CO129-591-16 Liberation of Hong Kong- arrangements in the event of the collapse of Japan 3-8-1945 - 1-8-1950 — Page 91

TOMATENGER BENDINA 94. PATIOSIS ARDHURIKENNE ON SIGMARKET SEkas?

REON: 27 WANGARREN KENK MERZENS GUE

Top Secret.

et

Prime Minister

592

The Chiefs of staff are considering the question

of the association of British Forces with an operation,

#

based on Fort Bayard in China, for the recapture of Canton Pod Hong

and Hong Kong, by Chinese forces with American

2

participation.

The Colonial Office is concerned from the

point of view of the necessary arrangements for the

re-establishment of British authority in Hong Kong on the

liberation of the Colony.

Apart however from the British interest in that

projected operation, I think that the time has come to

consider the arrangements to be made to ensure the

restoration of British authority in Hong Kong in the event

of a general capitulation of the Japanese forces.

I suggest that, to meet this contingency,

arrangements should now be prepared whereby suitable

British forces (e.g. two or three fest moving Fleet units)

should have orders to make for Hong Kong on a given signal,

and be well placed for the purpose, in the event of its

becoming likely that a general Japanese surrender is

ATENTIEL 7D20, ARTERIAIS JE NEJAUNIMEDIATEL <SEVERNESS GANNETTAINMEN LAKELAND VASARAMASI

imminent,

ENPALES GRESOSTAGES AR MUMS