CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 204

00171

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STEVENS THOMPSON

EDVARDES-JONES

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and condit

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

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00172

ANNEX II

EXAMINATION OF C.-IN-C. HONG KONG'S

RECOMMENDATIONS

We examine below C.-in-0. Hong Kong's detailed recommendations for the forces required at Hong Kong in the light of our policy as set out in the main paper.

2,

NAVY

O.-in-C. Hong Kong estimates that in addition to the British Pacific Fleet the following Naval forces will be required for the defence of Hong Kong.

Local Defence flotilla - 4 destroyers or frigates

Bombarding force

- 2 River Gunboats

(6 L.C.T.

(1 L. S. I. (M)

Amphibious lift

-(6 L. C. I. (L)

Inshore patrols

-

16 H.D. M. L.

- 4 B.Y.M.S.

N

Ref.

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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 Archived terms and conditions and that your use of II may be subject to copyright

Minesweeping force

Comment

3.

General - In view of the J. I. C. report (Annex I), we doubt the necessity of locking up in Hong Kong local

naval defence forces of the above scale. The British Pacific Fleet will be based on Hong Kong and should afford sufficient local protection.

4. Local Defence Flotilla. We agree that destroyers or frigates will be required to operate from Hong Kong for the suppression of piracy and other acts of violence in the Hong Kong area, It is more suitable that this duty should be undertaken by ships detached from the B.P.F. rather than by forming a special local defence flotilla. It will be for the Admiralty to decide on how this commitment is met when the future disposition of the post-war Navy is made.

5.

Bombarding force. Though we do not consider this an essential requirement there are three gunboats on passage to Singapore where they will be placed in reserve. We consider that two of these could be, with advantage, placed in reserve at Hong Kong where, in addition to meeting 0.-in-C. Hong Kong's requirements they could be used as depot ships for inshore patrol craft and would be readily available for service on Chinese rivers should this be called for.

6.

Amphibious Lift. Action has already been taken to place 6 L.C.T. and L.C.I.(L) in reserve at Hong Kong.

An L.S.I. (M) will not be required (soe paragraph 11 below).

7.

Inshore Patrols. We agree that 16 H.D. M.L. will be required temporarily for inshore patrols, to prevent the infiltration of agents and the smuggling of arms into the colony, until the local police force can take over.

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