OUTWARD TELEGRAM.
FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.
110
94001/28/49
Cypher (0.7.F.)
IMITEDIATE
TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
Sent 28th May, 1949. 14.45 hrs.
No.627 TOP SECRET,
Addressed to Governor Hong Kong, Repeated to Deputy Commissioner General, (Colonial
Affairs), South East Asia, No.292.
Your top secret despatch No.15 and paragraph 6 of
your top secret despatch No.9.
It has now been decided to provide further reinforcement for Hong Kong as follows:
2.
(e) Amer
2 additional Infantry Brigades (1 of these will be a Royal Marine Commando Brigade) with supporting units;
(b) Air Force
1 Fighter Squadron (16 Spitfires). Possibility of further air reinforcement is under consideration;
(c) lary
1 light Fleet Carrier, 4 Destroyers or Frigates, 1 Replenishment Aircraft Carrier, 1 Hospital Ships
Necessary arrangements are being made at once, and it is hoped that it will be possible for above forces to arrive in Hong Kong by September.
3.
Other Commonwealth Governments and U.S. Government are being informed of decision to reinforce Hong Kong further, and are being asked whether they would be prepared to support policy of defending Hong Kong against aggression by Communist forces and, if necessary, to make, at appropriate stage, public declarations in support of that policy.
When their views have been ascertained, final decisions regarding the form and timing of any further In the announcement will be considered by Ministers. meantime, no (repeat no) announcement regarding above further reinforcement should be made by you. You are of course at liberty to inform G.0.0. for his personal information only. He will be receiving information through military channels in the course of a fer days.
15.
13