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THE GROUND DEVICES OF HONG KONG
The permanent regular Garrison of Hong Kong consists
of three Infantry Battalions and one Field Regiment (at
present 1st Buffs, 2/6 and 2/10 Gurkha Rifles and the 25th
Field Regiment R.A.) with necessary administrative backing.
2. The Hong Kong Defence Force (Volunteers) is now being
formed. The Infantry (Battalion) is being recruited but
will not be operational until July 1949 at earliest. The
formation of further land elements of this Force (Armoured
Car Squadron and Heavy A.A. Artillery Battery), is still being
considered.
3.
There are now no fixed defences in Hong Kong
(D.0. 7th (46) Meeting Item 1). Wire has been provided
sufficient to wire the frontier on the mainland if it is
decided to do so.
4.
On 28th February the C.0.S. took note of the strength
of the land defence of Hong Kong, on the basis of a recent
report by the Commanders in Chief, Far East. They
considered that in certain circumstances it would be necessary
to reinforce Hong Kong, but that it is undesirable to
reinforce the Far East from the United Kingdom at present
although one brigade group is being held in readiness for possible reinforcement overseas (including the Far East) in an
emergency. Therefore, if reinforcement of Hong Kong becomes
necessary, it is probable that it would come initially from
forces in the Far East (i.e. Malaya): but, in this event,
such reinforcements may have to be replaced from the United
Kingdom, if the situation at the time in Malaya warranted such
measures.
Colonial Office, 4th April, 1949.