CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 245

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X II

C. HONG LONGE

DATIONS

-in-C. Hong Kong's detailed

forces required at Hong Kong in as set out in the main paper.

estimates thet in addition to

t the following Neval forces

defence of Hong Kong.

11c

- 4 Destroyers or Irigates

2 Fiver Gunboats

(6 L.C.T.

(6 L.C.I.(L)

(1 L.5.I.(14)

Ref.

note that this copy is

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

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

al to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigl

6 H.D.M.L.

- AD.Y.M.S.

116. We agree that four

ill be required to operate from ssion of piracy and other acts ..ong areE. The British Pacific sed on long long and it is more y should be undertaken for

Eched from the 3.P.F. rather

1 local defence flotilla.

to decide on how this

It

he future disposition of the

Though we do not consider this

there are three gunboats on

ro they will be placed in reserve, these could be, with advantage, ong where, in addition to ng's requirements they could

or inshore patrol craft and would

service on Chinese rivers

ir,

Action has already been taken to ..(L) in reserve at Long Kong. required (see paragraph 10

We agree that 16 H.D.H.i. will be

⚫ inshore patrols, to prevent

its and the smuggling of arms into ocal police force can take over.

00205

Ratk

CO 537/1260

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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 Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigi

7.

Mine sweeping. The provision of mine sweepers cannot be considered essential in view of the J.I.C. estimate that mining is only likely if hostilities break out with the Central Govornment of China and that the likelihood of this in the next 10 years is so remote as to be negligible. The question of laying up reserve ainos:cepors at Hong on, as an insurance, should, however, be considered when nine clearance operations have been completed in the Far East,

Arny

8. C.-in-C. ong nong, ectiuctes the land forces required as one division les.: ono brigade disposed as follows :-

Control of Frontier

and New Torritories

1.owloon

Hong Kong Island

One Brigade Group plus Div.Recce, and Div.

.. battalion

One Brigade Group less

one battalion

Two battalions (including

Divisional Defence battalion)

He also states that there is a requirement for an assault lat for one brigade for a minor seaborne expedition to the Chinn Coast in the event of a serious deterioration of the Chinese situation.

Comment

9. The C-in-C's. requirements are based on his appreciation of forces required to meet a threatened attack by a Chinese Mar Lord with a force of 75,000 mon.

the

The present garrison consists of two brigades; second brigade has been provided primarily for police duties since the Hong Kong, Police Force is not yet of adequate strength. The Colonial Office have stated that they have for a long time prat regarded the recruiting and despatch of adequate reinforcements to the European Police Force in long ong as a matter of urgency and importance, and steps ar being taken to this end.

The C.-in-C's. appreciation is presumably bosed on combination of the tactical requirements of the ground and the strength and rrasment of a potential attacker, We cannot question his views on the forces required tactically but our consultations with the J.1.C. lead us to the view that an attack by a Chinese War Lord is exceedingly improbable if there is a garrison of the nature of a brigade in being as a deterrent.

-9-

ๆ

Page 245Page 246

00205

reepors

e J.I.C.

litics

na and that

is so

laying up

urance,

arence

st.

forces

sposed as

Group plus

and Div. lion

Group less

ion

ns (including

Defence

lent for an

Joine

of a serious

on his

hreatened

f75,000 men,

rigades;

for police not yet of

the

e stated that

recruiting and

European

gency and

is end.

bly besed on

of the ground

1 attacker.

required

.I.C. lead

War Lord is

son of the

cms

Ref.

CO 537/1260

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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 Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh