TNAG-0059-FCO40-95-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 101

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C.

DP Note 27/67(A)

Flimsy Draft)(Continued)

armoured car squadrons, three light regiments and

seven infantry battalions, prior to the final

disbandment of the Gurkhas, and thereafter the

increase would be greater. Annex A to this Note

examines the implications in greater detail against

two possible courses of action:

Course A An all British garrison increased by

one battalion to 7 2/3 major units, all

of which will be unaccompanied except

for one battalion. The extra one

battalion to arrive in 1970, and the

Gurkhas to rundown to nil in 1972/74.

Course B The retention of a Brigade of Gurkhas

to provide a field squadron and four

battalions in Hong Kong, together with

a British element of one armoured car

squadron, one light regiment and two

infantry battalions. Of this total

force all would be accompanied, less the

armoured car squadron, the light regiment

and one British battalion.

(4) Under Course A the major implications fall upon

the infantry, and it would be necessary to keep all

sixteen battalions planned to disband between now and 1976, and delay the replacement of Gurkhas in Hong Kong

until the Persian Gulf commitment ends in 1975.

Under Course 3 it would be necessary to retain a

Gurkha forces of four infantry battalions permanently

deployed in Hong Kong from 1970 onwards.

Army Arms Plot. In the 1968/69 arms plot the plan is to change over the armoured car squadron, the light regiment and one infantry battalion. A change to unaccompanied

tours would involve a major alteration in this plot,

causing a chain reaction of implications. (See Annex A to this Note)

6-

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