I met the Executive Council and the
Local Defence Committee. I visited Service
units on the mainland and inspected the frontier
of the New Territories.
I met the Hong Kong
Defence Force and volunteers for essential
services. I greatly valued the opportunity to
visit the Royal Naval Hospital where men of
H.M. ships injured in the course of the incidents
on the Yangtse were being cared for.
Whilst I was in Hong Kong the first.
reinforcements arrived. His Majesty's Government
have decided to send certain additional
reinforcements of all arms and the mcessary
steps are being taken by each of the three
Services. His Majesty's Government have also
decided to appoint a Commander, British Forces,
Hong Kong, to be in command of all the Army, Air
and such Naval units as are assigned from time to time for the defence of Hong Kong. They have
appointed to this post, Lieutenant General
F. W. Fosting, C. B., C. B. E., D. S. O., and he will
also act as General Officer, Commanding-in-Chief
Land Forces. General Festing hopes to leave
very shortly and will take up his duties
immediately upon his arrival in Hong Kong.