CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 216

00179

Minions Ofos Haforense #g

with the Compliments of, Data 16 MAR 1948

Reference

risa Secretary

.19.

Mr Indyle

Ciklubi an unparaphrased version of a Secret cypher message and unless it is marked O.T.P. (One Time Pad) the text must first be paraphrased if it is essential to communicate it to persons outside British and United States Government Services.)

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

Re

1

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

In

N

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

WG 773/15/79

CYPHER (TYPRX)

FROM:

D. O.

TO:

AUSTRALIA (GOVT.)

NEW ZEALAND

1)

No. 106 No. 56

TOP SECRET

Bent 8.30 p.m., 15th. Mar., 1946.

013021/4

Addressed Australia No. 106, New Zealand No. 56.

Consideration has been given recently to future policy for defence of Hong Kong, and following recommendations of Chiefs of Staff have been approved by Defence Committee.

2. It is considered that under modern conditions Hong Kong cannot be defended against attack by a major power in occupation of Chinese meinland, and that defences and forces should not, therefore, be locked up in Hong Kong against such an attack. Circumstances might, however, arise in which Hong Kong might be needed as operational naval and air base in event of a war in Pacific in which China was in friendly hands. In that event mobile defences against attack by sea or air, could be moved into Hong Kong or installed at short notice in same way as would be done for any advanced base from which it was decided to operate, plans and preparations being made to enable necessary defences to be introduced at short notice. Conclusion therefore

is that, so far as fixed defences are concerned, Hong Kong should be regarded as undefended port.

3. In order to ensure internal security, as protection against piracy and as deterrent to an attempt at incursion by Chinese guerillas, forces of order of one brigade and half a flying boat aquadron will be required for some considerable time, units of British Pacific Fleet providing such local naval co-operation in these tasks as may be required. Present garrison of two brigades will be reduced to one brigade as soon as re-establishment of Policy Force permite.

Copy to:-

Prime Minister's Private Secretary Foreign Office

SPECIAL

10

"

Colonial Office

War Office

ן

Admiralty

Air Ministry

Treasury

H

tr

17

1+

11

་་

Private Secretary to Lord President

Colonel Home (6)

2' MAR 1946

0. D. Koul

า