CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 191

00182

cms

Ref.:

Please note that this copy is supplied

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

restrictions. Further information la given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' safet to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

11.

(a) When the police force has been brought up to

strongth (1.0. about January 1947) to one Brigade.

(b) Further reduction, the timing of which we are

unable to forecast, when the situation in China allows.

Regarding the provision of an assault force, wo do not consider that we shall be called upon to mount an operation of any size against Chinese territory, no mattor how serious the deterioration in the Chinese situation. We do not, therefore, consider that the provision of a brigade lift is required at Hong Kong.

There might, however, be a requirement for landing small forces on the islands of the Colony itself to ensure internal security. Certain landing craft (sce paragraph 6 above) will be at Hong Kong in Care and Maintenance, and could be used when required.

12.

AIR FORCES

The C.-in-C. Hong Kong, considers that the following measures for air defence are essential:-

(a) air forces consisting of:-

(i) 1 S.E. Fighter Squadron with P.R. element

embodied.

(ii) detachment of 3 Twin-engined Night Fighters.

(iii) Long Range General Reconnaissance Squadron.

(iv) Dotachments of aircraft for meteorological,

air sea rescue and communciation dutios.

(b) Efficient radar cover.

(c) Fighter operations room, filter room and

G.C.I. facilities.

(d) Anti-aircraft defence.

(e) Facilities for air lift

(f) A reinforcement plan

Comment

13. C.-in-C. Hong Kong's recommendations are based on the assumption that enemy air attacks might be made by mixed formations of low fighting ability, consisting of 30 to 40 bombers escorted by 12 to 15 mixed fighters. nnex I shows that this scale of attack is unlikely to materialise. We do not, therefore, consider that there is justification for the size of air forces which the C.in-C. recommends.

We consider that a detachment of half a flying boat squadron should be sufficient to carry out anti-piracy patrols and to provide the air garrison. Reinforcements if required will be drawn from elsewhere in the theatre.

I

(111)