CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 567

00084

crrison of Hong Kong comprises

and 3 Commando Brigade. The latter

a is available until April, 1947+.

is due to return to India by the end

lorstand that negotiations, which are

e extension of its stay, may not be

1 is the ouse S..CSE. should be instructed to

y errangements as he considers appropriate

situation in Hong Kong and elsewhere in we are unable to supply the short term

d for this brigede from outside S.E...C.

1.RRISON AFTER PRIL, 1947

sir Defence Committee state that since .ties of modern arms have been supplied to United Kingdom and the U.S.. and much

left behind in the country by the Japanese,

by the C.-in-C., Hong Kong, in his any attacking my would be adequately .ics. They therefore consider that .chment of the local Police Force will

n of lani forces after April, 1947, onc

on field artillery regiment will still Colony to act as a visible deterrent, de group should be available within

being rapidly transported to Hong Kong

G

00085

Ref.:

CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

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

CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

s that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives" terms and condillons and that your use of it may be subject to copyright.

N

7. This suggestion has been examined and it appears that it would present no insuperable administrative difficulties. The present ..rmy garrison of Malta being moreover two infantry battalions is of approximately the same strength as 3 Commando hrigade. Although a direct exchange is not practicable, to infantry battalions from elsewhere be used to form the garrison of Hong Kong, being replaced by units from Melta.

could

8. 1.8 rugards Commapulo training the G.0.C. Malta has forwarded a statement concerning present garrison duties in Malta, and Chief of Combined Operations agrees that these allow adequate training periods.

9. In view of the above we consider that the proposed solution is prnoticable and we sugest that it should be effected without delny.

Provision of Landing Craft

that

10. The South Bratain Defence Committee considers unless lending: craft for battalion lift are available at Hong Kong the minimum requirements for the defence of the

Colony will not be met and strongly supports the request of the Governor that six L.C.Ts. and six L.C.I.(L)s should be retained and maintained. The Commander-in-Chief B.F.F. states that he cannot provide the care and maintenance parties which are required permanently to avoid deterioration of the oraft These craft are not included in the Post-ingssault Force but have been placed in reserve at Hong Kong. The L.C.I.(L) are, however, lease lend craft and will have to be returned to the U.S. .uthorities.

11. In view of South East ..sia Defence Committee's strong recommendation, we consider that a lift for one Lattalion should be provided and su,gent that six L.C.Ts will be sufficient for this purpose. These craft will requiro maintenance parties but, given this, we consider that C.-in-C. B.F.F. should be able to maintrin them in emergency and for training as required. Observing that the Post-Ter Assault Force will not not be formed until 1952 we feel that maintenance parties might for the prosent be available from the United Kingdom and we consider they would gain valuable experience in practices at Hong Kong.

Air Gerrison

12. The South East sin Defence Committee has agreed that

the proposed air garrison is sufficient and the Governor has expressed his agreement provided that satisfactory arrangements

nre made for reinforcements and the provision of adequnte redar cover. 'e note that these points are under

investigation by .C.S.3...

+ Appendix

#SE.COS 747 and 762

A J.P.(45) 259

7 0.0.3.(46) 58th lecting

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¡on

at the field regiment and the reserve rovided from S...C.S.2.is own resources. annod that 3 Commando Brigade should

until pril, 1947, and the Chier of

has recommended that its stay should not 1at Hay, 1947+. The shortage of man-power hat consider 3 Commando Brigade should, ure, and provided it can receive its continue to assist the army in its many this in view the Chicf of the Imperial ugested that the possibility should

3 Commando Brigade could form the

hus making availablc Army unita of

ent strength to garrison Hong Kong.

0.0.8.(46) 212

Government of Indin telegram 4660 dated

31st, ugust, 1946.

Z 4458/SD5

SEXCOS 747

0.0.3. (46) 147th liceting

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