EXTRACT FROM C.O.S.(
62~0
MEETING HE
29/4/49
164
6. THREAT TO HONG KONG
TOP SECRET)
(Previous Reference: 0.0.5.(49) 59th Meeting, Minute 1)
THE COMMITTEE referred to a Minute by the Secretary+ about the appreciation of the threat to Hong Kong that had been called for by the Defence Committeef.
SIR WILLIAM ELLIOT recalled that the Defence Committee/ had invited the Chiefs of Staff to prepare a fresh appreciation of the extent of the threat that was likely to develop against Hong Kong. Subsequently the Cabinet* had agreed that one infantry battalion and brigade head- quarters should be sent to Hong Kong at once; and that preparations should be made for the despatch of the remainder of the brigade group as soon as practicable. It seemed that Ministers would not wish to take a decision- on the despatch of the balance of the reinforcements until the appreciation of the Chiefs of Staff on the threat to Hong Kong was available to them. In view of the forthcoming debate in the House of Commons on developments in China, the preparation of this appreciation was urgent, The Minister of Defence would probably wish to discuss it with the Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday, 4th May. The Joint Planning Staff had accordingly been asked to propare a draft report as a matter of urgency; and it would seem appropriate for their report to be considered at the meeting of the Vice Chiefs of Staff on Monday, 2nd May. He suggested that the Chiefs of Staff might like to take this opportunity of discussing the problem with the Directors of Plans.
SIR WILLIAM SLIM said that he considered our policy should be to hold Hong Kong against any threat other than a Russian attack, or an attack by Chinese communists so strongly supported by the Russians that it amounted in fact to a Russian attack. He felt that we should be ready to defend Hong Kong against an attack by communist china even if this entailed a declaration of war against the
Chines authorities. The reinforcements proposed for Hong
Kong should suffice to defend the island against aything other than an attack by a major power,
THE DIRECTORS OF PLANS said that the developments in China were forcing us to deploy our resources in a manner that did not conform to our overall strategy. In this respect the Russian's cold-war policy was being successful. The Joint Planning staff were now studying the forces required for the defence of Hong Kong. In view of the internal security problem it seemed possible that more forces might be required than those originally proposed. It was also possible that the naval forces might have to be increased.
LORD FRASER said that he thought that it should be possible to cover the naval commitment by employing the local craft available. He understood that a number were being refitted and it should be possible to provide personnel to man these craft it an additional cruiser was sent to the area.
+/#
*
0.0.5./628/28/4/9 NT 453.
D.O. (49) 12th Meeting, Conclusion 8 (54) C.M. (49) 30th Meeting, Minute 4 (55)
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