CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 395

00339

..

the deployment of British air forces

ichter squadron equipped with

The Spitfire XTV is a first line

wo .5 machine-guns, it can also

n particular, its initial rate of

Jefence against the type of enemy

is therefore considered that this

ors, is sufficient to ensure

k by day. It is considered that

un is maintained at a high degree

ht attacks would probably force him

on a small scale. In consequence quirement for defence against this

ern night fighters equipped with

bo large and it is sugested that rborne radar be unde avcilable as a

r forces in Jalaya. This detachint

to this paper is an appreciation

tion covers the disposition of such

or have boun allocated, to the oployment succosted would afford

ate fighter control, it is considered be:-

and filter room and two G. C. I.

should be the contral and co-

R.A.F. and Naval fighters operating

ny.

ontrol interceptions within its ptions should be co-ordinated

nas rock.

be required to supplement the

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

rs will be required to work in the naintain touch with liavy and ray

bulk of the anti-aircraft defences son between the fighter oporations fire is an essential requirement.

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00340

12

cms

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

ns and that your use of it may be subieci k

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terma and

note that this copy is suppsed subject to the National Archives LOITS Pions of supply of National Archives' lear copyrig

N

AIR SUPPORT.

14.

Whon the first ossuntinl of reducing ency air attack on the Colony to a minimum has been achieved, the air forces in Hong Kong, both R..F. and disebarkod Naval aircraft, may be used in close support of our ground troops. Air action may be directed against such targets as lines of communication, troop concentrations, strong points and surface craft. Effective attacks on enemy aircraft on the ground would be diffic ́t owing to the large mumber of airfields where the oney can disperse is air forces.

15.

In view of the capar.tively small forces involved, it is felt that the normal . 3. S. U. organization is unnecessarily curibrous

The R... F.

and uneconomical. The organisation proposud is in accordance with the now superseded .S.C. vero an inter-Service liaison staff of officers would advise on the priority of the requests for support. officer being responsible for deteiling the number of aircraft acnsidered necessary to meet the demand accepted by the Board, Board should be located in the fighter operations room and its policy must be strictly in accord with that rected by the Military Council.

16.

This

for close support work it is thought that. L. Os are ossential. For this purpose one Type "B" ir Liaison Section should bo mnde available at Mi Tak and a further Type "B" Section should be

In view deployed at Ping Shan when that aerodrome becomes available. of the fluid type of fighting likely to occur, visual control points will be specially valuable. hother those will be available on a peace-time establishment is questionable, but the advantage of that provision should be borne in inl. The final requirement in respect of air suport is that the fighter faree man he kept fully trained in a close support role at all times and that any/ar exercises should be undertaken frequently to ensure anxium co-operation between the two Services,

AIR SUPPLY.

17.

Air supply for any protracted riod 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

However, in an nove relatively small loads oa long distance. Gergency ani for a short periou, reinforcements by air could be maintained by stepping up the normal transport services fra Singapore. These servicos, 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 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 reducing any congestion caused by slowness in the turn round of land aircraft.

AIRFIELDS.

18.

Airfield facilities for the Colony are at present extremely limited. Kai Tak, the only airfield at proact available, is all

ๆ

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

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

that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyngh

Page 395Page 396

00340

y air attack

forces in

may be used in

e directed

concentrations,

n enemy aircraft

aber of airfields

involved, it is

arily cubrous

cordance with the

taff of officers rt.

The RF.

aircraft

o Board.

This

and its policy ilitary Council.

L. Os are

Section should ction should be

.lable. In view

control points ailable on a

ntage of that

ment in respect

fully trained in :ercises should n between the

0зsible, but it

on to the

of aircraft to

wever, in an

ir could be

s fra Singapore.

ng boat squadron,

hould this prove

> maintain a

oviding that the

base supply dur

le becomes

tores from aircraft

upply into the

by slowness

Please note that this c

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

y is supplied subject to the National Archives' larms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh

t present extremely lable, is all