CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 99

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CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' safet Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyngi

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COMMENT

The threat of mine laying is only likely if hostilities break out with the Central Government of CHINA and a reserve of mine seepers is not considered to be essential in HONG KONG

Annex II Paragraph 11.

(ii) Regarding the provision of an assault force, we do not consider

that we shall be called upon to mount an operation of any size against

CHINESE territory, no matter how serious the deterioration in the

CHINESE situation, We do NOT, therefore, consider that the provision

of a Brigade lift is required at HONG KONG

for oss

There might, however, be a requireflent for landing small on the islands of the Colony itself for ensuring internal security.

As this would not be against any degree of opposition specialised

landing craft should not be necessary".

COMMENT.

In the event of operations by a CHINESE War Lord in possession

of CANTON, occasions may well arise necessitating an assault

landing, e.g. against BOCCA TIGRIS, a most likely operation both tactically and traditionally. considered that an assault lift for

kept in reserve at HONG KONG

Para 3 (c)

For this purpose it is one battalion should be

"Modern arms and equipment including aircraft and transport

would not in all probability be available to a provincial War Lord,

should one arise in SOUTH CHINA, to challenge the rule of CHIANG

KAI-SHEK. The possibility of an attack by a provincial War Lord

can also be excluded as long as a garrison of approximately its

present strength is available as a deterrent."

COMMENT

A pre-requisite of the existance of a War Lord capable of challenging other than the most olementary form of opposition is the possession of modern arms and equipment. For the past eight years both the U.K. and the U.S.A. have

scale. been supplying these items to CHINA on a major

In addition the CHINESE now possess all ex JAPANESE equipment left in CHINESE tanitary and HONG KONG.

า

cms

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

scopy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyngt

Please note that Further

Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet

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