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accepted, they are likely to have to face a long haul of trouble which, if not always active, is at least over-present as a threat, I consider that serious consideration should be given by all those there to the evolution of a method of working together which will respond very rapidly to immediate crises or incidents, but yet allow policy over short and long term periods to be calmly evolved and systematically applied. The organisation should be more economical both in manpower on duty and in calls on the time of key people who have many different things of importance to do. I received the impression that too many people spent too long in too many meetings where too many people were speaking and certainly listening for too long. This problem is not a new one and has been faced and solved by colonial governments, police and the military in emergencies elsewhere, I believe that it would be wise to recognise that Hong Kong faces a situation which, although not styled as such, is in effect an emergency, and to adjust the methods of all concerned accordingly.
Military Command Organisation
18.
The new organisation approved by the Chiefs of Staff in COS 34/67 of 7th April 1967 and implemented on 1st May 1967, has not worked entirely smoothly, although I believe it to be sound in principle. The point made in COS 2nd Meeting/67, Minute 3, sub-paragraph b, has been borne out by experience; ie that 90% if not more of the business of CBF has been concerned with Land Forces and with the security of the Colony which is primarily a Land Forces affair. This has convinced CBF himself that his post must be held by a soldier and could not appropriately be held by a senior officer of another Service. It has also convinced him, the Commodore and his Chief Staff Officer himself that the post of Chief Staff Officer to CBF should also be held by a Colonel (Army or RM) and not by a Group Captain. The present occupant is anxious to be relieved by a Colonel as soon as possible. Commander Far East Air Force, who accompanied me and discussed this with CBF and myself, fully supports this, as do Commanders Far East Fleet and Far East Land Forces. This of course then raises the problem of the rank of the Senior RAF Officer in the Colony and the best method of providing air advice to the CBF. The Station Commander of RAF Kai Tak is a Wing Commander and a good one, whom the Air Commander would not wish to move. My recommendation is that if the Chiefs of Staff agree to CSO to CBF being a Colonel (Army or RM), the Station Commander should in principle be a Group Captain, and we should re-examine how air advice should be provided.
I am
19. CBF would still like to be freed of his responsibilities as Land Forces Commander and to see his Deputy and Chief of Staff (Brigadier) replaced by a GOC Land Forces (Major- General). I discussed all aspects of this proposal again with him and with the Officer Administering the Government. convinced that it has more disadvantages than advantages. I foresee confusion of authority and perhaps advice between the CBF and the GOC, who would of course have to replace the Commodore as the officer who took CBF's place in the latter's absence from the Colony. It could not but lead to an undesirable increase in staffs. Even if the situation deteriorates and reinforcements on the maximum scale are required, I am convinced
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