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Introduction
MILITARY ASSISTANCE IN EVACUATION
OF BRITISH SUBJECTS FROM HONG KONG
1. In certain circumstances it may become necessary to consider the evacuation of British subjects from Hong Kong. Normally
this would be the responsibility of HM Governer using civilian
and
shipping aircraft.
In the event that sufficient civilian lift
could not be made available, HM Governor might consider using military assistance in the evacuation. This would be provided by
forces already in the theatre and by forces stationed in the United Kingdom.
2.
Our position in Hong Kong depends on the maintenance of
the Colony public confidence in Any normal plan for the evacuation of British subjects from Hong Kong would be bedevilled by the danger of leakage of information, with the consequential adverse effects on the maintenance of this confidence. Such a decline in confidence could immediately start to jeopardise the internal security situation leading to a mass influx over the border, and the consequent loss of control. In such circumstances it would not be possible to fulfil such a plan.
Scope.
3. This paper is to outline the details of an evacuation plan which would take place under ideal conditions, i.e. if we could assume that civilian and military authorities retained full control of the internal security situation, which would become an increas- ingly difficult task as the evacuation progressed.
Assumptions.
4.
It would he have to be assumed that:
a. The planning of the evacuation of the large numbers envisaged could not be carried out covertly, but would require the full assistance of the civilian and military authorities in Hong Kong.
b. The internal security situation within the Colony could by maintained:
(1) to permit the timely assembly of evacuees.
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