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This is an unparaphrased version of a Secret cypher message and unless it is marked O.T.P. (One Time Pad) or Publex must first be paraphrased if commun- icated to persons outside British and United States Government Services.

Any telegraphic retransmission of a telegram marked Publex must be in a One Time System.

Outward Telegram from Commonwealth Relations Office

४८

DEFENCE & CIVIL AVIATION DEPT.

D. 3246/1

CYPHER

(TYPEX)

TO:

CANADA

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

SOUTH AFRICA

INDIA

PAKISTAN

CEYLON

(GOVT.)

11

11

11

11

PRIORITY

(Sent 17.00 hours 6th May, 1949)

H.No.211 TOP SECRET

My telegram H.No.207.

(72)

HONG KONG

D.I

Д

Decision has now been taken to send remainder of

Brigade Group to Hong Kong as carly as possible; to augment

Fighter Squadron which is being moved from Malaya from 8 to 16

aircraft and to collect and arm additional local patrol craft.

This will bring Hong Kong Garrison to following strength:

Navy Far Eastern Squadron augmented by local patrol craft

to be manned from cruisers on station.

Army

Two Infantry Brigades.

One armoured Squadron.

Two Field Regiments.

One Composite A.A. Regiment,

Ancillary Administrative Units.

Air Force One Fighter/Ground Attack Squadron of 16 aircraft.

Fighter Control and early warning radar.

Five Sunderland Flying Boats.

Indication of reinforcements to be sent to Hong Kong was included

in statement by Minister of Defence in House of Commons on

5th May.

2.

It is considered that Garrison thus reinforced would be

strong enough to hold local or guerilla attacks and that evidence

/of our

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