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CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

dured indefonsible against a serious nation of the Mainland of China.

ttack anvisaged in Section III the niling HONG KONG will be:

by enemy naval forces attacking the

organized enemy amphibious assault

ach their objective.

t support for land forces.

d lift by sea for our own land forces 1g Kong. Section V Paragraph I (e).

! otur acts of violence during periods

inshore patrols to assist (e) and to on of agents and the smuggling of

of RADAR network by means of Picket

sage of ships in swept channels clear of

harbour and docks against attack by 'om midget underwater craft and junks. eplacement aircraft should overland

spottor aircraft for bombardments.

fighter defonco and air support.

LOTTILA.

cal defence flotilla is considered to ting attacks in (a), (b) and (e) above.

ly to be encountered are light oraft,

Even in time of comparative quiet

of coasting merchant vessels can be

one flotilla of 4 destroyers or

by the British Pacifio Fleat, should

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3.

BOMBARDHINT FORCES.

Although ships could be drawn from the British Pacifio Flect to give support by barment to land forces in the Bias Bay area, the waters on the western boundaries are so shallow that only river gun-boats aro suitable for this duty. As three river gun- boats are believed to be held in reserve on the East Indian Ocean, it is proposed that two of those be transferred to HONG KONG. could be used as lopot ships for minor war vessels employed on in- shore patrol.

44. PROVISION OF LEDING CRAFT.

These

Sufficient landing craft must be maintained to provide

the lift for the minor military oxpedition outlined in Section V, paragraph I (e). This is for a total of 750 men and 37 vohicles.

6 L. C. T. Ik.III or IV and 6 LC. I. (L) are considered to be sufficient for this purpose.

As it has been recommended that the strength of

the garrison in HONG KONG should be increased from 1 Infantry Brigade to a Division less 1 Infantry Brigade Group, further consideration should be given to the allocation of one 13.I.L for use as a Brigade lift and as a depot for other landing craft. This L. S. L with the remainder of landing craft above could provido lift for a minor expedition to the China Coast (vide Section V (c) and also for transport duties.

5. THE PROVISION OF IN-SHORE PATROL CRAFT.

In order to provide sufficient in-shore patrols to meet the scale of attack in paragr. h 1 (f), it is considered that two flotillas of 8 H.D.LL's should be maintained at HONG KONG. flotilla has already arrived, four of which have been converted mincsweeping duty. These are only required until such time as the police forces have adequate craft.

One

for

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

cm

CO 537/1260

e note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives

and conditions and that your use of it may be

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Condillions of supply of National Archives object to copyright

6. PROVISION OF HINESVÆEPING VESSELS.

It is considered that once the waters of the Colony havo

been swept clear of mines laid prior to the cessation of hostilities

with Japan, 4 BXM's and 4 IL D.II. L's would be sufficient to keep Swept Charmels open for the passage of ships.

7.

PREVENTION OF ATLACK BY SLALI, CRAFT, KIDGET SUBMARTNES AND IRREGULAR FORCES IN SALIPANS AND JINKS.

Owing to the large amount of junk traffic and fishing craft plying the waters of HONG KONG, it is not considered practicable to provide positive protection against this form of attack. Prior intelligence of intended attacks and sound internal organization for ropolling those attacks by ships in harbour should be relied upon.

8. AIR SUPPORT

The air defence of the Colony is the responsibility of the Royal Air Force. Any naval aircraft ashore would be placed at the disposal of the Air Officer Comanding. The following aircraft will

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