CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 494

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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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

IMMEDIATE

From:

SEALF

TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

RECEIVED BY 0.T.P.

ΤΟ : CABINET OFFICES

SEACOS 798.

IZ 4975 TOO 1004002 TOR 102105Z

RECEIVED 11 DLC 1946

C.O. REGY.

10th December, 1946.

From South East Asia Secretariat.

For Chiefs of Staff from British Defence Committee in South East Asia.

(36)

Further to SEACOS 785 TOO 120515 November. We have obtained the views of the Governor of Hong Kong on the question of the retention of

These 5 corrupt groups) + Landing Craft.

1.

It is still considered that the assault lift of one battalion should be provided, maintained, and manned as part of the garrison of Hong Kong in order that, if the colony is threatened by the rising of a War Lord in Southern China, it may if necessary, be possible to mount an amphibious assault on a nearby strategic point in Chinese territory, The assumptions on which Admiral Harcourt based his appreciation forwarded to you under Reference 58/2, dated 24th December 1945 are considered to be sound and it cannot be agreed that the minimum defence needs of Hong Kong will be met if a battalion lift is not provided.

(b) Further consultation has taken place

between Naval and Military Commanders who are now agreed that, in view of the difficulty of maintaining and manning Landing Craft, the Army requirements of a lift for one battalion with(?) transport can be provided by one LCI (L) and the Ramp Cargo Lighters at present employed at Hong Kong augmented by ten similar craft.

(c) Provided therefore, that one LCI(L) can be retained, ten additional RCLS are supplied and suitable replacements made available as the LCI(L) and RCLS become unserviceable, six LCT and five LCI(L) can be released from Hong Kong.

+ Check and repeat has been requested.

ๆ