083/5555.
SECR 1810 17/6/27
PARAPHRASE
SECRET.
From:- The War Office
To:-
G.O.C., Hong Kong.
General Duncan, G.O.C., Shanghai Defence Force.
O.C.Troops, Tientsin.
93370 cipher M.0.1. 17/6.
26
136
Command of all British troops on shore in China Forth of the
Yangtse will be assumed by you from this date in addition to your
present duties. Your responsibilities and method of employment of
your troops will be similar to those with which as G.0.0.Shanghai
Defence Force you are now charged. Relations will continue as
heretofor between you es Commander of the British troops in North
China and the Commanders of the other foreign contingents in North
China. You will therefore act in co-operation with them but will not command nor be commanded by an officer of any foreign contingent. No redistribution of your forces as between Shanghai and elsewhere
will be made without the pricr sanction of the Army Council. You should keep in mind always the policy of His Majesty's Government
which is that other foreign powary should mainly bear the defence of North China and that British reinforcements for this purpose should be limited. It is also considered by His Majesty's Government that the other foreign powers may interpret any premature reinforcement by us as a willingness on our part to take over the main defence in North China.
Your headquarters or such portions of it as you deem advisable may be moved at your discretion to any place within: your command. The advisability however should be considered of retaining Colonel Heath in executive command in North China until such time as the force at his disposal exceeds the capacity of command of a Brigade Commander and his staff.
·
Addressed G.0.0,Shanghai Defence Force, Shanghai, repeated G.O.C., Hong Kong, 0.C.Troops Tientsin.
0.4.(Telegrams) Copies to:- ARMY COUNCIL. D.M.O & I. D.D.K.0 & I. M.0.1.1A.10 M.1.1.2.20. D.S.D. D.D.S.D.(0). S.D.2. D..T. D.P.S. A.G.3.4. D.M.S. H.S.1. D.R.O. D.D.R.O. A.G.1.1A.10.2.6.7. D..Q. D.A.Q.M.G(M). Q.M.G.1.3.4.5.6.7.8.9 A.D.Tn. D.S.T. D.E.O.S. D.G.A.L.S. AD.1. D.G.A.V.S. D.F.W. D.F.(A)(B)(C) F.W.3.4. F1.2. Prime Minister.Sir.Maurice Hankey.S.of S.for Foreign Affairs. Sir Wr.Tyrrell. F.O.(Mr.Ashton-Gwatkin). First Lord of Admiralty. Lord Boatty.Ad(D.F.I.) Ad(D.O.D.) Ad(D.of P.).S.of S.for Colonies. C.O.(Mr Clauson). C.O.(Sir.J.E.Shuckburgh). Š.of S.for India, 1.0.(Cclenel Freeland). S.or S、for Air. C.A.S.(Air Ministry).D.C.A.S.(Air Ministry). D.D.O..(Air Ministry). R.Tels (Air Ministry).
Page 130Page 131
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.