CO537-5001 — Page 36

TOP SECRET

ANNEX

DIRECTIVE TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL F.W. FESTING,

C.B. C.B.E.2 D.S.0.

This directive is issued to you in your capacity as Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong.

Task

2.

You are to defend the British Colony of Hong Kong, which includes the Leased Territories, and to assist the Governor in maintaining internal security.

You will therefore take such military action as you consider necessary to prepare against attack and, in con- sultation with the Governor, to maintain law and order. Should an attack on the Colony develop you will take all measures necessary to defeat it and restore the situation in the Colony.

Relationship with the Governor of Hong Kong

3.

You will advise the Governor in all matters affecting he defence of the Colony, ineluding the employment, in an emergency, of the Police and of any Civil Defence forces which may be raised.

You

You have been sent a copy of the instructions to the Governor further defining your relationship with him. are to be guided by this instruction.

Command

4. forces:

5.

You are in operational command of the following

Local Naval forces based permanently at Hong Kong

and such additional Naval forces as are assigned by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station for the defence of Hong Kong.

Land Forces based in Hong Kong

Air Forces based in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Forces.

You will be responsible for the preparation of plans for the defence of Hong Kong and for the co-ordination of the training of all forces under your command for this purpose.

6.

directly

Superior Authority. You are responsible to the Commanders-in-Chief Committee, Far East, through them to the B.D.C.C.

7.

Service Commanders.

In your capacity as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Hong Kong, you will be in direct command of the Land Forces in Hong Kong.

You will exercise command of Naval and Air Forces through the Senior Naval Officer, Hong Kong and the Air Officer Commanding, Hong Kong, respectively. The Naval Commander-in- Chief, Far East Station will designate the Senior Naval Officer, Hong Kong, dependent on the strength of the naval forces assigned for the defence of the Colony.

-1-

TOP SECRET