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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 led by a War Lord, or to a querilla army. Their view is that since considerable quantities 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 not as 'n deterrent, a garrison of one British brigade and ono field artillory regimont 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 renched its conclusions on the strength of the Army as at December, 19460, the Chiefs of Staff should decide the policy rogarding the form and extent of the permanent garrison for the colony. We consider that before such a decision is made S.A.C.S.E.A. should be asked to examine and report on the implications of finding from his forces a permanent garrison of the size suggested by the South East Asin Defence Committee. We suggest also that the War Office should be instructed not to proceed further with their discussions with the Colonial Office on the question of gendarmerie until S.A.C.S.E.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 cecurity, 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 come time to come. These were assessed as follows:-

(a) Navy. Unite of the British Pacific Fleet

(b) Army. Two brigades until January, 1947, reducing

to one brigado after that date.

(c) Air. A detachment of half a Flying: Boat Squadron.

The reduction in the Army forces was based on the assumption that by January, 1917, the local police force would have become fully re-established and effective. In emergency, additional air reinforcement could be árnwn from elsewhere in the theatre.

8.

Views of the South East Asia Defence Committee. Whilo the South East Asia Defence Committee agrec with the estimates for Naval and Air Forces they point out that, with regard to the Army garrison, the Governor of liong 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.

>7+ 8.5.A.0.0.8.747 6th September, 1946

6 D.0. (46) 91

= 0.0.8.(46) 58th Meeting

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