CO129-591-18 Liberation of Hong Kong- arrangements for Japanese surrender 15-8-1945 - 19-4-1946 — Page 145

TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM.

DESPATCHED BY O.T.P.

OZ 5353.

145

43

IMMEDIATE.

FROM:

TO:

REPEATED:

5353

A. M.S.S.O.

TOO 251855Z.

TOD 252020Z.

Major-General Hayes, Chungking.

General Carton de Wiart.

C in C British Pacific Fleet. J. S. M.

General Gairdner, S...C.S.E.A.

24th. August 1945.

Following from Chiefs of Staff.

Reference paragraph 3 of Chungking

37telegram no. 931.

1.

You should give following information to General Wedemeyer and Chinese military authorities:-

(4)

(B)

Initial force for occupation of Hong Kong will be Naval Task Force consisting of 8 minesweepers, 4 destroyers, 3 cruisers, including 1 anti-aircraft, 2 aircraft carriers, 1 submarine depot ship and 1 hospital ship under command of Rear Admiral Harcourt and assisted by R.A. F. airfield constructional personnel of V.L. R. Force now in the Pacific, and an advance party of personnel for prisoners of war camps in Hong Kong. forces will be re-enforced as quickly as possible by an Infantry Brigade sent by sea from S.A.C.S.E.A.

The se

Object and objectives of these forces will be:-

(1) to accept the surrender of Japanese;

(2)

to administer the Island of Hong Kong, Kawloon Port and the Leased territories, undertaking, so far as the conditions of the port allow, to give full facilities through Hong Kong area for assistance to Allied prisoners of war and to support Chinese and American forces who may still either be engaged against the enemy or involved in