CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 431

-17-

003 75

Singapore

Kota Bahru

Kota Bahru

Saigon

(305 nautical miles, (381

si

Saigon

Tu ane

(333

IT

Turane

Samar

11 (152

Samar

Hong trong

(365

H

t

24.

This route, however, requires staging through a Chinese airfiell. hould this fact not be available the alternative would appear to bo reinforcement by aircraft carrier or with long range fighters capable of flying direct from Singapore to Hong Kong.

CONCLUSION.

25.

It is felt that the above suggestion, if implemented would result in there being available in Hong Kong a balanced air force capable of undertaking the air problems connected with the defonce of the Colony on the scale of a "small var" against local forces unsupported by a major power. The composition of forces to fulfil these requirements are outlined in Section VII. Any consideration of the problem outside these terms of reference would require a fresh apreciatio11.

cmte

Ref:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions, and that your use of d may be subject to copyright