SECRET.
EXTRACT FROM
July 28th, 1942. 164
INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS PASSENGERS ON DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGE SHIPS
AT LOURENCO MARQUES.
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Approximately 40,000 Japanese troops were used to take Hongkong, but the Garrison there now is small probably not more than 1,000 regular soldiers. Nor have any attempts been made to fortify Hongkong, though defence works are in progress on the mainland at Kowloon, British troops, officers as well as other ranks, being employed on them.
At the Texas Oil plant at Hongkong the Japanese captured 570,000 gallons of petrol and twice as much kerosene. The Standard Oil plant at Kowloon fell into their hands intact, but the Asiatic Petroleum Company's plant was blown up.
Shipping losses in Hongkong were heavy.
Japanese troops specialise in night operations, for which purpose they have special rubber-soled boots. Their uniforms are covered with large stitches into which leaves could be put for camouflage. Japanese officers say that their best troops have all been moved up to the Russian border, and it is assumed among them that an attack on Russia will not be long delayed.
In Canton there are about 30,000 Japanese troops.
Officersrevolvers the Japs claim are good up to
200 metres.
Equipment is of leather, and in Indo-China compared very favourably with that of the French troops.
Kowloon and Taiko dockyards have been repaired and are in working order. Also naval dockyards. East Lammas channel into Hongkong only is being used.
Kai Tak aerodrome has been enlarged, but is not in use.
D. ATTEMPTS TO CREAT INDIAN 5th COLUMN:
Much effort has been concentrated on winning over Indians to the Japanese side. Pamphlets were dropped in Hongkong urging Indian troops to abandon resistance, and after the fall of Hongkong, Indian troops were ostentatiously given privileged treatment as compared with British and Dominion troops. Insome cases they were
allowed
i
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