00094
Ref:
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
7
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
4.
The present (arrison of Hong Kong comprises 150 I. S. F. Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade and would meet requirements until the re-establishment in April of police and volunteer forces. The plans concerning 3 Commando Brigado 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. F. Brigade is due to return to India by the end of 1946 but the C.-in-C., India, is negotiating with the State Rulers for an oxension 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 After April, 1947
6. Size of Garrison The South East ..sia Defence Committee 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 been left behind in tho country by the Japanese, the assumption made by the C.-in-C., Hong Kong, in his appreciation, that any attacking army would be adequately equipped still applies. They thuruïore consider that although re-establishment of the local lolice Force will allow some roduction of land forces after April, 1947, one British brigade and one field artillery regiment will still be required in the Colony to act as a visible deturrunt, while another brigade group should be available within S. E... C. capable of being rapidly transported to Hong Kong in umergency. Because of this and of the prestige 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 buen approved as of the order of one brigado, should consist of the British formation roc.zmended by the Governor of Hong Kong and the South East .nia Defence Committed. This British free would be required until conditions in China became more stable. It would in addition be desirablo to have the reserve brigade rou available at call within S. 2. ... C.
7.
The British Force for Hong Kong
after April, 1947, could be found by extending the stay of 3 Commando Brigade for an indefinite periud.
This would,
however, bu at the expense of the establishment of the post-war casault force, since the tasks which the garrison of Hong Kong is called upon to perfona interfere seriously with the training
of a specialised force. We do not therefore consider this
a satisfactory solution.
8.
The shortago of man-power is such, however, thrt we considor 3 Commando Brigade should, as a temporary men sure ană provided it can receive its Commando training, continue
to assist the ..rmy in its many commitments. If the Bri_zdu could relievo Army units in some other station where adequate training facilities could provided, the units so relieved
would be available for Hong object would be achieved.
+ C.0. S. (46)212
Kong and, in addition, the training
The Chief of the Imperial General Staff
Government of India telugram 4660 dated 31st ugust, 1946.
→ 2 4458/SD5
32.COS 747.
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