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>F HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
paper has been strictly limited.
-Cal Chalmero
RAFT
lary Draft)
' STAFF COMMITTEE
LANNING STAFF
Copy No. 48
THE
IRISON OF HONG KONG
the Joint Flanning Staff
instructions we have examined
. C. 5. E. A. in which he forwards
rrison of Hong Kong expressed neo Committee.
e Committee's present agreed
the defence of Hong Kong is briefly
ny could not be defended against
major power in occupation of the land, Hong Kong should be regarded nded port as far as fixed defences a.
-establishment of the local iolice tud the present Army Garrison of
should be reduced to one brigade
her with half a flying boat squadron, uirod in the Colony for some
time. Units of the British
t would provide such local naval
as might be required.
247
ng Kong has stated that the local
iont enough to allow a ruduction
1947. The South East Asia
ler that two brigados will therefore late.
747 and 762
347
7th Hooting.
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Ref:
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.
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N
4.
The present (arrison of Hong Kong comprises 150 I. S. F. Brigade and 3 Cormando Brigade and would meet requirements until the re-establishment in ..pril of police and volunteer forces. The plans concerning 3 Commando Brigade is that it should remain in Hong Kong until April, 1947, and the Chief of Combined Operations has recommended that its stay should not be extended after 31st May, 1947*. 150 IS.. Brigade is due to return to Indic by the end of 19460 but the C.-in-C., India, is negotiating with the State Rulers for an oxunsion of its stay until 1st April, 1947.
5.
Until 1st April, 1947, therefore, we consider it unlikely that there will be any problem regarding the carrison of the colony.
Garrison ftor April, 1947
6. Sixo of Garrison The South East sia Defunco Comaitteo state that since considerable quantities of modern arms have been supplied to China by both the United Kingdom and the U.S.. and much equipment has bcon left behind in the country by the Japanese, the assumption made by the C.-in-C., Hongong, in his appreciation, that any attacking army would be adequately equipped still applius. They therefore consider that although re-establishment of the local iolice Force will allow some reduction of land forces after ipril, 1947, onu British brigade and one field artillery regiment will still be required in the Colony to net as a visible deterrent, while another brigade roup should be availablo within S. E. 1. C. capable of being rapidly transported to Hong Kong in emergency. Bocuse of this and of the prostigo value of British forces in this important commercial port, we consider that it should be accepted in principle that the garrison of the Colony, the strength of which has already been approved as of the order of une brigado, should consist of the British formation rec.amended by the Governor of Hong Kong and the South East „sia Defence Committee. This British free would bo required until conditions in China became more stablo. It would in addition bc desirable to have the reserve brigade row available at call within S. 2.... C.
7.
The British Porco for Hong Kong after April, 1947, could be found by extending the stay of 3 Commando Brigade for an indefinite perijd.
This would, however, bu at the expense of the catablishment of the post-war assault forca, since the tasks which the garrison of Hong Kong is called upon to perform interfore seriously with the training of a specialised force. Wo do not therefore consider this a satisfactory solution,
8.
The shortage of man-power is such, however, thrt we consider 3 Commando Brigade should, as a temporary measure and provided it can receive its Commando training, continue to assist the .rmy in its many commitments. If the Bride could relieve Army units in some other station where adequate training facilities could so provided, the units so relieved would be available for Hong Kong end, in addition, the training object would be achieved. The Chief of the Imperial General Staff
+ C.0. S. (46) 212
Government of India telegram 4660 dated
31st uust, 1946.
2 4458A/SD5
* SZ..COS 747.
-2-
Ref
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVĖS
restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
● nole that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
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