TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 71

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PART III THE DISTURBANCES

51

the fires were put out. No. 2 platoon was left in the area whilst the other platoons, after a brief rest, carried out curfew enforcement patrols in the Mong Kok area.

172. Meanwhile, the Kowloon City company, in accordance with instructions, had been making its way north in circumstances of some difficulty and had de- bussed at the Dundas Street junction at 2.05 a.m., forming cordons at the junctions of Dundas Street with Portland, Shanghai and Reclamation Streets and Canton Road. They were attacked intermittently from both sides by groups of 10 to 20 youths throwing missiles and, on one occasion, a mob of about 150 appeared on Nathan Road. This was dispersed with the aid of tear smoke. The first platoon then secured the junction of Nathan Road and Dundas Street whilst Nos. 2 and 3 platoons moved northwards to Soy Street securing the side streets on route. Continuous police action in the general area between Waterloo Road and Shan- tung Street with considerable use of tear smoke had gradually suppressed the rioting and at 2.30 a.m., Mr. SUTCLIFFE had reported to Colony Headquarters that he thought the situation in Kowloon was coming under control. By 3 a.m. things were generally quieter.

173. 'A' Company, 1st Bn. The Queen's Own Buffs patrolled in the Waterloo Road area to assist in curfew enforcement from 4.45 a.m. Other units of Her Majesty's Forces had reported to police stations but no other units were deployed in the streets for the purpose of suppressing riots during this evening.

174. Traffic Diversion. One motorist complained to us that on the night of the 6/7th he was diverted into, rather than away from, the danger area west of Nathan Road. It may be that there was an individual error on this occasion and, as we shall see, additional precautions were taken on the following night. We had no other indication that in general the important but difficult task of diverting traffic in a changing situation did not receive adequate attention.

175. Summary. From the preceding account of the events of this night it is evident that no clear and concise summary is possible. One incident led on to another and the pattern was kaleidoscopic though repetitive. A crowd would gather to take part in demonstrations or to watch the banner-bearing groups in Nathan Road: it would gradually swell in size and one or two members would start to throw things at passing vehicles or to break traffic signs or parking meters, an example that proved contagious; when the police arrived, stones and other missiles were thrown. The police would give warnings and then use batons or tear smoke to break up the crowds. The crowds would disperse into side streets or up stair- cases and re-appear when the police party had moved on. Although elements of groups broken up at one point by the police would probably tend to re-appear at another, there was little evidence of any co-ordination of the mobs or of any direct targets of attack: in particular, no damage was done to the Star Ferry Co.'s property. The main damage was to the obvious targets in the streets such as cars,