CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 174

00146

I

-C. HONG Kc's

ander-in-Chief, Hong Kɔng's

or the forces required at Hong Kong

cs got ut in the main paper.

stimates that in addition to tho following aval forces will bo

*Han Wang,

- destroyers or frigates

- 2 River Gunbonts

-

6 L.C.T.

6 L.C.I.(L)

1 L.S.I. (H)

-16 H.D.M.L.

- 4 D.Y.M.S.

10.

engree that destroyers or o operate from Hon; Kong for the

ther acts of violence in the Hong cific Fleet will however be based convenient that this duty should

nt by ships detached from the

ir then by forming a special local be for the admiralty to decido hot when the future disposition !c.

Though wo do not consider this an

ere three unboats on passage to be placed in reserve. Wo consider

with adventego, placed in reservo

.tion to mooting C.-in-C. Hong

ould bo usod na dopot ships for uld be readily available for

shuld this be called for.

.ction has already been taken to

3) temporarily in reserve in Hong

that replacement of theso craft

1) will be required (see

To agree that a number of H.D.K.L.

ly for inshore petrols, to prevent

and the smuggling of

rus into the

lice force onn take over.

it Hong Kong and the possibility of

will depend on availability and

00147

Ref:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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 copyrigł

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

N

7.

Mine sweeping The provision of mine sveopors cannot be considered essential in view of tho J.I.C. estimate that mining is only likely if hostilitics break out with the Central Government of China and that the likelihood of this in the next 10 years is so remote as to be negligible. The question of laying up rosorve mineswoopers at Hong Kong, as an insurance, should, however, be considered when mine clearance operations have been completed in the Far East.

ARMY

8. C.-in-C. Hong Kong, estimates the land forces required as one division loss one brigade disposed as follows:-

Control of Frontier

and New Territories

Kowloon

Hong Kong Island

One Brigade Group plus

Div. Recce, and Div. M.G. Battalion

One Brigade Group less

one battalion

Two Battalions (including

Divisional Defenco Battalion)

He also states that there is a requirement for an assault lift for one brigade for a minor sacborne expedition to the Chinc. Coast in the event of a serious deterioration of the Chinese situation.

Comment

9. The C.-in-C's requirements are based on his appreciation of forces required to meet a threatened attack by a Chinese War Lord with a force of 75,000 men.

the

The present garrison consists of two brigades; second brigade has been provided primarily for police duties since the Hong Kong Police Force is not yet of adequate strength. The Colonial Offico have stated that they have for a long time past rogarded the recruiting and despatch of adequate reinforcements to the European Police Force in Hong Kong as a matter of urgency and importance, and we understand that the Police Force should be up to strength by January 1947.

The C.-in-C's appreciation is presumably based on

a combination of the tactical requirements of the ground and the strength and armament of a potential attacker. We cannot question his views on the forces required tactically but our consultations with the J.I.. lead us to the view that an attack by a Chinese War Lord is exceedingly improbable if there is garrison of the nature of a brigade in being as a deterrent.

10.

Having rogard to our world wide commitments and overall shortage of troops, we have recommended and the Defence Committee have approved that the garrison should be progressively reduced as follows:-

D.0.(46) 30

n. @0.0.(46) 7th Meeting

-6-

[

نا

N

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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 copyright

restrictions. Further

information is given in the enclosed "Terms and Conditions

of supply of National Archives' leaflet