TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM
Li
WARNING This message must be thoroughly paraphrased if its text is to be published or communicated outside British or American Services or Departments. If re-transmitted unparaphrased other than through the Cabinet Office, the originator must mark the message "to be sent in One-Time Pad."
OPERATIONAL IMMEDIATE
From : Ministry of Defence, London.
1092 122240A
OZ
TOO
TOD 122325A
Το
: G.H.Q. Far East Land Forces.
COSSEA 686
(88)
For FEDSEC.
Copy no 94000/3
12th. May, 1949.
For Commanders-in-Chief from Chiefs of Staff.
Reference SEACOS 903.
We agree in principle to some change in O.D.C. statement to which you refer but wish to discuss exact wording with General Ritchie and Air Marshal Lloyd at meeting here on 20th. May to consider defence of Hong Kong.
2.
Please telegraph your joint services appreciation of detailed forces needed to hold Hong Kong against major Chinese Communist attack, including estimate of scale of such attack. We realise this appreciation may not be ready by 20th. May but please shy when we may expect it.
CIRCULATION
D.C.O.R.
Foreign Office.
War Registry, Admiralty.
Message Control, War Office.
Registry Telegrams, Air Ministry.
Chief of Combined Operations Staff. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Colonel Leisching.
TOO 122240A
Page 230Page 231