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PERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
f his paper has been
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limited.
Copy No.46
e personal use of almeno
STAFF
iminary Draft)
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE
JOINT PLAINING STAFF
FUTURE GARRISON OF HONG KONG
of instructions we have examined a
S.3.A. in which he forwards views concerning Kong expressed by South East Asia Defence
of a mating with the Governor of that colony.
olicy for the defence of th: Colony wan
3 paper in which it was decided, as lefended against attack by a major power
Chinese mainland, that Hong Kong should be ended port.
ed by the War Office that it was undesirable
itish troops in garrison duties in Hong Kong. sted that such duties could be entrusted ped and trained forces such no a gendarmarie
hey asked the Chiefs of Staff to approve the
of all British forces as soon as such a
dy to carry out its functions.
taff, in considering the War Office
decision on the matter" pending the
ce Committee's deliberations on the size of December, 1946.
They agreed, however, that d, without prejudice to any final decision, office to recruit and train a police force le of taking over entire responsibility for
y and local protection of the Colony against
ent position with regard to this question is Tice lave proposed deferring detailed
the Chiefs of Staff have given their decision ermanent grrison of the colony, in the mnendations of the South East Asia Defence
.S.N.A.C.0.5. 747
J.P. (46) 10
0.0.8. (46)193(0)
c.o.s. (16)113th Meeting
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5. Views of the South East Asia Defence Committee. The South East Asia Defence Committee at a meeting on 30th August, 1946, at which they considered the views of the Governor of Hong Kong on the extent of the garrison of that colony, stated+ that they could not agree with the contention that modern arms and equipment would not be available to an attacking army lcd by a War Lord, or to a guerilla army. Their view is that since considerable quantitios of modern arms have been supplied to China by both the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. and much equipment has been left behind in the country by the Japanese, the assumption made by the C.-in-C. Hong Kong in his apprec- iation, that an attacking army would be adequately equipped, still holds good. They, therefore, consider that, to act as a deterrent, a garrison of one British brigade and ono field artillory regiment will be required permanently in the colony, with a similar force available within S.E.A.C. and capable of being rapidly transported to Hong Kong in emergency.
6. We feel that in the light of those conflicting opinions, and since the Defence Committee has now reached its conclusions on the strength of the Army no at December, 19460, the Chiefs of Staff should decide the policy regarding the form and extent of the permanent garrison for the colony. We consider that before such a decision is mado S.A.C.5.3.A. should be naked to examine and report on the implications of finding from his forces a permanent garrison of the size suggested by the South East Asia Defence Committoc. We suggest also that the War Office should be instructed not to proceed further with their discussions with the Colonial orrice on the question of gendarmarie until S.A. C.S.B.A's report has been received.
Immediate Problem
7.
In considering our short term policy in Hong Kong, the Chiefs of Staff decided that to ensure internal security, to afford protection against piracy, and as a deterrent to an attempt at incursion by Chinese guerillag, certain forces would be required in the Island for some time to come. These were assessed as follows:-
(a) Navy. Units of the British Pacific Fleet
(b) Army. Two brigades until January, 1947, reducing
to one brigade after that date.
(c) Air. A detachment of half a Flying: Bont Squadron.
The reduction in the Army forces was based on the assumption that by January, 19-17, the local police force would have become fully re-established and effective.
In emergency, additional air reinforcement could be drawn from elsewhere in the theatre.
8.
Views of the South East Asia Defence Committee. Whilc the South East Asin Defence Committee agreo with the estimates for Naval and Air Forces they "oint out that, with regard to the Army garrison, the Governor of Hong Kong has stated that the local police will not be efficient enough to allow a reductions of troops before April, 1947. They consider that two brigades and two field regimento will, therefore, be required until this date. They agree that after that date the Governor should be able to fulfil his commitments with the forces outlined in paragraph 5 above.
+ S.5.4.C.0.58.747 6th September, 1946
6 D.0.(46) 91
x 0.0.8.(46) 58th Moeting
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