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90001/28
TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM
RECEIVED BY 0.T.P.
M. P 125.
Th. J.C. Mogen
h.
23/6
IZ
1759
TOO
171230
TOR 171840A
G.H.Q. Far East Land Forces.
Ministry of Defence, London
SEACOS 921
17th. June, 1949.
From FEDSEC.
1.
For Chiefs of Staff from Commanders-in-Chief.
We presume a statement will shortly be made in London to the effect that it has been decided to send further reinforcements to Hong Kong. We consider such statements would be most valuable but we think it particularly important that it should not specify the size or composition of the forces being sent nor give indication when they are likely to be effective in Hong Kong.
2.
Apart from the usual objections to publishing details of this kind we consider a public announcement giving details of Hong Kong reinforcements, might have the effect of precipitating an attack by P.L.A. since Chinese Communist Authorities might well appreciate that an attack as quickly as possible and before arrival of reinforcements would offer them their only reasonable chance of over-running the Colony. this connection, we should point out that, according to latest information, we may how have to wait consider- ably longer for arrival of U.K. air reinforcements than we originally anticipated.
CIRCULATION
D. C. O. R.
Foreign Office.
War Registry, Admiralty.
Message Control, War Office.
Registry Telegrams, Air Ministry.
TOO 171230
Chief of Combined Operations Staff.
Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.
Secretary of State for Colonies.
Colonel Leisching.
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