the Ramp Cargo Lighters at present employed at Hong Kong augmented by ten similar craft.
(c) Provided therefore, that one LCI(L) cau be retained, ten additional RCLS are supplied and suitable replacements made available as the LCI(L) and RCLS become unserviceable, six LCT and five LCI(L) can be relessed from Hong Kong.
+ Check and repeat has been requested.
N
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
5
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 copyrigh
ว
2.
the Gove:
The one
the assau you appro and the are reque be repla
CIRCULAT
Defence Foreign
First Se Message A.M.C.S. C.C.O.
S. of S. S. of S.
S. of S.
Gen. Sir Major Gi
Page 495Page 496
00034
13021/4. Cor. Chstums
101
2
cms
Ref.:
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
7
N
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafer
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and condillons and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
YPHER TELEGRAM
) BY O.T.P.
IZ 4975
TOO 10040OZ
TOR 102105Z
RECEIVED
11 DLC 1946
0.0. REGY.
10th December, 1946.
Asia Secretariat.
aff from British Defence :ia.
S 785 TOO 120515 November.
the views of the Governor .on of the retention of
corrupt groups) +
sidered that the assault lift provided, maintained, and rison of Hong Kong in order reatened by the rising of a a, it may if necessary, be
ibious assault on a nearby
e territory, The assumptions
based his appreciation
ference 58/2, dated 24th
ered to be sound and it cannot
m defence needs of Hong Kong
n lift is not provided.
nsultation has taken place
'y Commanders who are now agreed iculty of maintaining and
e Army requirements of a lift
transport can be provided
ip Cargo Lighters at present mented by ten similar craft.
.herefore, that one LCI(L) can
al RCLS are supplied and
le available as the LCI(L) and
},
six LCT and five LCI(L)
g Kong.
and repeat has been requested.