CO537-4998 — Page 154

-8-

TOP SECRET

4

(b) The times for our own troops moving in MT from present

locations, assuming troops to be at half hour notice,

are:-

(1) From MURRAY BARRACKS to:-

KO LOON

45 mins

SHAM SHUI PO

60 mins

MS 51 (5407)

80 mins

MS 44 (5815) TSUN FAN WAI

TẠI LẠI CAMP

(ii) From WHITFIELD BARRACKS to:-

115 mins

110 mins

160 mins

MS 51

MS 44

TSUN WAN WAI

THI LAM CAMP

(111) From SAN WAI CAMP to:-

CHICK's BRIDGE SHEUNG SHUI FANLING

(vi) From TAI LAM CAMP to:-

YUEN LONG FANLING

50 mins

85 mins

80 mins

130 mins

50 mins

40 mins

35 mins

70 mins 120 mins

(c) We have only one infantry battalion North of the line

ΤΑΙΡΟ WAN KA WAI (3412) and that is at SAN WAI. Next /is infantry battalion/in WHITFIELD BARRACKS. To move this

battalion up to the battle area by road it would have to go forward in MI, The area of NO LOCN CITY may be difficult to get through, owing to civil disorder.

27. Deductions.

(a) The whole time and space situation illustrates clearly

that the peacetime locations of our troops are unsatis- factory for meeting a quickly executed invasion. The units, except for the SAN AI battalion, are located in tactically unsuitable places, i.e.:-

T

(1) The ISLAND battalion would have to pass through both

HONG KONG and KO LOON and cross the water gap. Both the towns might be in a troublous state either involving delays or misappropriation of troops.

(ii) The SAN WAI battalion has a Company detached at

CLEAR WATER BAY which would have to pass through KOLOON.

(iii) The WHITFIELD BARRACKS battalion will have two

companies at LYEMUN.

•

(iv) The Field Regiment is in KOWLOON with a battery at

TẠI LAM The layout of this Regiment is not only tactically unsound, but encourages misuse of Field Artillery, which, with limited troops available, is always tempting.

(b) It is therefore essential that, dependent on IS duties

and information, battalions and the Ficli egiment must concentrate early.

• •

./INTERNAL