CO537-4998 — Page 241

TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

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FRIORITY bopy on 44007/20 (8)

From: Ministry of Defence, London

ΤΟ : G.H.Q. Far East Land Forces

COSSEA 666

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(1)

For FEDSEC.

OZ 145 TOO 151409Z

TOD 151715Z

15th January 1949

For Commanders-in-Chief Committee from Chiefs of staff.

Reference COSSEA 665.

Main points arising from our discussion with Colonial Office on defence of Hong Kong are as follows.

2.

The Threat.

(a) We think it unwise to plan on assumption that the threat will not develop before third quarter of 1949. Preparation of plans should therefore be pressed forward to meet an earlier threat.

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(b) Threat of air attack is so remote that the proposed A. A. battery of H.K.D. F. should be adequate. This will not be operative until late 1950 and War Office have there- fore been invited to consider what interim arrangement s are required.

(c) Colonial Office stress the difficulty of effectively closing 200 miles of sea frontier without considerable Service assistance. You should report, after consultation with Governor, Hong Kong, what arrangements you propose to

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make.

3.

Forces Available to meet Threat.

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The

(a) Colonial Office consider, and we agree, that military and civil forces available and being formed will be inadequate to meet a serious threat arising in six to nine months time. Moreover, H.K.D. F. cannot remain mobilised for long period without disrupting economic life of the Colony. Colonial Office has therefore Suggested accelerating the raising of additional battalions of the Malay Regiment to free other troops for use in Hong Kong in emergency.

(b) We consider that in emergency you will be forced to free a Brigade Group from Malaya to reinforce Hong Kong. Present reinforcements of one Brigade Group to Far East Garrison will therefore be maintained until stable condi- tions in Malaya and Hong Kong are assured or the Gurkha Division and local forces are up to strength.