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Copy No. 43
D.C.(46)30
1ST MARCH 1946
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CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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2
DEPRICE COMMITTEE
WUTURE LETTRICE POLICY FOR HONG KONG
Keport by the Chiefs of Staff
It will be necessary in the near future to decide on
our future policy for the defence of Hong Kong in order that any military requirements may be included in the plan for re-building the Colony.
H
The last decision on this subject was tha: taken by the Commitee of Imperial Defunce in 1938 that the defence policy for Hong Kong should, for the time being. be limited to ensuring the defence of the island itself, thus denying the use of the auchorage to an obory.
2.
We do not consider that under modern conditions Hong Kong can be defended against aftuck by a major power in occupation of the Chinese mainland. Wo should not, therefore, lock up in Hong Kong nguinei such attack forces or defences which will either not be required or clse be overrun and lost.
3. Circumstancos might, however, arise in which we should require to use Hong Kong as an operational naval and air base in the event of a war in the Pacific, in which China was in friendly hands. In that ovent mobila defences against attack from a distance by sea or air, could be moved into Hong Kong or installed at short notice, in the same way as would be done for any advanced base from which it was decided to operate, plans and preparations being made to enable the necessary defonces to be introduced at short notice.
4. We therefora provoce that our future defence policy for Hong Kong should be to regard it as an undefended port, so far as fixed dofcuces are concerned.
5.
We consider hovover that, to ensure internal security, 08 a protection against piracy, and as a deterrent to an attempt at incursion by Chinoac guerillus, forcos of the order of one brigadu and half a flying boat squadron will be required for some considcrable time, units of the British Pacific Floet providing such local naval co-operation in these tasks as may be required. The present garrison of two brigades should be roduced to onu brigade directly the re-establishment of the Police Force permits.
6.
Wo request the Defe oc Committee to approve this policy.
(Signed) ALANBROOKE
CUNNINGHAM OF HYNDHOPE
Offices of the Cabinet and
Minister of Dofonou, S.W.1.
18T MARCH, 1946.
TEDDER
C.I.D. 329th Mooting of 19th July, 1938. Encloruma to in one 12/14/155/20
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ANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
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Copy No...
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43
ONG KONG
Staff
ar future to decide on
f Hong Kong in order that
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riso in which we should ational naval and air base
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future defence policy for
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nsure internal security, as a deterrent to an attempt forces of the order of ono dron will be required for
o British Pacific Floet
tion in these tasks as may of two brigades should be ro-ostablishment of the
co to approve this policy. DOKE
HAM OF HYNDHOPE
boting of 19th July, 1938.
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6414/155/38.
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