CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 327

002 73

the deployent of British air forces ighter squadron oquipped with

My Spitfire XTV is a first line wo .5 machine-guna, it can also

in particular, its initial rate of

defence against the type of enemy

is thorofaro considered that this

tors, is sufficient to ensure

sk by day. It is considered that

tom is maintained at a high degree tht attacks would probably force him on a small scale. In consequence quirement for defonce against this lern night fighters equipped with

be large and it is sugested that

irborne radar be made available as t

This detachent

or forces in Kalaya,

to this paper is an appreciation

tion covers the disposition of such

or have boun allocatod, to the

loployment suggested would af ord

inte fighter control, it is considered

bo:-

Lund filter roci and two G. C. I.

should be the central and co-

1 R.A.F. ani laval fighters operating

ony.

suntral interceptions within its options should be co-ordinated

ons room.

be required to supplement the

ations room, filter room and G. C. I.

should be trained by the R..F.

cro will be required to work in the maintain touch with lavy and Army

e bulk of the anti-aircraft defences

ison between the fightor operations t fire is an essential requirement.

12

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CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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002 74

IR SUPPORT.

14.

When the first ossential of reducing enemy air attack

on the Colony to a minimum has been achieved, the air forces in

Hong Kong, both R..F. and disebarked Naval aircraft, my be used in close support of our ground troops. Air action may be directed Against such targets as lines of cornication, troop concentrations, strong points and surface craft. Effective attacks on enony aircraft on the ground would be difficult owing to the large number of airfields icro the endy can disperse his air forces.

15.

In view of the commratively small forces involved, it is felt that the normal A, 3. S. U. organization is unnecessarily curbrous end moooronical

The organization proposed is in accordance with the

nter-Service liaison staff of officers

now superseded ..C. where an would advise on the priority of the requests for support. officer being responsible for detailing the number of aircraft

The R.A.F. acnsidered necessary to met the demand accepted by the Board. Board should to located in the fighter operations room and its policy Lust be strictly in accord w What directed by the Military Council.

16.

This

For clone support work it is thought that L. Os are essential. For this purpose on Type "B" ir Liaison Section should be mndo available at Kai Tak ani a further Type "B" Section should be deployed at ring Shan vhon that aerodrome bocanos available. In view

of the fluid type of fighting likely to occur, visual control points will be specially valuable. hother these will be available on a peace-tinc establishment is quastienble, but the advantage of that provision should be borne in min. The final. requiremont i respect

of air support is that une fighter force murt bo kept fully trained in a close support role at all times and that Aray/ir cxercises should be undertaker 2urrently to ensure maximum co-cporation between the two services.

AJ SUPPLY.

17.

Air supply for any protracted priod is possible, but it is not considered a practicable proposition in relation to the distances involved which would require a large number of aircraft to move relatively small loads over a long listanoo. mergency and for a short porial, reinforomonts by air could be

However, in an mintained by stepping up the normal transport services fra Singapore. These services, in conjunction with the use of a flying boat squadron, could also for a basis of an air evacuation scheme should this prove necessary. On the other hand it would be possible to maintain a limited number of troops with air dropped supplies providing that the aircraft required were based in the Colony and that a base supply dump was also maintained. If air supply on any large scale becomes necessary, an adequate organization for off loading stores from aircraft will be required. The use of flying boats for air supply into the Colony would assist in reduci. ny congestion caused by slowness

in the turn round of land aircraft.

AIRFIELDS.

18. limited.

Mirfield facilities for the Colony are at present extremely Kai Tak, the only airfield at present available, is all

سا

1

eme

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

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 copyright