CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 361

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AIR SUPPORT.

14.

Whon the first essential of reducing enemy air attack on the Colony to a minimum has been achieved, the air forces in Hong Kong, both R.L.F. and disembarked Naval aircraft, may be used in close support of our ground troops. Air action may be directed

gainst such targets as lines of communication, troop concentrations, strong points and surface craft. Effective attacks on enemy aircraft on the ground would be difficult owing to the large muber of airfields viere the enemy can disperse his air forces.

15.

In view of the coaratively small forces involved, it is felt that the normal A. 5. 9. U. organization is unnecessarily cubrous

and uneconorical. The organization proposed is in accordance with the now superseded A. S.C. where an inter-service liaison staff of officers would advise on the priority of the requests for support. The R.LF. officer being responsible for aling the number of aircraft considered necessary to meet the demand accepted by the Board. Board should be located in the fighter opcrations roon and its policy must be strictly in accord with that directed by the Military Council.

16.

essential.

This

For close support work it is thought that . L. Os are For this purpose one Typo "B" ir Liaison Section should

be made available at Kai Tak and a further Type "B" Section should be deployed at Ping Shan when that aereme becomes available, In view of the fluid type of fighting likely to occur, visual control points will be specially valuable. hether these will be available on a porce-time establishment is questionable, but the advantage of that provision should be borne in minl. The final requirement in respect of air support is that the fighter force must be kept fully trained in a close support role at all times and that Army/.ir exercises should be undertalion frequently to ensure verizam co-oporation between the

two Survicus.

Ref.

CO 537/1260

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

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

restactions.

Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of subhal your use of it may be subject to copyright

of supply of National

N

AIR SUPPLY.

17.

Mir supply for any protracted wriod 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 distance. However, in an Gergency and for a short period, reinforcements by air could be maintained by stepping up the normal transport services fra Singapore. These services, in conjunction with the use of a flying boat squadron, could also form 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 airply 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 reducing any 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 press it available, is all

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

use of it may be subject to copyright

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

quate fighter control, it is considered

a bo:-

na and filter room and two G. C. I.

should be the contral and co-

11 R.A.F. and Naval fighters operating lony.

control interceptions within its 'coptions should be co-ordinated ions room.

1 be required to supplement the

rations room, filter room and G. C. I. is should be trained by the R..F.

curs will be required to work in the

d neintain touch with Navy and Army

ho bulk of the anti-aircraft doforces

aison botwoon the fightor oporations ft fire is an essential requirment.

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