CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 829

00118

36

TOP SECRET

Room 225

The War Office, Whitehall, S.W.1.

9 May, 1946

13001/10.

tary Chiefs of Staff Committee

le that the Colonial Office have

aper (J (46) 34(Final) on the vices in HONG KONG after the

civil Government, and that you it a copy of the instructions

le Service Commanders there.

ngly attach a copy of the

hat I am having despatched to rces HONG KONG.

Yours micus

CAAugu

G.C.M.G.,K.C.B., D.S.O.,

11 MAY 1946

0. U. .....

2

Ref:

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

N

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Condillons of supply of National Archives to copyright

00119

た

TOP SECRET

CIPHER TELEGRAM

** MAY 1946

0. V. hou

This message will not be distributed outside British Government Departments or Headquarters or re-transmitted, even in cipher, without being paraphrased. (Messages marked O.T.P. need not be paraphrased.)

From The War Office

To

: GOC Land Forces HONG KONG

-in-C .L.F.S.E.Á.

IMMEDIATE

RECIRCULATION Dosp. 080155 May 46.

DTO 071830

Desp. 080155 May '46.

Info S.A.C.S.E..

C-in-C HONG KONG

56989 cipher (M.0.12). 7 May.

1.

H

י

TOP SECRET

Chiefs of Staff have recently approved the organisation of command of Services in HONG KONG after resumption of civil government. The following paragraphs constitute the instructions in so far as they affect you, and are to come into force with effect from the date of resumption of civil government (1 May 1946).

2. Channel of Command. The channel of command and responsibility for Army forces will be Wur Office, C-in-C A.L.F.8.5.........., 0.0.C. Land Forces HONG KONG, S.A.C.S.E.A.'s administrative responsibility as regarde priority for the Army, R....F. and Civil Affairs will remain unaltered.

5. Local Command .rrangements. The three local service commanders will be of equal status. Local inter-Service co-ordination will be effected through an inter-Service Committas consisting of the thres local Commanders. A senior member of the Civil Administration will be included in the Committee to assist in the co-ordination of matters in which both civil and military interests are involved.

Since 0.0.0. Land Forces has the major responsibility for internal security and for dealing with Chinese military authorities

he will be appointed Chairman of the Committee, but this appointment will not carry the title of Fortress Commander.

4.

Relationship between the Services and the Governor. The Chairman of the Inter-Service Committee will act as its agent in dealing with the Governor on matters of an Inter-Service nature. Erch of the local Commanders will however have equal right of access to the Governor on matters peculiar to his own Service.

Local disagreements between the Services will be referred to the Commanders-in-Chief concerned (in the case of the Army C-in-C ...L.F.S.E...). Conflicts between Service and Civil requirements, which cannot be resolved locally, will be a matter for consultation between the Command rs-in-Chief and the Governor. If these authorities are unable to reach agreement, the question will be referred to London.

5.

The above organisation of Command is intended to meet conditions existing in HONG KONG at the present time. A revision of thess arrangements may prove desirable when the situation in the Colony has returned to normal, or when the pc ace-time organisation of the Higher Command in the Far East has been finally decided.

Separate instructions are being sent by the admiralty and Air Ministry to their Service Commanders in HONG KONG.

6.

C.6 (Telegrams)

/Copies to :

Ref.

CO 537/1262

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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

restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Tarms and Conditions of supply of National Archives elect to copyright

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