CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 384

3-

00328

TOP SECRET

with HONG KONG is maintained along the

:single track throughout. Its working

red but doubtless will improve in time.

m KOWLOON Point the line enters a tunnel

a distanco of 1 1/3 miles approx.

ly connected with CANTON by river traffic

VERith vessels up to 161⁄2 feet draught at

p3.

of KOWLOON BAY) is the only airfield in

2 seaplane ramps - H.

S. E. Runway

A new field is projected at PENG SHAN in

els on HONG KONG Island is oonsidered

on the Island being TAI TAM TUK holding ns. On the Mainland the important

of KOWLOON CITY, holds 2,921,000,000 arics in the Colony.

ber to larch

-

Southerly Monsoon June to April/May - Temperature in February 55 F. 11 85 inches, 68% of which falls between

not severe and only 15 times in 50 years llowever, force 7 can occur occasionally uent. Humidity up to 90%.

During the

lo turbulence over land during afternoon.

N

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

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

restrictions.

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

the NEW TERRITORIES is bounded by the

hilly country of the llorth Eastern stretch Imately est, and a small stream running forth from FANLIG to the frontier and

of the stream to STARLING Inlet.

›rmed and the irregular mountain range

to the South is a valley of low and

'oken by steep isolated hills,

A

ts from the Northern-Eastern side of

ad, entering the TERRITORIES approximately

UN WAN RIVER, both run South-East through

rough the KOWLOON Hills, with an

CIG to the South-West. Hany other

they are stoop and difficult.

SECTION I

啡

HONG KONG DEBELICE PLAN.

00329

TOP SECRET.

FACTORS INVOLVED AND FORCES AVAIT ME.

It is considered that no nation except CHINA is likely to uy.ricke ngrossive measures against HONG KONG.

The U.S. S. R. and

the 1.3.A. may to cay oted to give. GUMA a measure of support in any purely diplomatic move to recover the Colony.

2.

The fight gorces at CHINA'S disposal arc estimated to

boniofly as 23:

3.

(n) NAVY.

(3)

(0)

The Chinese Navy is not at present a fighting force but is being built up by the acquisition of Japanese and other foreign warships. it considered there is no immediate danger of naval attack any attack by sea would be limited to maida, piracy nd atxmpts to interdict small ship trade.

ARLY.

As a rain: basis it has been agréel that the maximum scale of attack should be taken as 75,000 fighting troops. The most efficient troq 3 in the present day Chinese armies are thou trained an oquipped by the Americans. CHINA would have no difficulty putting 75,000 of these better class troom in the fold. Ahough well equipped with infantry weapons; field and medium artillery is not of a high standard, there are at present Auctured formations and air support has not on inw.loped.

AIR CROM

It is estimated that at present CHINA has available 400 first line aircraft to which total are being added Japanese

and American planes in unknown quantities. Sovere limitations are imposed servicing, insuficiency

their operational use by poor

trained air crews and lack of petrol. It is considered that under these conditions air support for 1ilitary operations could not be sustained but would be mited to sporadic raids. The danger of mining by aircraft is considered small,

The declared policy of the Central Government is to recover HONG KONG by diplomatic means, This policy has been maintained since JAPAN's surrenler. It is considered the principal threat to the Colony.

A Tropaganda campaign to recover the Colony for CHINA has already been experienced in a mild form. It is considered that this campaign will be maintained and intensified by the Central Government as a natural prelude and adjunct to their campaign outside the Colony to redress the so-called "unequal treaty".

า

2

Ref:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

~

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