CO129-591-16 Liberation of Hong Kong- arrangements in the event of the collapse of Japan 3-8-1945 - 1-8-1950 — Page 93

DRAFT

Mr. Paskin 9/8.

Mr. Gent 9/8

Sir G. Gater.

(54144/40)

er.9/8

4N 10/8

91

54144/40(1)

TOP SECRET

Draft Minute to Prime Minister.

(for signature by the S. of s.).

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

and Hong Kong, by Chinese forces with American 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 fast 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

imminent, with the object of reaching the Colony and

establishing British control with the least possible

interval after the capitulation becomes effective.

The senior or other suitable officer should

be equipped with the necessary commission to assume

governing powers.

If this is agreed, arrangements should be made,

if possible, for the nucleus of a British Civil Affairs

Unit to be suitably placed to accompany such a force. The

nucleus of such a unit already exists in the form of a

(civilian)/

1