CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 584

00094

CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

e note that this copy is supplied subject tonal Archives' leams and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigl

restrictions. Further

information is g

Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafet

ison of Hong Kong comprises

3 Commando frigado and would meet

re-establishment in ..pril of police

The plans concerning 3 Commando

id remain in Hong Kong until

Lef of Combined Operations has

hy should not be extended aftor

S.. Brigade is due to return to

but the C.-in-C., India, is

ate Rulers for an extension of L, 1947.

1947, therefore, we consider it

I be any problem regarding the

247

The South East Asia Defence Committed ierable quantities of mudorn arms

inn by both the United Kingdom and .pment has boon left behind in the

the assumption made by the C.-in-C., ciation, that any attacking army .pped still applius. They therefore c-establishment of the local lolico uction of land forces aftur April, lo and one field artillery regiment

In the Colony to net as a vicible

brigade roup should be availablo

of being rapidly transportud to

Because of this and of the

in forces in this important commercial

.t should be accupted in principle

C.lony, the strength of which has

of the oruur of one brigade, should 'ormation recomended by the Governor

ith East .nis Defunce Committec.

be required until conditions in

·

adc

It would in addition be desirablo

rou vileblo at call within

The British Porco for Hong Kong

be found by extending the stay of

ningefilte period. This would,

Be of the establishment of the post-war

tasks which the garrison of Hong Kong

interfire seriously with the training We do not therefore consider this

an-power je such, however, thrt we cde should, as a temporary mon sure ive its Comendo training, continue s many commitrunts. If the Brizdu

in some other station where adequate de provided, the units so relieved

on'

(ong and, in ddition, the training Thu Chior of the Imperial General Staff

India telegram 4660 dated

1946.

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00095

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CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

€

N

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archiveset.

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject le copyright

has succosted that inlta might be such a station and the possibility of exchanging tho garrison there with the Commando Brigade hes therefor been examined.

9.

This examination has shown that there would be no great my administrative difficulties consequent on tho exchange. The proscnt Army Garrison of Malta being, morcover, two infantry battalions, is of approximately the some strength as 3 Commando Brigade, and thus would, with a field regiment, be an adequate garrison for Hong Kong. 1.8 regards Commando training, the G. 0. C. lialta has forwarded a statement concerning present garrison duties in Malta. From this it is evident also that adequate training periods

In view of the above we would be possible for the Commandos. consider that the proposed exchange is the best solution and suggest that it should be made as soon as is practicable.

10. Frovision of Lending Craft. The South East Asia Defence Committeu considers thet unless landing craft for a battalion lift are available at don kong the minimum requirements for the defence of the colony will not be mot 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. These craft are not included in the Post-War ..ssault Force and can only be maintained at the expanse of other approved commitments. The L. C. I. (L) are, however, loase lund craft and will have to be returned to the U. 3. Authorities.

Eventual Defence .rrangements

11.

It has previously been suggested by the War orrico, that it would be undesirable to tie up permanently, regular British troops in Hong Kong and that indarmorie capable of ensuring the internal socurity of the Colony and deterring guerilla incursions should ov_ntually be raised to take their place. This suggestion has never been communicated to, or considered by, the Hong Kong Goverment, the "Hồng Kong: Defence Committee, or the British Defence Committee in South East ..sia. The Colonial Office, however, fuel, since it is impossible to foresuu how the political situation will develop in Chinn, or to estimate when it may be possible to discount the thrust of large scale attack on Hong Song from ti. Chinese mainland, that the proposal to raise a militia or gendarmerie to replace the British garrison is not at present a practical issuu. They consider, therefore, that consultations on this project now would serve no useful purpose. We must point out, however, that our acute man-power shorter and wilonprued cormitments might necessitate the withdrawal of even the reduced garrison of Hong Kong, perhaps at short notice, if it is considered that risks elsewhere are greater than those in the Colony.

12.

In view or the above it would be providont to consider now not only plans for the eventual formation of a gendarmerie but the raising of a nucleus force as soon as possiblo.

0.0.5. (46) 147th Mooting

Appendix

/ SE.COS 747, and 762

*... (15)259

C. C. 3. (46)193(0)

13031/4/46 Fart II dated 9th October, 1946.

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