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EXTRACT FROM C.O.S.(20 MEETING HELD
3. DEFENCE OF HONG KONG
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(Previous reference: C.0.S.(49)67th Mtg. Minute 3.)
THE COMMITTEE referred to a telegram from the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, stating that they were seriously disturbed at the misinterpretation being placed in Hong Kong on the current statement defining the practicability of defending Hong Kong.
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SIR GERALD TEMPLER said that the Commanders-in-Chief were no doubt anxious for a quick reply on this question in view of the low state of civilian morale in Hong Kong. He was in general agreement with their redraft of the statement about our intentions for the defence of Hong Kong. He thought, however, that it would be premature to give a final ruling on this matter until the report by the Joint Planning Staff on the defence of Hong Kong against a major Communist attack had been completed. He said that the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, had not yet been asked for a full appreciation of the forces needed to defend Hong Kong in such a contingency and of the extent of the threat to be met. He had already sent a personal signal to General Ritchie asking for his views on the land forces required. He felt most strongly, however, that a full inter-Service appreciation was required from the Commanders- in-Chief, Far East, on this problem. It was not possible to examine adequately in London such matters as the detailed land forces required to cover the defence of a certain perimeter in Hong Kong.
SIR ARTHUR SANDERS said that as far as air forces were concerned, he thought that sufficient information could be obtained from Air Marshal Lloyd who was now in London.
There was also the time factor. The report by the Joint Planners had to be completed as soon as possible as Ministers wished to discuss this matter in the near future. The appreciation from the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, could not be ready in time and would merely complicate matters if it arrived after the report by the Joint Planning Staff had been completed.
LORD FRASER said that the normal procedure was to prepare plans and then send them to the Commanders-in-Chief concerned for their comments. From the naval standpoint, he did not consider that it was necessary to ask for an appreciation but he was prepared to agree to this as it would be of assistance to the War Office. Referring to the definition of our intentions for the defence of Hong Kong, he said that he considered that the wording now proposed by the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, reflected closely what was already included in paragraph 4 (a) of Section 17 of the report by the Oversea Defence Committee.
In discussion, while agreement in principle was expressed with the proposals of the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, THE COMMITTEE considered that a final decision on this matter should await the report now being prepared by the Joint Planning Staff on the defence of Hong Kong
SEACOS 903
@Para. 4 (b) of Section 17 of ODC (47) 10
+ J.P. (49) 50
% ODC (47) 10
Para. 4 of SEACOS 903
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