CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong telegram No. 1545 to Commonwealth Office
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attempt would lead to an unnecessary escalation while negotiations were still going on.
5. Towards dusk with failing light reducing the chances of escalation, one Gurkha company 1/7 G.R. moved under cover in a wide sweep West of the bridge in the hope of outflanking the market area and getting to the bridge through the Western gap before Knight was hustled across. As it became darker and Knight was being moved closer to the bridge it became clear that negotiations had failed. A wwwrescue operation was launched down the road led by three armoured cars,
the second carrying Gurkhas and followed by a company on foot. The C.T. labourers fled but got over the bridge with Knight before the first armoured car could block it.
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The tactical problem for the military was that they could not reach the compound sufficiently quickly because of the various obstacles and the open ground a rescue force had to cover. There was also the danger of escalation. Within the limitations which these factors imposed and restrained by the necessity to give negotiations every chance, the Gurkhas did all they could. With regard to your 99)telegram No. 2115, I am satisfied that the Gurkhas did their best and that the Daily Telegraph comment does not reflect the view of the C.P. or the Police Force as a whole.
Sir D. Trench
Sent 0917Z 18 October Recd 0939Z 18 October
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