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Cailer.
52A
From:
CINC FE
To:
MOD UK
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090510z October
Date :
9.10.67
Recd: 14472
WARNING
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121
RTT/SEACOS 153.
For CDS from CINCFE.
Have had most useful discussion with Governor and CBF Hong Kong on short and long term factors affecting Garrison.
2,
Short term.
Present apparent lull recently broken may be connected with CPG desire to hold Canton Trade Fair and previous pattern of events may be resumed when it is over on 15 December, Governor considers therefore that present reinforced strength should be retained at least till early January 68. Have therefore agreed that relief 2/7 by 2/10 GR will proceed as planned and that helicopters will remain till then.
30
Governor considers possible that extra battalion could be needed throughout 1968. This would entail series of reliefs complicated by Aden Operations, Gurkha moves and training needs which COMFARELF has explained in letter to VCGS. I support his recommendation that dates of Jungle training of Battalion from UK be adjusted to allow it to take part in Hong Kong roulement in recess AXY",
40
Longer teza issues. By 1970 Far East Command will no longer have. Battalions available either for roulement or for rapid reinforcement unless a Commando kept permanently available for tuis task. Recommend therefore
that from 1970 onwards Hong Kong Garrison be permanently raised to strength of seven and two thirds Army Units by rotating unaccompanied Battalion Ex UK on six to nine month tour.
5
Governor and CBF agree.
V
In mid seventies we assume final Gurkha rundown and conversion of Garrison to UK Troops only. Bulk of these must be unaccompanied as family commituent of these numbers could not be accepted. We are all anxious to reduce commitment represented by families in a vent of trouble. Governor CBF and I all reemmmend that as Combat Unit reliefs take place in future they should change to unaccompanied tours. Battalion on Hong Kong Island and static units and headquarters would remain accorpanie d. Governor sees little difficulty V in presenting this without affecting colony confidence if introduced in this way.
6.
RAF presence, Governor and CBF would clearly like hot permanent fighter and helicopter presence. I have pointed out practical difficulties of former and of providing effective interception. Helicopter preseme could presumably only be at expense of either Far East or UK orbat,
I pointed out
that after Aden commituent LPH likely to be more often available for helicopter reinforcement. I recommend that RAF helicopters should be permanently based
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12.
in Hong Kong.
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