CO129-505-2 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Force- formation of Hong Kong division. 26-5-1927 - 31-8-1927 — Page 12

CO. Pesentativ

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC KAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT!,

12.

13

DF. (25)-58.

Copy No.

10. 10.

COMITTER OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

OVERSEA DEFENCE COMMIMIDE.

SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE COLPOSITION AND ORGANISATION OF

LOCAL FORCES.

FONG KONG LOCAL FORCES.

Note by the Naval Steff.

Remarks on the significance of, and local forces

required at, Hong Kong, and an approximate estimate of the

personnel required for these services in the event of war

in the Far East and European war.

1.

Strategical Importance of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a naval anchorage of the greatest

importance, being the only defended advanced base from

which operations could be conducted against Japan in the

event of war with that country. It possesses large

repair facilities and eight docks, the two largest of

which can accommodate a "Kent" class cruiser. In

addition, it will be a convoy assembly port, roate giving

unit, an arming port for defensively equipped merchant

vessels, and, in the event of European war, a contraband

control base. There are stocks of naval oil fuel at

the port and there will eventually be storage capacity for

48,000 tons.

2.

Scule of Seaborne Attack.

As stated in C.I.D. Paper No. 169-C in the event

of war in the East, Hong Kong will be exposed to the

maximum scale of attack. In a European war, it is

considered that the scale of attuck to be anticipated will

bo:-

- 1.