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12. On the arrival of the 27th Brigade in July, there will be available for defence of the frontier one full brigade plus supporting artillery leaving a brigade available for internal security in the cities and as a reserve for counter attack. When in September the garrison is increased to a Division plus a Brigade by the arrival of the 28th Infantry Brigade from the U.K. and the Royal Marine Commando Brigade from Malta, the G.0.C. intends to deploy two Brigades forward for the defence of the frontier, with one in reservo. This force will be supported by artillery and tanks. will leave one brigade available for ensuring internal security in the Cities and for Beach defence cxclusive of the Guards Brigade in Malaya, earmarked for reinforcing Hong Kong if required.
13.
This
As regards the Royal Navy, the main tasks envisaged are
To support the Army by bombardment and by bringing supplies if required;
(a)
(b)
To prevent an influx of refugees by sea.
At the present time (b) above is the responsibility of the Water Police, and the Navy are making arrangements for additional craft manned by Naval personnel to be available. If the situation becomes serious, the Royal Navy intends taking over responsibility for the operation of all Coastal Patrol craft,
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14. The present R.A.F. strength in the Colony consists of a Flying Boat Squadron for sea reconnaissanco in co-operation with the Navy, and a Spitfirs Squadron of nine aircraft which is due to be increased to 16 by the end of the month. A second Spitfire Squadron is due to arrive during the third week in July. This will bring the total Fighter Force up to 32 Spitfires which will be capable of operating either in the Air Defence, or ground attack, role. Early warning and fighter control radar have now been installed, and the Air Commander expressed himself satisfied with the adequacy of these, though he pointed out that they would not provide protection against low flying attack. He considered that the ultimate force should consist of three squadrons the third squadron to be a long range fighter squadron. In emergency the fighter strength could be increased still further by flying in an additional Spitfire Squadron from halaya.
15. At present the only landing strip available at Hong Kong is Kai Tak airfield. This airfield is very congested as it is used by all Civil Companies as well as by the R. In bad weather no diversion airfield is available and it has therefore been decided to construct an emergency strip in the New Territory to the North East of Kowloon which will be available for the Fighter Squadrons in the event of bad weather at Kai Tak, and which appeared to me to be the most suitable site available. The pierced steel planking for making this strip is being shipped from Singapore.
16.
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