CO129-591-16 Liberation of Hong Kong- arrangements in the event of the collapse of Japan 3-8-1945 - 1-8-1950 — Page 95

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?ражий 9/8

Im Pent Siny. Gater.

54144/40)

54144/40(1)

Sela draft

Draft Minute to Prime Minister.

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

TOP SECRET

93

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 ameneiated with the considerationof concerned

this matter from the point of view of the necessary

arrangements for the restoration of British authority in

Establishment.

the liberation of

the colony.

Hong Kong immediately on its recapture.

Си

I think that the time has come to consider what.

to

Apart Lewen B3ntech intact arrangements should be made, apart from those involved in from the in that hopected. operation,

She have

orders to make for

A

HK on

gun

Signal, be well pland +

be the

purpose,

The senior or other suitabl offering str

be equipped the necessary to

Lov

ausrim

To

The

any such operation, to ensure the restoration of British

authority in Hong Kong in the event of a general er locat inpitulation

vollapse of the Japanese forces.

I suggest that, to meet this contingency,

prepared where dey

arrangements should now be made for the immediata despateh to Hong Kong of suitable British forces (e.g. two or three

fast moving Fleet units) in the event of its becoming fast moving Fleet units) in

likely

apparent either that a general Japanese surrender is

imminent or that Japanese forces are withdrawing from intervals

لطة

Hong Kong, with

That

by reachin

This

to what y Colony and

and establishing Zubishi önderl

aftu

becomes:

with They porsche capotab Thossible) If this is agreed, arrangements should be made 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) Hong Kong

Planning Unit, working in the Colonial Office.

is about to be militarised.

This Unit

If you agree, I should be grateful if you would give instructions for the matter to be considered by the

Service Authorities in association with the Colonial Office.

assume govering

howers.

Lex

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