CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 241

ANNEX I

FJ. I.C. (46) 7 (0) (Revised Fincl)

RUARY, 1946.

7TH

J

00201

HONG KONG DEFENCE PLAN

Report by the Joint Intelligence Sub-Committoc

We have boon asked by the Joint Planning Staff to examine Sections II and III of an appreciation by the Commander-in-Chief, Hong Kong, on the Defence of Hong Kong, with a view to assessing the potential threat to Hong Kong, and commenting on the necessity for an intelligence organisation included in the Commander-in-Chief, Hong recommendations. Our remarks are as follows:-

Kong's

2,

It is considorod that, at present, no nation except China is likely to undertake to wrest Hong Kong from British hands. The possibility of a major war between China and Great Britain in the next ten years is so remote as to be negligible. In any other attempt to recover the Colony

the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. A. might give China diplomatic support.

3.

Tho Chinese aro singularly inept at mounting an attack and, in fact, have never scored a major success in the course of their eight years war with Japan.

FORCES AVAILABLE

4.

The fighting forcos at Chinc's disposal are estimated

to be briefly as follows:-

(a) Navy

The Chinese navy has never boun, and is never likely to be, an efficient fighting force.

(b) Army

The most efficient troops in the prosent day

Chinese Army are those trained and equipped by the Americans. They amount to approximately twenty divisions and number about 390,000 personnel. They cro equipped with infantry weapons and also with field and medium artillery. The efficiency of the artillery personnel is not of a high standard. Some captured Japanese A. F. Vs may be available but a co- ordinated attack by armoured formations is unlikely. Air support has not been developed

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