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EXTRACT FROM C.O.S.(g) 7/4

MEETING HELD

3/5/45

TOP SECRET

5. DEFENCE OF HONG KONG

(Previous Reference: COS (49) 73rd Meeting)

SIR WILLIAM ELLIOT informed the Committee of the discussion on the Defence of Hong Kong that had taken place at the meeting of the South-East Asia Committee on the previous evening. Memoranda were now being prepared for consideration by the Cabinet on the 25th May setting out all the various factors which should be taken into account in reaching a decision on this important issue. The Foreign Office were preparing a comprehensive paper on the political implications involved and this would take into account the views of both the Colonial Office and the Commonwealth Relations Office. The Minister of Defence had undertaken to prepare a report on the military implications. This would be based on the Aide Memoire which had been prepared as a result of the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday evening. It would be necessary to expand this paper in some respects, and Ministers had also asked for clarification on certain points. The War Office were being asked to verify the position regarding the number of Reservists which it would be necessary to recall if the proposed re-inforcements were despatched. It would also be necessary for the War Office, in consultation as necessary with the Ministry of Transport, to provide certain additional information on the shipping implications. Ministers had referred to the poss- ibility that the Australians might be able to assist by providing the 24 Mustangs now with the R.A.A.F. in Japan. this connection, it had been suggested that the Mustangs might go to Hong Kong in place of the Hornets from Fighter Command. Air Marshal Lloyd had made it clear that he would require a total of 48 aircraft for the defence of the Colony. It would be necessary for the Air Ministry to provide informat- ion for the Memorandum by the Minister of Defence showing exactly how the 48 aircraft were to be provided. In this connection, it would be necessary to indicate to what extent the Admiralty could assist by the provision of Hornets. A draft of the Memorandum by the Minister of Defence was now being prepared, and Service Ministries had already been approached to provide the necessary information. The paper was being prepared in time for consideration by the Vice Chiefs of Staff at their meeting on Monday, 23rd May, and it was, therefore, most urgent that the data required should be forthcoming as soon as possible.

THE COMMITTEE:

(1)

took note of the statement by

Sir William Elliot.

(2) Invited the Service Departments to

provide the necessary information required for the Memorandum now being prepared on the Defence

of Hong Kong.

C.0.S. (49) 183

In