CO537-4999 — Page 192

(13096) (1) Wt. 41024-8515 30m 1/47 G.S.St. Gp. 620

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flight. (c) One medium range transport flight for air supply to forward areas. (d) One Auster flight for close coastal reconnaissance. (e) Sunderlands would be based at Hong Kong, as required for long range reconnaissance to assist control of shipping. (f) Two R. A. F. regiment squadrons for the close defence of KAI TAK airfield. (g) The necessary personnel to provide full manning of the type 15 and type 21 radar equipments now in Hong Kong particularly controllers.

13.

Should defection by the C.N.A. F. to the Communists be greater than at present expected the requirement for fighter aircraft may rise to as much as six squadrons since as we have stressed in previous communications even a light scale of air attack on Hong Kong will have very serious effects on morale and internal security and the defence must be strong enough to prevent this if possible. Six squadrons is considered to be the greatest number which could be operated from Kai Tak airfield. The use of a carrier is discussed in paragraph 16.

14.

There is a requirement for an additional airstrip for emergency landings by operational aircraft. A site thought to be suitable is now being surveyed.

Naval Requirements

15.

Naval requirements for the direct defence of Hong Kong cannot be divorced from consideration of the Far East Station in general. The support that can be given to Hong Kong will depend to some extent on events elsewhere. There is little doubt moreover that the long coastline of the colony alone could well necess- itate the employment of considerable numbers of small craft backed by ships with good radar and communications. 16.

The question of aircraft carriers for the Far East Station constantly recurs. Although carriers are not a suitable normal means of providing air defence for a shore base in this case they might be the only means of giving air Support were the single vulnerable airfield to be put out of action. In addition their presence would have a great effect on morale of the population although these would have no understanding of their proper use.

17.

With the considerations of paragraphs 15 and 16 in mind we consider that the minimum naval require- ments for the direct local defence of Hong Kong are:-

(a) One cruiser for long range bombardment.

(b)

(c)

(a)

4 destroyers or frigates for bombardment and patrols.

4 Seaward defence motor launches for patrols.

4 Fairmile type B launches for patrols.

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