CO129-589-4 Air raid precautions- supply of equipment 1-11-1940 - 24-1-1941 — Page 3

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م عكس تاد

relies upon the perentorn

·large mases

کا بول با

form the maculand

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10

the

coming island. We must ther for avoid attracting them to the Island by must provide shelter

peered (3)

2

1.11.40.

This long and interesting report on the

for

A.R. P. measures being taken in Hong Kong originated from recommendations of the Chiefs of Staff that these preparations should be brought up to the greatest efficiency possible. The despatch does show that the Hong Kong Government have become increasingly aware of the importance of these precautions and have considerably expanded in the light of events their own ideas of what should be done. It will be seen, instance, that at the beginning of the war they considered tunnelling impossible in view of the expense, and as far as shelters for the general public were considered thought it sufficient to provide trenches. Passing through an intermediate stage in which they experimented with sandbag breastworks, they finally, after a visit to Chungking by the Director of A.R.P., have recognised tunnelling as the best shelter and are prepared to go in for it on a fairly large scale, and have also adopted the provision of concrete surface shelters throughout the streets. In reaching this decision Commander Steele-Perkins was obviously much impressed by what he saw in Chungking which of course has passed through 2 - 3 years of fairly severe aerial bombardment with no very great defence against it. I gather from reports that the city is at present two-thirds in ruins, but that the loss of life has been comparatively small, This is due to the fact that Chungking was provided already with a system of cave dwellings extending deep into the banks of the Yangtse and the surrounding hills (which I believe are made of limestone and so more suitable for drilling than Hong Kong granite.

One other point which the Governor does not touch in his despatch occurs to me. Commander Steele- Perkins referred to the position of providing shelters in Kowloon. The defence scheme for Hong Kong envisages the abandonment of Kowloon to the Japanese reserving the main defence for the island itself. In these circumstances too expensive shelters, particularly tunnels in Kowloon seem undesirable since they might in the event prove useful shelter for Japanese beleaguering the island. At the same time, in the

interests of public morale, something must be done fin

this crowded industrial area.

Commander Steele-Perkins

suggested that $2,000,000 might be spent in Kowloon

as opposed to approximately $6,000,000 in the island. The Governor does not say in his covering despatch whether this proposal has been accepted.

There is no question of not approving the expenditure for which the Acting Governor asks

them in Kowloon approval, but you suggested that we might send copies

Enk

of the despatch to Brigadier Lucas and to Major Scott in case they would like to offer any suggestions which might be of use to Hong Kong.

JESTROYED UNDER STATUT Lucas

STROYED UNDER STATU

To Major Scott

9.1.41.

) secret,

16.1.41