CO537-4999 — Page 64

EXTRACT FROM C.O.S.(49)

4.4 MEETING HELD

29-6.4914-2

7.

AIR REINFORCEMENTS FOR HONG KONG

(TOP SECRET)

(Previous Reference: C.0.S.(49) 91st Meeting, Minute 4)

THE COMMITTEE had before them a telegram* from the Commanders-in-Chief Committee, Far East, expressing concern that the air reinforcements for Hong Kong would not arrive in time to deal with the possible threat from small Communist forces which might arrive in the Canton area by mid-July

•

X

LORD TEDDER pointed out that at a previous discussion which had been quoted by the Minister of Defence to the Cabinet it had been decided that, since the likely threat to Hong Kong might develop early in September, reinforcements should arrive by then. This date had been worked to throughout for arranging the reinfocements and there seemed no reason to change it. He could not see that there was any increase in the likelihood of air threat to the Colony.

LORD FRASER confirmed that H.M.S. OCEAN with air reinforcements would arrive in Hong Kong mid-August.

In discussion, there was general agreement that we had no evidence to justify any change in the previous appreciation that the earliest likely threat would be early in September, or that there was any indication of an increase in the air threat which the local air forces could not deal with. There did not therefore appear to be any sound reasons for the misgivings expressed in the telegram.

NT

NT

THE COMMITTEE:

X

+x*

Instructed the Secretary to draft a reply to the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East, and to circulate it for approval.

SEACOS 925

c.o.s.(49) 73rd Meeting.

108- C.P. (49) 118

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TOP SECRET