CO537-4999 — Page 43

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published or otherwise communicated to persons outside the British or U.S. Government Service. If re-transmitted unparaphrased, the originator must mark it to be sent in "O.T.P." (One-Time Pad).

FROM : G.H.Q., FAR EAST LAND FORCES.

TO

: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, LONDON.

SEACOS 946

IZ 2283 TOO 081630GH (081000A)

152

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TOR 091054A been

42

Measures for its

8th August 1949.

From FEDSEC.

For Chiefs of Staff from Commanders-in-Chief Far East.

The Commander British Forces in Hong Kong has recommended the use of Landing Craft for the support of operations in the defence of the Colony. We agree with him that there is a requirement for such craft.

2.

The lack of good roads and rough terrain in the new territories would offset to a considerable degree our technical superiority in all arms over the Chinese Comm- unist Forces piers and jetties where MFV Type Craft can land troops or supplies are limited in number but there are very few stretches of the coastline of the new terr- itories or islands on which landing craft could not beach. The use of the latter would therefore restore to us the advantage of mobility and enable the full benefit of our command of the sea and air to be enjoyed.

3.

Landing craft could be used for

(a) The landing of a force not larger than one Batt- alion strength with supporting arms for operations on the Mainland or the islands.

(b) The supply replenishment and reinforcement of units or formations whose lines of communication have been cut.

(c) The landing and evacuation by sea of raiding parties and Long Range Penetration Groups.

4.

The Commander British Forces in Hong Kong has ask- ed for sufficient craft to lift one Battalion with support- ing arms. We agree that this number is desirable but app- reciate the grave difficulties of making the craft and their crews available and the need to reduce the maintenance commitment.

5.

We therefore consider that the provision of craft to lift two companies and some supporting arms would init- ially at least meet the minimum nēēds of the defence of Hong Kong.

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