+
to either American or to Chinese forces.
For this reason
also the Colonial Office hope that British forces should
actively
urge that sh 54. be associated with the operation.
every effort
sh' be made to ensure that
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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited.
It is issued for the personal use of Charmers, Co
TOP SECRET
Copy No
No.5
J.P.(45) 200 (3) (T. of R.)
8TH AUGUST, 1945.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTE
JOINT PLANNING STAFF
FUTURE OPERATIONS FROM CHINA
Note by the Secretary
At their meeting yesterday the Chiefs of Staff discussed a Signal from C.-in-C. British Pacific Fleet, stating that General Wedemeyer intends to open a port at Fort Bayard and to begin building up supplies there during August. The Signal adds that C.-C. Pacific is providing officers for "Fort Bayard and Hong Kong Canton Port planning and operation". The Chiefs of Staff instructed the Joint Planning Staff to examine this proposition and to recommend, in consultation with the Colonial Office, what action was required to associate British forces with its planning and its subsequent developments.
2.
In the course of discussion, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff suggested that the re-opening of Fort Bayard was unlikely to lead to the rapid capture of Hong Kong, since the Japanese opposition in that are was very strong. Before suggesting that Admiral Hountbatten should make arrangements to be associated with the proposition, he thought that some official agreement on the subject should be reached with the United States Chiefs of Staff.
3.
The Chief of the Air Staff suggested that if it were decided to form some British force to take port eventually in the re-entry into Hong Kong, such a force might, by arrangement with General MacArthur, be mounted in Manila.
4. Sir Hastings Ismay, muggested thrt the unite tales Chie's of Staff. should be informed what we would like to be
associated with any operations which involved our own territories and to receive sufficient informat ion of these plans to enable us to provide a contribution to the operations.
5.
The last official summary of the situation in this theatre of operations is given in C.C.S. 093/1 (TERMINAL), which makes mention of the possibility of opening the port at Fort Bayard.
The Strategical Planning Section is invited to prepare a draft report, in consultation with the Jolonial Office.
6.
(Signed) M.F. BERRY.
Offices of the Cabinet and
Minister of Defence, 3.W.1.
+ C.Ó.S.(45) 192nd Meeting. * 030629Z/August - Annex
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