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CO 537/1261

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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5.

(c)

(a)

If the Commando Brigade were re-trained to its former high standard of officiency, it is submitted that it would bo a most valuable assot as a mobile strategic reserve to meet emergencies in imperial policing.

The 6th Airborne Division is being withdrawn from garrison duties in Palestine for exactly parallel

reasons.

(a) The Commando Brigade, consisting of only three Commandos, is very inferior in strength to an

If it is eventually decided that Infantry Brigado. a British brigade is required in Hong Kong, then the Commando Brigade could not be regarded as a suitable substituto.

I was informed by the Chief of Staff to S. A. C. S. E. A., and the G.0. C. Hong Kong, at a recent informal moeting, that they were extremely desirous of retaining the Commando Brigado until the 31st May, 1947, but that they would then be able

I therefore suggest that to soc their way to releasing it. that date should be confirmed, and that 3 Commando Brigado should be definitely withdrawn at the ond of that period.

6. As the Commando Brigado is to be part of our post-war force, it is desirable that it should be moved to a location

The ideal where it could be re-organised and re-trained. location would be the United Kingdom, where its reforming could be most vasily carried out.

I consider that within six months of its arrival in this country the Brigade will be ready for a further period

of operations overseas, possibly in the Middle East, whero

it may be possible to provide amphibious training for it in Cyprus.

7.

:

RECOMMENDATION

I therefore recommend that:-

(a)

The Chiefs of Staff should agrco to

3 Commando Brigade being retained in Hong Kong until 31st May, 1947.

(b) Approval should be given for the Brigade to return to the United ingdom for re-forming and re-training in its Commando role, as soon after the 1st May, 1947, as is practicable.

(Signed) R. E. LAYCOCK

offices of the Cabinet and

Minister of Defence, S.W.1.

8TH SEPTEMBER 1946.

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