CO537-4998 — Page 105

DRANT NOTE

43.

Draft of a note for the Prime Minister promised by

the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

TOP SECRET

32 94001/28/49

(No.40 on

94001/28/49)

Citared ad femanded up likt Rap Chambers

1(Mw2)/ 8 4/4

1.

THE GROUND DEFENCES OF HONG KONG

The permanent regular Garrison of Hong Kong consists

and the Field Regiment at present

of three Infantry Battalions, (1st Burrs, 2/6 & 2/10 Gurkha Rifles and the 25th Field Regiment R.A) (day

with necessary administrative backing.

2. The Hong Kong Defence Force (Volunteers) is now being

The Infantry (Battalion) is being recruited but

formed.

will not be operational until July 1949 at earliest.

Battery

The

formation of further long elements of this Force (Armoured

Squadrow and Cars, Heavy A.A. Artillery), "is still being considered.

7* (46) Meeting 3. There are now no fixed defences in Hong Kong. (D...)

Wire has been provided sufficient to wire the frontier on

the meinland if it is decided to do so.

4. On 28th February the 0.0.S. took note of the strength

of the land defence of Hong Kong, on the basis of a recent

report by the Commanders in Chief, Far East.

They

considered that in certain circumstances it would be

necessary to reinforce Hong Kong, but that it is undesirable

to reinforce the Far Seat from the U.K, at present although

one brigade group is being held in readiness for possible

reinforcement overseas (including the Far Saet) in an

emergency. Therefore, if reinforcement of Hong Kong

becomes necessary, it is probable that it would come

initially from forces in the Far Seat (1.e. Kalaya):

Tay but, in this event, auch reinforcements would have to be

replaced from the U.Ko, if the situation at the time in warranted such measures.

COLONIAL OFFICE.

CONIAL 4 APRIL, 1949.

•Kalaya

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