00142
58
TY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)
OF STAFF COMMITTEE
58
COPY NO.
cm
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
restrictions. Further information is given in the
T OF 3 COMMANDO BRIGADE
!
Chief of Combined Operations
taff will recall that* 3 Commando Brigade
Kong at the time of the Japaneso collapso Perang, and that it has romained in on garrison dutics.
I suggested, and the Chiefs of Staff agreed,
s not a proper role for Royal Marine
heir presence in Hong Kong should not be
for their employment in that role, in the
is a special measure dictated by an
their stay has been extended, from time rrent agreement is that they should remain April, 1947.7
f the future peacetime garrison in
under discussion, pending a decision on Canisation and training of the proposed rectbut, whatever the outcome may be,
stay of the Commando Brigade in Hong Kong ded longer than is absolutely necessary,
Cacons:-
ide has fallen below the standard of a Commando Brigade, and there isibility of that standard being whilst the Brigadó is employed coont role (described at Annex).
.ist formation is thus being
in carryin; out duties which
bettor undertaken by other unito.
' COS(45) 201st Mtg.
COS(45) 281st Mtg.
L
Cos(46) 90th Mtg.
+
Co8(46) 116th Mtg.
-1-
00143
5.
(c)
(a)
If the Commando Brigade were re-trained to its former high standard of officiency, it is submitted that it would be a most valuable asset as a mobile strategic reserve to meet emergencies in imperial policing.
The 6th Airborne Division is being withdrawn from garriaon duties in Palestine for exactly parallel reasons.
(c) The Commando Brigade, consisting of only three
Commandos, is very inferior in strength to an Infantry Brigade. If it is uvontually decided that a British rigade is required in Hong Kong, then the Commando Brigade could not be regarded as a suitable substituto.
I was informed by the Chief of Staff to S. A. C. S.E. A., and the G.0. C. llong Kong, at a recent informal meeting, that they were extremely desirous of retaining the Commando Brigado until the 31st May, 1947, but that they would then be ablo
I therefore suggest that to see their way to releasing it. that date should be confirmed, and that 3 Commando Brigado should be definitely withdrawn at the end of that period.
6. As the Commando Brigado is to be part of our post-war force, it is dosirable that it should be moved to a location
The ideal where it could be re-organised and re-trained. location would be the United Kingdom, where its roforming could be most casily carried out.
I consider that within six months of its arrival in this country the Brigado will be ready for a further period
of operations overseas, possibly in the Middle East, where
it may be possible to provide amphibious training for it in Cyprus.
RECOMMENDATION
7.
:
I therefore recommend that:-
(a) The Chiefs of Staff should agree to
3 Commando Brigade being retained in
Hong Kong until 31st May, 1947.
(b) Approval should be given for the Brigado to return to the United Kingdom for re-forming and re-training in its Commando role, as soon after the 1st May, 1947, aв is practicable.
(Signed) R. E. LAYCOCK
Offices of the Cabinet and
Minister of Defence, S.W.1.
8TH SEPTEMBER 1946.
-2-
า
1 2
Ref.:
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
€
N
us of it may be subject to copyright
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Na
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your stora Archives' lesfiet.
Page 650Page 651