CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 569

00085

been examined and it appears that perable administrative difficulties.

n of Halte being moreover two

f approximately the same strength

..1though a libeet exchange is not

could

y brttalions from elsewhere ison of Hong Kong, being replaced

training the 0.0.0. Malta has

oncerning present garrison duties ombined Operations agrees that Ining periods.

we consider that the proposed

ind we sugest that it should be

+

that

Defence Committee considers brttalion lift are available at uirements for the defence of the

nd strongly supports the request of .7s. and six L.C.I.(L)s should be

L

The Commander-in-Chief B.F.F. states

care and maintenance parties

ently to avoid deterioration of the et included in the Post-ing sonult

ed in reserve nt Hong Kong. The ense lend craft and will have to uthorities.

at sia Defence Committee's strong er that a lift for one battalion

unt that six L.C.Ts will be

10. These craft will requiro iven this, We consider that able to maintain them in emergency red. Observin; that the Poster

be formed until 1952 we feel that for the present be available from

consider they would gain valuable : lon; Kong.

Defence Committee has agreed that

is sufficient and the Governor has ovided that satisfactory arrangementa

s and the provision of adequate

these points are under

47 and 762

259

6) 58th Meu ting

~

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' terme and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

00086

13.

EVENTU..L DEFENCE RR. HOEJENTS

As regards the eventu: 1 land garrison of Hong Kong the Chiefs of Staff, in considering a suggestion by the War Office that it was undesirable to tie up permanently

regular British troops in Hong Kong, decided" to defer consideration of the withdravil of these forces. They invited the Yer Office however to raise with the Colonial Office the recruitment, strength and composition of a Hong Kong pelic free or endermarie capable of ensuring the internal security mi loc:1 protection of the Colony ageinst guerrillas.

14. The Colonial Office pevliminary opinion of this proposal, since rumplified in discussion, is that, in view of the politicrl aitur.lica in Chius, they cannot foresce a time when the security of the Colony could be effected by any force other than reul:r troops. Furthermore, the South East Asia Defence Committee has strongly recommended that a garrison of on. British brigade and one field artillery regiment will be required permanently in Hong Kong.

15. In vis:

thusini na we consider that discussions

on the rption of sunlar arie For Hong Kong should now be holt in buyincu,

16.

of

If however it is considered probable that the shortago my mɛn-pover is likely to necessitate the abandonment of comitiuntu Which have hitherto buon regarded as inosenpablo, we cansier that in vurill r. viw should be trade of the practic bility of raia: ganbana uric in all Colonial territorics to rual.co, 1. lor in part, our regular garrisons.

17.

CONCLUSIC!TS

We conclude thet:-

(a) The strength of the garrison of liong Kong should

(b)

If possibl.. rom in unaltered until the local

pelice and volunteer forces are efficient, which it ic expected will be by April. S....0.5.B... should be instructed to make appropriate arrangements in the light of the situation in Hong Kong und elsewhere in his Command if ruplacount for 150 I.5. F. Brigade becomos necessary.

3 Commande Brigade should be moved as soon as is

practicable to Malta, thereby making possible the provision of two infantry battalions which, together with a field regiment, should form the British garrison of Hong Kong after April, 1947. The field regiment should be provided by s....c.s... who should also earmark an infantry brigade as a reserve at call within S.E....C.

+ 0.0.9.(46) 193(0) *0.0.S. (46

113th Meeting

0.0.5.(46) 116th ileeting

-tr

يا

Ref.

CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

N

hat your use of it may be s

to copyright

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions restrictions. Further Information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives