01/28/48
Gusor 18
Cypher (0.T. P.)
OUTWARD TELEGR
Retina Whi Suth
←
IMPORTANT
SECRET
No.1842
TO HONG KONG (31F A. Grantham)
Sent 2nd December, 1948. 13.00 hrs.
Addressed to Governor, Hong Kong.
Repeated to Commissioncr-General, South East Asia,
No. 517.
117
Your telegram No. 1068 Secret.
Measures for dealing with possible emergency
in Hong Kong.
10 Chiefs of Staff have asked (cmianders-in-Chief Far East to prepare appreciation of way in which Hong Kong situation will develop. I understand that Commanderg- in-Chief Parelf and Far East Station will visit Hong Kong shortly,
2. Beauwhile Chiefs of Staff have sent interim reply to my representations on the following lines: Miore is DO objection to your seeking military usuievance if situation Coes beyond control of civil administration; roles of garrison An Hong Kong are however joval defense of Colcay anđ maintenance of lew and order; and while there is no question that garrison will give all posaible aastatenus in energency, it would be dangerous to reduce it by using it for aŭministrative tasks comected wità refugee problems and public services at a time when its main efforts would need to be devoted to primer tasks. It is intended to send one Gurkha battalion to Hong Kong from Halay in Docter to bring garrison up to its permaneci atrength. (I underetazi that 2/6 Murkhas will leave Singapore by sec on 26th Deɩaliei Oezeral invention in al, emergency is to reiufore Kong Kong with Brigade Group from Fur Eaet theatre reserve, but this requirement would be most embarrassing while present situation in Malaya contimes, Commander-in-Chist Far East have to balance the requirements of Hong Kong and Melaya in the Might of the fact that no additional lani forces can be made available for Hong Kong from outelde aereat cutside) the Fa East theatre, (No mention is made at present of possibility of naval or air reinforcements)
3. Chiefs-of-Stafí suggest that civil Security forces should be augmented by auxiliary and apccial polica end also perhaps by a Home Guard. I have explained that you have been given authority to make temporary increases in establishment of Reguler Pollue Force as you may conatdor necessary without reference to me; and also, that present plana for reconstitution of Hong Kong Volunteer D-Janne Torca include a "Home Ganrd" element.