CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 173

00145

›rogrossively reduced

if two Brigades.

luction should be

in the strength of

ild bo sufficient

Brigade.

gth should bo

is will depend upon

1 we are unable to

ch this rcduction

Boat squaûron

for the Colony,

1, being drawn from

re.

The

and naval

by our long term

possible need

rational naval

s of C.-in-C.

hould, therefore,

of Bases

Ministries.

Intelligence

uld be authorised.

n of volunteer or

a police reservo

o three Servico

.1 office.

be sent to

sou should bo

scale of defences

ong to implement

in this paper inte

on of volunteer or

Za police reservo

no three Service

al Office.

F. STEVEIS

H.N. POETT

H. EDWARDES-JONES

1

cm

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafer

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyng

}

00146

INTEX II

EX HINATION OF C.-IN-C. HONG KONG'S RECOMMEND..TIC'S

e xrmine below Comander-in-Chief, Hong Kɔng'a det:iled Pucommendations for the forces required at Hong Kong in the light of our policy as set ut in the main paper.

2.

HAVY

C.-in-C. Hong Kong estimates that in addition to tho British Preific Fleet, the following invel forces will be required for the defence of Hong Kong.

Locrl Defence Flotilla

Dombarding free

Amphibious Lift

4 destroyers or frigates

- 2 River Gunboats

6 L.C.T.

6 L.C.I.(L)

1 L.S.I.(1)

Inshore patrols

-16 H.D.M.L.

Mineseoping force

- 4 D.Y.M.3.

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh

N

Comment

3.

Loc:.1 Defence Flotilla. e grec that destroyers or frigates Vill be required to operate from Hon; Kong for the suppression of piracy and other acts of violence in the Hong Kong area. The British Pacific Fleet will however be based on Hong Kong rnd it is more convenient that this duty should be underton for the present by ships detached from the British Pr cific Fleet rather than by forming a special local defence flotille. It will be for the Admiralty to decido on how this commitment is met when the future disposition of the post-war Navy is mr.de.

4.

Bombarding Farce. Though wo do not consider this an essential requiroment there are throo unboats on passage to Singapore where they will be placed in reserve. We consider that two of those could be, with adventego, placed in reserve at Hong Kong where, in addition to meeting C.-in-C. Hong Kong's requirements, they could bo usod as dopot ships for inshore patrol craft and would be readily available for service on Chinese rivers should this be called for.

5.

Amphibius Lift. Action has already been taken to

place 6 L.C.T. and L.O.I.(L) temporarily in reserve in Hong Kong. e do not consider that replacement of theso craft or provision of an L.S.I.(M) will be requirod (see paragraph 11 bolow).

6.

Inshore Patrols. We agree that a number of H.D.M.L. will be required temporarily for inshore petrols, to prevent the infiltration of agents and the smuggling of arms into the colony, until the local police force on take over.

8 H.D.M.L. are at present at Hong Kong and the possibility of providing additional crft will depend on availability and men-power.

-5-