CO537-4999 — Page 289

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

TOP SECRET

The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited.

It is issued for the personal use of...

Col Luischins

Copy No

71

∙C.O.S.(49)154

30TH APRIL, 1949

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE

AA DEFENCE OF HONG KONG

Note by the War Office

The Commanders in Chief Committee Far East in reporting their considerations on the reinforcements required for Hong Kong specified in particular that there is an urgent requirement for the early arrival of one composite AA Regiment.

2.

There are at present no AA defences in Hong Kong as the one battery agreed by the Chiefs of Staff as part of the peacetime garrison has not yet been formed.

It is therefore considered that in view of the expressed urgency of the requirement for AA reinforcements for

Hong Kong the Minister of Defence should invite his colleagues to agree as early as possible to the despatch of the

AA regiment, regardless of whether any decision can be given on the despatch of the remainder of the reinforcements under consideration.

3. It is therefore considered that the Chiefs of Staff should forward a Note to the Minister of Defence on the lines of the draft Note at Annex.

RECOMMENDATION

4.

We recommend that the Chiefs of Staff should

(a) Agree to the need for sending AA reinforcements

to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

(b) Accordingly forward a Note to the Minister of

Defence on the lines of the draft at Annex.

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, S.W.1.

30TH APRIL, 1949.

SEACOS 896

(53)

COS(47)141st Meeting, Item 6. 47

94003/47